What this means Our calculation
10 of 16 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electricians at $105,500. Prices run 4% 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 (5.5%) and the population is shrinking (-1.7% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Kankakee Government data
All 16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $105,500 | +69% | $109,447 | 140 | #1 |
| Construction Supervisor | $100,640 | +30% | $104,405 | 140 | #22 |
| Carpenter | $95,280 | +70% | $98,844 | 120 | #1 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $94,270 | +58% | $97,797 | 90 | #17 |
| Plumber | $81,620 | +33% | $84,673 | 110 | #47 |
| Concrete Finisher | $65,130 | +14% | $67,566 | 40 | #43 |
| HVAC Technician | $62,570 | +5% | $64,911 | 50 | #110 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,410 | -2% | $64,745 | 130 | #248 |
| Maintenance Technician | $58,400 | +21% | $60,585 | 520 | #27 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $58,230 | -4% | $60,408 | 110 | #261 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $56,870 | +10% | $58,997 | 40 | #103 |
| Construction Laborer | $54,830 | +17% | $56,881 | 200 | #81 |
| Machinist | $47,930 | -16% | $49,723 | 100 | #330 |
| Welder | $47,460 | -9% | $49,235 | 230 | #332 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,190 | -8% | $46,881 | 320 | #342 |
| Landscaper | $37,100 | -1% | $38,488 | 220 | #227 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Kankakee
The Kankakee area has about 45,535 homes. 62% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 8% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 71% of households own their home, and the median home value is $213,300.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Kankakee Government data
In an average year, Kankakee has 21 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 129 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 70 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 21 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 83°F and winter nights 19°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Kankakee Metro Wastewater, IL station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.5% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Kankakee area's population shrank 1.7% from 2020 to 2025 (107,402 → 105,525), ranking #357 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -1,093).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Kankakee are down 19% from 2021 to 2025 (140 → 113). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Kankakee area is 25 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 17% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 77% drive alone, 1% take transit and 9% 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.