Quick answer: Handymen in Illinois typically bill $60–$80 per hour (2025). The median handyman earns $27.27/hr ($56,720/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a handyman business charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what handymen earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Illinois compares to other states.
Handyman income in Illinois (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Illinois's ~66,600 maintenance, and repair workers, general:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.36 | ~$3,009 | ~$36,109 |
| Median (typical) | $27.27 | ~$4,727 | $56,720 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $38.82 | ~$6,729 | ~$80,746 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a handyman takes home. What a handyman business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median handyman wage (earned) | ~$27/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$80/hr |
Where Illinois ranks
Illinois pays handymen 14% above the national median, ranking 10th of 51 states — among the highest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $29.00 |
| Illinois (10th) | $27.27 |
| National median | $23.84 |
| Lowest — West Virginia | $18.70 |
Handyman rates by Illinois metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median handyman wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur | $29.51/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $27.90/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $27.27/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $26.22/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Rockford | $25.78/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $25.62/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $24.89/hr | $55–$75/hr |
What common handyman jobs cost in Illinois
At Illinois billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Illinois range |
|---|---|
| Service call / small job | $125–$275 |
| TV mounting | $125–$400 |
| Furniture assembly | $100–$350 |
| Drywall repair | $175–$575 |
| Faucet / fixture swap | $125–$400 |
| Door repair / adjustment | $125–$450 |
| Shelving / wall mounting | $125–$450 |
| Caulking & sealing | $125–$400 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $175–$450 |
| Gutter cleaning | $125–$400 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How handymen compare to other trades in Illinois
Here's how handyman pay lines up against Illinois's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $48.05/hr | $105–$145/hr |
| Electrician | $47.87/hr | $105–$145/hr |
| Carpenter | $37.98/hr | $85–$115/hr |
| Painter | $29.45/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Handyman | $27.27/hr | $60–$80/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free handyman estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do handymen need a license in Illinois?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Illinois contractor & trade licensing to check whether handymen need a state license in Illinois, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do handymen charge per hour in Illinois?
In 2025, most Illinois handymen bill $60–$80 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $27/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average handyman salary in Illinois?
The median handyman in Illinois earns about $56,720 a year ($27.27/hr). Entry-level handymen earn around $36,000 and the most experienced earn $81,000 or more.
Do handymen earn more in Illinois than nationally?
Yes — Illinois's median handyman wage is about 14% above the national median of $23.84/hr, ranking 10th of 51 states.
Which Illinois city pays handymen the most?
Decatur, at a $29.51/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.