UA Local 281 publishes a journeyman base rate of $60.00 an hour, $94.35 an hour with the fringe package, effective 4/19/25. At 2,000 hours that base works out to about $120,000 a year on Chicago work.
Base rates only; fringes are paid on top. Sheet set last cross-checked 2026-09-01.
UA Local 281 publishes a journeyman base rate of $60.00 an hour effective 4/19/25, with a total package of $94.35 an hour including fringes — about $120,000 a year at 2,000 hours.
Union scale is a published, area-wide floor for signatory work. Merit-shop pay in Chicago, IL is negotiated per employer and varies with certification, shift and overtime. We recruit for both, and each opening lists the range the employer is working with.
Plumbers & Pipefitters, out of the hall in Chicago, IL. Jurisdiction and dispatch rules are set by the local — confirm with the hall before assuming a scope of work.
The figure comes from unionpayscales.com, effective 4/19/25, and our wage-sheet set was last cross-checked 2026-09-01. Agreements reset on their own cycles, so verify with the hall for the current period.
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