Salary comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Bloomington vs Champaign
Bloomington, IN pays about 1.5% more for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters on paper — $96,980 vs $95,530. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Bloomington comes out ahead by $1,450 a year in real buying power.
Bloomington, IN
$96,980
$63,980
$98,740
$46.63
100
$96,980/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Champaign, IL
$95,530
$65,920
$112,850
$45.93
100
$95,530/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $1,450 a year (1.5%) in favor of Bloomington. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Bloomington runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Champaign sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Bloomington is the better deal by $1,450 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Champaign to Bloomington for this role, the raise needs to beat 1.5% 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, Bloomington or Champaign?
Bloomington pays $96,980 on median — about 1.5% more than Champaign ($95,530). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Bloomington. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Bloomington gives you roughly$96,980 of real buying power versus $95,530 in the other city.