The national median plumber salary is $65,000 in 2026. Union membership, license level, and state can shift that figure by $50,000 or more. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Plumber Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | CoL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $98,000 | $58,000 | $79,700 |
| 2 | Illinois | $88,000 | $52,000 | $90,800 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $84,000 | $52,000 | $67,800 |
| 4 | Alaska | $82,000 | $52,000 | $72,900 |
| 5 | Washington | $80,000 | $48,000 | $72,700 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $79,000 | $48,000 | $70,500 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $78,000 | $47,000 | $66,100 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $77,000 | $46,000 | $77,000 |
| 9 | California | $76,000 | $45,000 | $54,700 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $75,000 | $45,000 | $67,600 |
| 11 | Oregon | $74,000 | $44,000 | $65,500 |
| 12 | Michigan | $73,000 | $44,000 | $76,800 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $72,000 | $43,000 | $74,700 |
| 14 | Nevada | $71,500 | $43,000 | $69,500 |
| 15 | Ohio | $71,000 | $42,000 | $76,500 |
| 16 | Indiana | $70,000 | $42,000 | $76,100 |
| 17 | Missouri | $69,500 | $41,000 | $77,400 |
| 18 | Maryland | $69,000 | $41,000 | $60,000 |
| 19 | Colorado | $68,500 | $41,000 | $61,400 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $68,000 | $41,000 | $72,500 |
| 21 | Iowa | $67,000 | $40,000 | $73,600 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $66,500 | $40,000 | $72,300 |
| 23 | Virginia | $66,000 | $40,000 | $64,100 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $65,500 | $41,000 | $72,600 |
| 25 | Kansas | $65,000 | $39,000 | $70,900 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $64,500 | $40,000 | $69,900 |
| 27 | Delaware | $64,000 | $39,000 | $63,500 |
| 28 | Montana | $63,500 | $38,000 | $68,800 |
| 29 | Utah | $63,000 | $39,000 | $61,600 |
| 30 | Texas | $62,500 | $38,000 | $63,100 |
| 31 | Rhode Island | $62,000 | $38,000 | $55,300 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $61,500 | $38,000 | $66,800 |
| 33 | Vermont | $61,000 | $37,000 | $58,700 |
| 34 | Maine | $60,500 | $37,000 | $62,400 |
| 35 | Idaho | $60,000 | $37,000 | $62,900 |
| 36 | New Hampshire | $59,500 | $37,000 | $55,100 |
| 37 | Arizona | $59,000 | $36,000 | $57,800 |
| 38 | Georgia | $58,500 | $36,000 | $59,100 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $58,000 | $36,000 | $65,400 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $57,500 | $35,000 | $67,600 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $57,000 | $35,000 | $63,100 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $56,500 | $35,000 | $60,300 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $56,000 | $34,000 | $60,200 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $54,000 | $34,000 | $57,900 |
| 45 | Florida | $53,000 | $33,000 | $53,000 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $46,000 | $31,000 | $48,900 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $45,000 | $31,000 | $47,900 |
| 48 | Alabama | $44,000 | $30,000 | $48,400 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $43,000 | $30,000 | $48,500 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $42,000 | $29,000 | $47,500 |
| — | National | $65,000 | $39,000 | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, 2025–2026 estimates. Figures cover Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). CoL-adjusted figures use regional cost-of-living indices.
Plumber Salary by License Level
| License Level | National Average | Hourly Rate | Years to Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $36,000 | $17/hr | Starting |
| Apprentice (Year 3) | $46,000 | $22/hr | 3 years |
| Journeyman Plumber | $65,000 | $31/hr | 4–5 years |
| Master Plumber | $86,000 | $41/hr | 8–12 years |
| Plumbing Contractor (owner) | $100,000–$200,000+ | Varies | 10+ years |
Union vs. Non-Union Plumber Pay
| Category | Union (UA) | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman hourly rate | $45–$65/hr | $28–$40/hr |
| Annual salary | $80,000–$95,000 | $55,000–$68,000 |
| Health insurance | Fully covered | Often not covered |
| Pension/retirement | Defined benefit | Rare |
| Total compensation | $120,000–$145,000 | $62,000–$78,000 |
Plumber Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Avg Salary | Premium over Base |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Service Plumber | $60,000 | −8% |
| Commercial Plumber | $70,000 | +8% |
| Industrial / Pipefitter | $78,000 | +20% |
| Medical Gas Plumber | $82,000 | +26% |
| Sprinkler Fitter | $85,000 | +31% |
| Steamfitter | $90,000 | +38% |
How to Increase Your Plumber Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Earn journeyman license | +$15,000–$25,000 |
| Earn master plumber license | +$15,000–$30,000 |
| Join UA union | +$12,000–$25,000 |
| Specialize in industrial or steam fitting | +$10,000–$20,000 |
| Start your own plumbing business | +$30,000–$130,000+ |
| Work overtime (especially in new construction) | +$10,000–$25,000 |
| Relocate to NY, IL, or WA | +$15,000–$35,000 |
Related: Plumber Salary | Electrician Salary by State | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 OES — Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes472152.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.” bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm
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