What junk removal should charge in Illinois.
Fair billed labor here runs about $35–$57/hour, right at the median US state. Every number below comes from what material-moving laborers actually earn in Illinois; the math is on this page, in the open.
How much should junk removal charge in Illinois?
In Illinois, material-moving laborers earn $17.26–$22.87 per hour (median $19.50, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), right at the median US state for this trade. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, so fair billed labor in Illinois runs about $35–$57 per hour. For example, single-item pickup is about $15–$85 in fair labor, before materials.
Fair price by job
Single-item pickup
That assumes one appliance or furniture piece, curbside or garage; disposal fees are extra and real.
Typical labor: 0.5–1.5 hours at $35–$57/hr billed.
Half to full truckload
That assumes two workers loading; the dump fee on the invoice should match the landfill’s posted rates.
Typical labor: 2–5 hours at $35–$57/hr billed.
Before you hire in Illinois
No statewide general contractor license — cities license GCs (Chicago has its own system). Roofing contractors are state-licensed, and that one is worth checking every time.
How to verify a Illinois license · how to get comparable bids · track your quotes side by side (free, no account).
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Other fair price checks in Illinois
Compare junk removal rates across all states · all fair price checks