Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $68,280 a year ($32.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,580 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $51,330. Pay here is 23% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $55,380. There are 0.51 structural metal fabricators and fitters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,340, close to the median.
Pay range for structural metal fabricators and fitters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Median | $68,280 | $32.83 |
| 75th percentile | $68,580 | $32.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,580 | $32.97 |
| Average (mean) | $62,340 | $29.97 |
Half of structural metal fabricators and fitters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,690 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,845 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,626.15 |
| Weekly | $1,313.08 |
| Hourly | $32.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $65,850 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,120 | 230 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $60,180 | 200 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $55,750 | 480 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $55,250 | 380 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $54,030 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,170 | 200 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $49,960 | 410 |
| Muncie, IN | $49,670 | 50 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,310 | 100 |
| Peoria, IL | $48,250 | 230 |
| Kokomo, IN | $46,380 | 30 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $45,790 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $45,740 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for structural metal fabricators and fitters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maine | $64,760 |
| Alaska | $63,420 |
| Oregon | $62,220 |
| Massachusetts | $62,040 |
| Washington | $61,850 |
| Indiana | $60,180 |
| Connecticut | $58,760 |
| Idaho | $58,140 |
| California | $57,590 |
| Wisconsin | $56,310 |
See Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,650 | $20.99 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Machinist | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Baker | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,650 | $25.31 |
| Food Batchmaker | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,580 | $22.39 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural metal fabricators and fitters make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for structural metal fabricators and fitters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $68,280 a year, or $32.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid structural metal fabricators and fitters make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of structural metal fabricators and fitters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $68,580 a year. The top 25% earn $68,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for structural metal fabricators and fitters in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,020 a year, and a quarter of structural metal fabricators and fitters earn $58,240 or less.
How many structural metal fabricators and fitters work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,290 structural metal fabricators and fitters are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.