Salary comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Appleton vs Chicago
Chicago, IL pays about 12.7% more for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters on paper — $103,380 vs $91,750. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Chicago comes out ahead by $11,630 a year in real buying power.
Appleton, WI
$91,750
$61,040
$104,690
$44.11
100
$91,750/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Chicago, IL
$103,380
$74,300
$122,540
$49.70
100
$103,380/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $11,630 a year (12.7%) in favor of Chicago. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Appleton runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Chicago sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Chicago is the better deal by $11,630 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Appleton to Chicago for this role, the raise needs to beat 12.7% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more, Appleton or Chicago?
Chicago pays $103,380 on median — about 12.7% more than Appleton ($91,750). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Chicago. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Chicago gives you roughly$103,380 of real buying power versus $91,750 in the other city.