Plumbers in the US earn $72,170 on average — with master plumbers and business owners earning well into six figures.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| 25th | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| 50th (median) | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| 75th | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| 90th | $108,420 | $52.13 |
| Average (mean) | $72,170 | $34.70 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Plumber Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $72,170 |
| Median salary | $63,800 |
| Entry level (apprentice) | $33,000-$40,000 |
| Journeyman | $50,000-$70,000 |
| Master plumber | $65,000-$95,000 |
| Hourly rate | $28.79 |
Plumber Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Years | Salary Range | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (1st year) | 0-1 | $30,000-$38,000 | $14-$18 |
| Apprentice (2nd-3rd year) | 1-3 | $38,000-$48,000 | $18-$23 |
| Apprentice (4th-5th year) | 3-5 | $45,000-$55,000 | $22-$26 |
| Journeyman | 5-10 | $50,000-$70,000 | $24-$34 |
| Master Plumber | 10+ | $65,000-$95,000 | $31-$46 |
| Plumbing Contractor | 10+ | $80,000-$200,000+ | Varies |
Plumber Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $98,450 | $58,230 | $97,050 |
| 2 | Illinois | $93,400 | $50,250 | $99,950 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $92,590 | $48,720 | $78,240 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $91,200 | $52,310 | $101,020 |
| 5 | Alaska | $90,460 | $53,730 | $93,920 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $90,410 | $52,010 | $93,880 |
| 7 | Washington | $88,800 | $49,490 | $81,030 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $86,700 | $48,720 | $94,410 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $84,720 | $50,020 | $81,210 |
| 10 | New York | $83,790 | $46,130 | $77,490 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $82,810 | $47,750 | $78,060 |
| 12 | California | $82,320 | $47,350 | $72,830 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $81,610 | $49,680 | $76,470 |
| 14 | Montana | $78,190 | $48,250 | $79,960 |
| 15 | Michigan | $77,250 | $46,560 | $80,190 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $77,050 | $46,770 | $68,080 |
| 17 | Indiana | $75,660 | $46,890 | $76,320 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $75,400 | $45,670 | $77,280 |
| 19 | Missouri | $75,010 | $44,780 | $66,790 |
| 20 | Maryland | $73,510 | $45,630 | $65,400 |
| 21 | Nevada | $71,510 | $42,210 | $61,610 |
| 22 | Kansas | $71,410 | $39,130 | $65,220 |
| 23 | Iowa | $70,030 | $45,510 | $63,890 |
| 24 | Ohio | $69,700 | $45,470 | $63,330 |
| 25 | Colorado | $69,090 | $47,770 | $63,240 |
| 26 | Vermont | $68,980 | $48,800 | $62,170 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $68,870 | $44,860 | $64,160 |
| 28 | Delaware | $68,110 | $40,990 | $64,720 |
| 29 | Arizona | $67,940 | $45,640 | $62,070 |
| 30 | Maine | $66,570 | $48,120 | $64,000 |
| 31 | New Hampshire | $66,230 | $44,850 | $66,810 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $66,160 | $45,520 | $63,560 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $65,710 | $42,830 | $60,970 |
| 34 | Utah | $64,210 | $43,860 | $61,900 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $62,620 | $38,120 | $63,680 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $61,890 | $43,770 | $62,410 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $61,790 | $36,160 | $61,440 |
| 38 | Texas | $60,780 | $38,270 | $59,840 |
| 39 | Virginia | $60,650 | $43,970 | $60,470 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $60,500 | $38,520 | $58,600 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $58,970 | $37,990 | $57,970 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $58,780 | $36,010 | $56,980 |
| 43 | Idaho | $58,450 | $39,430 | $52,380 |
| 44 | Georgia | $58,220 | $37,680 | $57,200 |
| 45 | Alabama | $57,750 | $37,720 | $58,670 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $56,720 | $38,860 | $57,080 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $56,690 | $35,830 | $55,480 |
| 48 | Florida | $56,030 | $38,940 | $52,910 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $55,890 | $37,660 | $53,940 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $55,530 | $39,230 | $51,620 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $50,640 | $33,410 | $48,660 |
| — | National | $72,170 | $44,150 | $63,800 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Plumber Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Pipefitter/Steamfitter | $60,100 | High |
| Gas Line Plumber | $65,000 | High |
| Commercial Plumber | $62,000 | High |
| Industrial Plumber | $68,000 | Moderate |
| Sprinkler Fitter | $58,500 | Moderate |
| Service/Repair Plumber | $55,000 | Very High |
| Residential New Construction | $52,000 | High |
| Drain Technician | $48,000 | High |
Union vs. Non-Union Plumber Pay
| Type | Average Wage | Benefits | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union (UA) | $32-$50/hour | Excellent | $80,000-$110,000 |
| Non-Union | $22-$35/hour | Varies | $46,000-$73,000 |
Union plumbers earn 20-35% more when factoring in pension, health insurance, and training.
Overtime and Total Earnings
| Base Salary | OT Hours/Week | Annual OT Pay | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | 5 | $9,900 | $64,900 |
| $55,000 | 10 | $19,800 | $74,800 |
| $55,000 | 15 | $29,700 | $84,700 |
| $55,000 | 20 | $39,600 | $94,600 |
Service plumbers often work overtime, especially on emergency calls which may pay double time.
How to Become a Plumber
| Step | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma | — | Math and shop classes help |
| Pre-apprenticeship (optional) | 3-6 months | Trade school or community college |
| Apprenticeship | 4-5 years | Paid training (earn while you learn) |
| Journeyman license exam | — | State exam required |
| Master plumber license | 2-5 more years | Optional but pays more |
| Business license | Varies | To start your own company |
Total time: 4-10 years depending on career path.
Plumbing Business Owner Income
| Business Size | Owner Income |
|---|---|
| Solo operator | $65,000-$100,000 |
| 1-2 employees | $85,000-$130,000 |
| Small company (5-10) | $120,000-$180,000 |
| Medium company (15+) | $175,000-$300,000+ |
Plumbing business owners have significant earning potential but take on business risk and responsibilities.
Plumber Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $42,355 | $3,530 |
| $72,170 | $7,047 | $5,521 | $59,602 | $4,967 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $65,110 | $5,426 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $79,180 | $6,598 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
Plumber vs. Other Trades
| Trade | Average Salary | Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | $97,860 | 4-5 years |
| Electrician | $60,240 | 4-5 years |
| Plumber | $59,880 | 4-5 years |
| HVAC Technician | $51,390 | 2-5 years |
| Carpenter | $52,850 | 3-4 years |
| Welder | $47,010 | 6 months-2 years |
Job Outlook
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 7% |
| Median age of plumbers | 45 |
| Annual retirements | 50,000+ |
| New plumbers needed | ~43,000/year |
Many plumbers are approaching retirement, creating strong demand for new entrants.
Is Plumbing a Good Career?
Pros:
- No college debt
- Paid apprenticeship
- Steady demand
- Path to business ownership
- Work can’t be outsourced
Cons:
- Physically demanding
- Exposure to unsanitary conditions
- On-call/emergency work
- Can be hard on knees and back
- 4-5 year apprenticeship
Bottom Line
Plumbers earn $72,170 on average, but journeymen earn $50,000-$70,000 and master plumbers reach $65,000-$95,000. With overtime, union membership, or business ownership, six-figure earnings are achievable. The trade offers a debt-free path to a solid middle-class income with strong job security.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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