Salary comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Minneapolis vs Rockford
Minneapolis, MN pays about 7.9% more for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters on paper — $101,630 vs $94,230. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Minneapolis comes out ahead by $7,400 a year in real buying power.
Minneapolis, MN
$101,630
$65,290
$114,980
$48.86
100
$101,630/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Rockford, IL
$94,230
$64,060
$118,370
$45.31
100
$94,230/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $7,400 a year (7.9%) in favor of Minneapolis. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Minneapolis runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Rockford sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Minneapolis is the better deal by $7,400 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Rockford to Minneapolis for this role, the raise needs to beat 7.9% 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, Minneapolis or Rockford?
Minneapolis pays $101,630 on median — about 7.9% more than Rockford ($94,230). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Minneapolis. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Minneapolis gives you roughly$101,630 of real buying power versus $94,230 in the other city.