If you’re researching how much roofing sales reps make in Illinois, you’ve probably seen everything from “$50K a year” to “$250K+.” The truth is: both can be real—depending on lead source, commission plan, role, and market (Chicago vs downstate).
This 2026 guide gives realistic income ranges, explains why the numbers vary so much, and shows how to estimate your earning potential before you take a job.
The realistic ranges for Illinois roofing sales reps (2026)
What pay data sites show (baseline)
Across Illinois, ZipRecruiter reports an average roofing sales / roofing sales representative pay around $76,854/year (as of Dec 2025), with a typical range shown roughly from about $57K (25th percentile) to about $108K+ (75th percentile), depending on the listing and role.
For Chicago, ZipRecruiter reports an average around $81,702/year.
Reality check: Glassdoor shows much higher numbers for “Roofing Sales” in Illinois/Chicago, but those particular estimates are based on very small sample counts (e.g., only a couple submitted salaries), so treat them as “possible outcomes,” not a dependable baseline.
A practical “real-world” range you can plan around
For most Illinois reps, especially in the Chicago metro, a realistic planning range looks like:
- Entry-level / first 3–6 months: $40K–$80K (depends heavily on training + lead flow)
- Solid rep with consistent activity: $70K–$130K
- Top performers (strong lead gen + strong closing + strong ops support): $150K–$250K+ (not typical, but achievable in the right setup—many job ads market this as “earnings potential”)
Why roofing sales pay varies so much
1) Lead source (this is the biggest driver)
- Company-provided leads: lower commission rate, higher close rate, more stability
- Self-generated (door-to-door / networking): higher commission potential, higher workload and rejection
2) Role type: canvasser vs closer vs “full-cycle”
- Canvasser/appointment setter: paid per set/sit/bonus (lower ceiling, faster ramp)
- Closer/inspector: higher ceiling, but your income depends on closing skill + job flow
- Full-cycle rep: highest upside but also the most responsibility
3) Retail vs insurance restoration
Insurance restoration can be lucrative, but it often includes:
- longer timelines
- supplements
- more paperwork and follow-up
That affects when you get paid as much as how much you get paid.
4) Commission plan design
Most roofing comp plans fall into a few models:
- % of total contract (often simpler)
- % of profit
- Profit splits (like 10/50/50)
The same “10% commission” can mean:
- 10% of the full contract (great), or
- 10% of profit after costs (completely different paycheck)
What Illinois reps typically earn by commission structure
These are common ranges discussed in roofing compensation guidance (always confirm what the percentage is based on):
- 5%–12% of gross contract value (varies with support, lead type, and responsibilities)
- 30%–50% of profit (profit-share plans, including 10/50/50-style setups)
And yes—many companies advertise $100K–$250K “earning potential,” which typically assumes consistent production and strong conversion.
A simple way to estimate your earnings (before you take the job)
Use this quick model:
- How many appointments will you run per week?
- What’s your close rate? (new reps: 10–20%; solid reps: 20–35%+ depending on lead type)
- Average job size? (varies widely—Chicago suburbs often higher than downstate)
- Commission basis and payout timing? (contract vs start vs completion vs collected)
Example (percentage of contract plan)
- 6 appointments/week
- 25% close rate → 1.5 deals/week (≈6/month)
- $15,000 average job
- 8% commission on contract
Monthly commission: 6 × $15,000 × 0.08 = $7,200/month (~$86K/year before taxes)
Example (profit split plan)
If your plan is profit-based, your income depends on margin + cost control. That’s why you must ask how “profit” is defined and tracked.
The questions Illinois reps should ask before accepting an offer
Do not accept “uncapped commissions” without these answers in writing:
- Is it W2 or 1099?
- Is commission based on gross contract or profit?
- When do commissions pay: at contract, start, completion, or after final collection?
- Do supplements/change orders count toward commission?
- What support do you get: leads, training, CRM, estimator, production coordination?
- What’s the company’s cancellation rate and average time-to-install?
If they can’t explain the math clearly, that’s a red flag.
Bottom line: what you can realistically make in Illinois
If you’re consistent and join a company with real lead flow and strong operations, roofing sales in Illinois can realistically land in the $70K–$130K range for solid performers, with higher upside for strong closers who generate leads and run a tight pipeline. ZipRecruiter’s Illinois averages around the mid-$70Ks give a reasonable baseline, especially for newer reps.
Want a real conversation about earnings and growth in Chicagoland?
If you’re a rep (or you’re hiring reps) and you want to sanity-check a pay plan, we’ll talk straight.
Allied Emergency Services, Inc.
Phone: 800-792-0212
Email: info@alliedemergencyservices.com
