Industrial Trades Profile for the Greater Chicago Area

Chicago and industry go together like Chicago polish dogs and caramelized onions. The third most populous city in the United States is home to some of the world’s largest businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sectors.

Historically, Chicago has always been a place where industry has thrived. This is due in part to its central location, with opportunities for trade by land throughout the Midwest or by water through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. It also is home to one of the busiest airports, O’Hare International Airport. Since its founding in 1833, Chicago has attracted a large base of immigrants that have shaped the rich and inclusive character of the city. This large influx of capable workers has always put Chicago at the forefront of manufacturing and big industry.

As of 2016, Chicago had a total gross domestic product, a measure of the output of its economy, of $651 billion, third only to New York ($1.7 trillion) and Los Angeles ($1.0 trillion). Chicago also has one of the world’s largest and most diversified urban economies, with no single industry employing more than 12 percent of the workforce. This is great news for those that have been looking for a place to develop their career in the industrial trades, where opportunities are abundant, and the economy is relatively recession-proof (compared to other industry-concentrated metropolitan areas around the Rust Belt).

Let’s take a look at an in-depth look at what sets Chicago apart as a place to work as an industrial trades professional.

Major industrial sectors in Chicago

Chicago’s diverse industrial sectors include aerospace (Boeing) and heavy industrial (Caterpillar). The Chicago area is home to 31 Fortune 500 companies, including:

• Boeing
• ADM
• Exelon
• Abbott Laboratories
• Illinois Tool Works
• Caterpillar
• Tenneco
• LKQ Corporation
• Dover Corporation
• Anixter
• Baxalta
• Baxter
• Motorola Solutions

Pay levels/rates in Chicago

The average manufacturing salary in Chicago is $79,708 per year, which is significantly higher than the average pay of all employees living in Chicago, who make an average salary of $62,572 (as of Q4 in 2017). This compensates somewhat for the cost-of- living in Chicago, which is 23 percent higher than the national average.

Below are hourly pay, total pay and salary levels for industrial trades occupations in Chicago (all stats as of March 2018; Source: www.payscale.com):

CNC Programmer

Hourly: Median: $23.50; 25% of positions above $25.00 (5% above national average)
Total Pay Range: $25,301 to $103,564

Tool & Die Maker

Hourly: Median: $27.81; 25% of positions above $30.00 (15% above national average)
Total Pay Range: $43,128 to $79,998

Quality Assurance Manager

Salary: Median: $80,276; 25% of positions above $100,000 (6% above national average)
Total Pay Range: $43,128 to $79,998

TIG Welder

Hourly: Median: $18.13; 25% of positions above $22.00
Total Pay Range: $51,573 to $124,043

Diesel Mechanic:

Hourly: Median: $23.79; 25% of positions above $30.00 (18% above national average)
Total Pay Range: $38,215 to $74,107

Trades schools in Chicago

Chicago is home to many educational programs and opportunities, which includes a plentiful choice of post-secondary schools, ranging from trade schools to career colleges to universities and technical programs.

Here is a list of trade schools in the Chicago Area:

• Oakton Community College
• Gateway Technical College
• Harper College
• Elgin Community College
• Moraine Valley Community College
• McHenry County College
• College of Lake County
• Morton College
• Waubonsee Community College
• College of DuPage
• South Suburban College
• Triton College
• Chicago ORT Technical Institute
• City Colleges of Chicago – Wilbur Wright College
• City Colleges of Chicago – Truman College
• City Colleges of Chicago – Richard J. Daley College
• City Colleges of Chicago – Kennedy-King College
• City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College
• City Colleges of Chicago – Malcolm X College
• Fox College
• Brightwood College – Hammond
• Joliet Junior College
• Kishwaukee College
• Prairie State College
• Universal Technical Institute – Lisle
• Northwester College – Bridgeview
• Lincoln College of Technology – Melrose Park
• Taylor Business Institute
• BIR Training Center
• First Institute
• State Career College
• Environmental Technical Institute
• Northwestern College – Chicago
• Symbol Training Institute

For a complete list of trades schools in Chicago and links, click here.

Unions in Chicago

Illinois is home to unions across many industries, with 15 percent of workers belonging to unions in 2017 (up from 14.5 in 2016). Union membership has steadily declined from approximately 35.6% in 1964 to current levels.

For a complete list of unions in Chicago and links, click here.

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If you are a skilled tradesman or tradeswoman with at least 3 years of experience in your trades and live in Chicago (or are considering a move to find work), consider contacting Industrial Trades Pro today. We can match your in-demand skills with top-tier employers in the Chicago area. Elevate your career today with Industrial Trades Pro and begin experiencing all that life in Chicago has to offer.