Hiring for plumbing work in Chicago? Start with the facts that are specific to Chicago and Illinois: who licenses the work, how to check a license, where permits come from, and what the local market looks like. Every figure below links to its official source.
Before you hire in Chicago: a checklist
- Look the plumber up in the official Illinois license lookup and make sure the name and license number match the contract.
- Ask for proof of the insurance or bond Illinois requires (listed below) and current workers' compensation coverage.
- Confirm who will pull the permit with City of Chicago Department of Buildings and that final inspection is included in the price.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same scope; our plumbing guide covers typical costs, questions to ask and red flags.
Plumbing licensing in Illinois
Under the Illinois Plumbing License Law, IDPH licenses plumbers and apprentice plumbers, and plumbing contractors must register with the state and pay an annual fee. Plumbing contractors must carry general liability, bodily injury, property damage and workers' compensation insurance.
| Who licenses it | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Plumbing Program |
|---|---|
| Insurance / bond | Plumbing contractors must maintain minimum general liability, bodily injury, property damage and workers' compensation insurance. |
| Check a license | Official license lookup (ildohplmprod.glsuite.us) |
Source: dph.illinois.gov, checked November 15, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the agency before you sign a contract.
Building permits in Chicago
Residential building permits for Chicago are issued by City of Chicago Department of Buildings. Permits are commonly required for water heaters, gas lines and repiping. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit and book the inspections; a contractor who asks you to pull it yourself is a warning sign.
Official permit office page, checked November 15, 2026.
Chicago's plumbing market: firms and pay
Census County Business Patterns counted 1,377 business locations with paid employees in Cook County in 2023 in the industry βplumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors,β employing 15,401 people. The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area was $103,380 (May 2025), higher than in most of the 108 metro areas we cover. Local pay levels feed directly into labor rates on quotes.
| Business locations (plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors) in Cook County | 1,377 |
|---|---|
| People employed at those locations | 15,401 |
| Share with fewer than 10 employees | 81% |
| Average annual payroll per employee | $88,300 |
| Median annual wage, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area | $103,380 |
Census counts plumbing and HVAC contractors together in one industry. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 238220; employer establishments only, so self-employed one-person businesses are not counted); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Checked November 15, 2026.
Seasonal notes for Illinois
Frozen and burst pipes are the signature plumbing risk in Illinois. Insulate exposed lines, disconnect hoses before winter and keep your main shutoff easy to reach.
Other trades in Chicago
More Chicago guides
Plumbing in other cities
AllCityPros is an independent information resource. We do not endorse, rate or vouch for any business, and nothing here is legal or professional advice. Licensing rules change; confirm requirements with the licensing agency before you sign a contract. Business counts and wages are official statistics for the county or metro area, not counts of businesses available to you.