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 | 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 2026-08-25. Figures cover Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
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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