What this means Our calculation
15 of 19 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is heavy equipment operators at $100,520. Prices run 12% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (5.8%) and the population is shrinking (-4.3% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Decatur Government data
All 19 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $100,520 | +68% | $113,682 | 100 | #8 |
| Carpenter | $87,220 | +55% | $98,641 | 180 | #5 |
| Electrician | $81,020 | +30% | $91,629 | 400 | #41 |
| HVAC Technician | $77,770 | +31% | $87,953 | 90 | #14 |
| Plumber | $76,750 | +25% | $86,800 | 180 | #85 |
| Construction Supervisor | $75,400 | -2% | $85,273 | 370 | #242 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $75,380 | +18% | $85,250 | 160 | #55 |
| Roofer | $74,640 | +49% | $84,413 | 60 | #13 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $73,410 | +18% | $83,022 | 40 | #73 |
| Ironworker | $64,830 | +1% | $73,319 | 40 | #77 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,790 | +4% | $71,012 | 110 | #111 |
| Maintenance Technician | $61,380 | +27% | $69,417 | 1,350 | #8 |
| Construction Laborer | $61,270 | +31% | $69,293 | 940 | #17 |
| Welder | $57,670 | +10% | $65,221 | 200 | #102 |
| Machinist | $56,980 | -0% | $64,441 | 60 | #183 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $54,500 | +5% | $61,636 | 40 | #149 |
| Painter | $48,510 | +2% | $54,862 | 50 | #155 |
| Auto Mechanic | $47,880 | -2% | $54,149 | 240 | #239 |
| Landscaper | $37,540 | +0% | $42,455 | 210 | #195 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Decatur
The Decatur area has about 49,522 homes. 76% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 1% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 70% of households own their home, and the median home value is $142,600.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Decatur Government data
In an average year, Decatur has 27 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), 113 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 66 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 84°F and winter nights 23°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Decatur Airport, IL station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.8% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Decatur area's population shrank 4.3% from 2020 to 2025 (103,761 → 99,300), ranking #385 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -2,967).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Decatur are up 15% from 2021 to 2025 (33 → 38). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Decatur area is 20 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 82% drive alone, 1% take transit and 6% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Illinois Official source
The main state licensing office in Illinois is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Most trades (including general contractors and electricians) are licensed locally; plumbers are licensed by the state health department. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Illinois licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 13.1% of wage and salary workers in Illinois were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#12 of 51 states and D.C.), and 14.0% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Illinois.