What this means Our calculation
23 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $102,140. Prices run 8% 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 (5.4%) and the population is shrinking (-0.3% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Rockford Government data
All 28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $102,140 | +32% | $110,836 | 490 | #20 |
| Ironworker | $100,290 | +57% | $108,829 | 190 | #12 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $97,250 | +63% | $105,530 | 260 | #11 |
| Plumber | $94,230 | +53% | $102,253 | 440 | #13 |
| Electrician | $93,280 | +49% | $101,222 | 370 | #22 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $78,640 | +28% | $85,335 | 150 | #38 |
| Brickmason | $78,080 | +24% | $84,728 | 40 | #23 |
| Concrete Finisher | $75,320 | +32% | $81,733 | 140 | #18 |
| HVAC Technician | $75,070 | +26% | $81,461 | 190 | #32 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $75,010 | +47% | $81,396 | 50 | #1 |
| Carpenter | $72,770 | +30% | $78,966 | 810 | #39 |
| Painter | $72,700 | +53% | $78,890 | 130 | #3 |
| Building Inspector | $72,330 | +7% | $78,488 | 50 | #130 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $72,000 | +13% | $78,130 | 320 | #93 |
| Roofer | $65,100 | +30% | $70,643 | 180 | #20 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $62,460 | +0% | $67,778 | 70 | #155 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,020 | +1% | $66,215 | 310 | #167 |
| Construction Laborer | $58,390 | +25% | $63,361 | 830 | #46 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $57,780 | +12% | $62,699 | 110 | #88 |
| Maintenance Technician | $53,610 | +11% | $58,174 | 1,980 | #77 |
| Welder | $50,200 | -4% | $54,474 | 870 | #244 |
| Flooring Installer | $49,980 | -11% | $54,235 | 40 | #48 |
| Insulation Installer | $49,740 | +3% | $53,975 | 40 | #41 |
| Machinist | $49,700 | -13% | $53,931 | 1,800 | #301 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,110 | -2% | $52,206 | 730 | #232 |
| Pest Control Technician | $45,440 | +2% | $49,309 | 40 | #82 |
| Landscaper | $37,770 | +1% | $40,986 | 920 | #181 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $31,200 | -53% | $33,856 | 40 | #235 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Rockford
The Rockford area has about 145,415 homes. 59% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 3% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 68% of households own their home, and the median home value is $188,400.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Rockford Government data
In an average year, Rockford has 15 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 136 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 69 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 37 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 82°F and winter nights 18°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Rockford Gtr Rockford Airport, IL station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Rockford area's population shrank 0.3% from 2020 to 2025 (338,283 → 337,242), ranking #305 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -480).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Rockford are up 35% from 2021 to 2025 (280 → 377). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Rockford area is 24 minutes each way, about the same as the typical metro (24 min). 13% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 78% drive alone, 0% 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.