Are you thinking about becoming a plumber? Maybe you’re a licensed journeyman considering a move to another state. Either way, let’s answer the question that’s no doubt on your mind. How much can I make?
Are plumbers in demand in the USA?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow by 2% from 2022 to 2032, which is about on par with all occupations.
Looking at this in hard numbers, the BLS estimates there will be about 42,600 openings for plumbers and pipefitters each year for the next decade. Most of these openings, though, are expected to result from the need to replace plumbers who exit the workforce, like retiring or changing occupations.
So, the demand for plumbers should remain steady over the next decade but not see an overwhelming demand for additional plumbers in the field.
What factors influence plumbing salaries?
Plumbers’ earnings vary based on location, experience, license type, specialization, and employment situation. Urban areas like Dallas, New York City, or San Francisco tend to offer higher salaries due to higher living costs.
Although the average salary nationwide for plumbers in 2024 is $64,455, several other factors determine how much a plumber makes each year:
- Experience matters greatly; seasoned plumbers can earn $20,000 more annually than newcomers.
- License type is pivotal; Certified Master Plumbers make $80,053, while apprentices earn $41,861 annually.
- Specialized work like emergency drainage or gas installations commands higher pay.
- Who do you work for Owning a plumbing business may offer higher income potential, but employed plumbers enjoy benefits like health insurance and bonuses.
Average hourly and yearly plumbing salaries in the U.S.
Pro tip: If you’re looking for more info on becoming a plumber, check out this ultimate guide on getting a plumbing license.
How much do plumbers make? It’s the million-dollar question. We gathered data from all across the Internet, sorted it, analyzed it, and we’re pleased to present it in all its glory here for you.
We’re breaking down the average hourly rate for plumbers across the country by state, average salary range, and cities where this job pays big time!
How much does a plumber make per hour?
Let’s get right down to it. The average hourly rate for plumbers across the entire United States is $31.00. Each year, that works out to a salary of around $64,455 annually.1
But keep in mind that an average is just that — an average. This number includes salaries listed for plumbing positions in the areas with the highest cost of living (like San Francisco and New York City) and small towns where gas and groceries don’t cost an arm and a leg.
If we zoom in a bit further, the state with the highest average salary is the District of Columbia. This shouldn’t be a large surprise due to the high living cost in the surrounding area. Plumbing salaries in Washington, D.C., average $71,738.2
Average median salary range for plumbers in the United States
Across the United States, the average salary range for plumbing positions ranges from $23 per hour to $39.
Now again, this range includes a variety of positions, and the range of pay for plumbers is quite expansive. The pay scale for plumbers is based not only on location but certifications and years of experience. The highest rate could represent a Master Plumber, while a licensed journeyman is the median, and an apprentice would receive half of that rate, representing the lower end of the scale.
Which state pays plumbers the least?
On the flip side, the state with the lowest average hourly rate is Florida, where listings show an annual salary of $43,539. As for the cost of living, your money may go much farther in the Sunshine State.3
Cities with the highest plumbing salaries
If you’re considering a move, you need to drill down to details on specific cities. As you’d expect, many large cities in California will offer much higher salaries than smaller towns in states with a lower cost of living.
San Jose, CA, has the highest average salary at $80,890.
Here are a few more cities where plumbers make good money:
- San Francisco, CA – $80,568 per year
- Oakland, CA- $78,635 per year
- New York, NY- $75,283 per year
- Queens Village, NY- $74,767 per year
- Paramus, NJ- $74,252 per year
- Passaic, NJ- $74,187 per year
- Stamford, CT- $73,994 per year
A simple search will help you find what plumbers in any given city can make. It’s worth the work if you’re considering a move!
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How much does a plumber make per week?
The amount of money a plumber makes per week will vary based on where they are located and their level of experience. It may also depend on whether they’re owner-operators of their own plumbing business or work for a company that pays them a set salary or hourly wage.
In the case of the latter, these statistics about plumbing weekly wages may be more accurate:
The median weekly salary for plumbers in the U.S. is $1,240.
| Plumber Role | Average Weekly Salary |
|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber | $843 |
| Journeyman Plumber | $1,240 |
| Plumber Foreman | $1,408 |
What is the average plumber’s salary per month?
How much do plumbers make each month? It’s more than you might think! According to Salary.com, the national median monthly wage for plumbers is $5,371. However, these numbers change when you zoom in a little closer.
Oregon ($5,971), Alaska ($5,593), and North Dakota ($5,944) have the highest monthly salaries for plumbers. However, in Alaska and North Dakota, the demand for specialty plumbers (pipe fitters, gas installation, etc.) is higher due to certain industries in those states.
Fifteen other states, including Massachusetts, South Dakota, Colorado, Virginia, Mississippi, and Illinois, have average monthly salaries of over $5,000. Some of these states have a very low cost of living, while others have no state income tax, so your monthly salary may be even more comfortable.
What is the average starting salary for a plumber?
The average starting salary for a plumber depends on a number of factors. Where do you live and work, and what type of plumbing services will you be providing? That being said, the average entry-level salary in America for an apprentice plumber ranges from $34,000-$47,500 per year.4
Most starting plumbers will be paid hourly. Broken down for hourly workers, those looking to enter the plumbing field can start at around $21.00 an hour. Plumbing companies will expect you to learn your trade and complete certification or trade school courses. This specialized training will help you advance your career and eventually reach higher salaries.
How much do apprentice plumbers earn?
As with beginners, apprentice plumbers are usually paid hourly. Salary and commission structures may be available in some cases. According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for apprentice plumbers in 2024 was $43,900, or a little over $20 per hour.5 As with any job, this will vary based on the cost of living in your area. Larger cities also offer more opportunities, which honestly goes without saying. We’ll say it anyway.
Early on in your apprenticeship program (1-3 years), you will probably earn minimum wage or just a few dollars more per hour than that. As your training progresses and you gain more seniority and experience, your income will increase quite a bit!
What is the average journeyman plumber’s salary?
The average annual journeyman plumber salary in the U.S. is $64,660, although the general range is from $55,940 to $73,440.
If you’re an apprentice plumber ready to become a journeyman plumber and work without the supervision of a licensed plumber (either a journeyman plumber or Master Plumber), you must complete a specific training and licensure program, which differs by state.
What is a master plumber’s annual salary?
According to GlassDoor, experienced master plumbers earn a median income of $110,601 per year. Of course, this varies from region to region. In New York City, experienced master plumbers earn an average salary of $130,900 annually. Remember, a master plumber’s salary depends on the area where they work and their employer’s size.
What is the average salary for plumbing business owners?
Before starting a plumbing business, remember the expenses like your van, tools and equipment, office supplies, licensing, insurance, and even marketing expenses.
You’d need to be a master plumber before starting your own business. Master plumbers typically earn an average of $38 per hour, although it may go as high as $62.6. You could make hundreds of thousands when you own the business and make money from every transaction.
As with any business, profit margins grow wider when you run an efficient operation that provides valuable service at competitive costs. Building up strong customer relationships also goes a long way in driving additional income opportunities over time through referrals and word-of-mouth advertising.
How much do union plumbers make?
Just like with non-union, the average salary for union plumbers varies depending on the specific job, experience level, and geographic area. As of 2024, plumbers employed by a union earned an average annual wage of $63,215 per year or $30 an hour in the United States.8
How much does a residential plumber make?
We all need a residential plumber from time to time—and when we do, we really need them! Pay for a residential plumber varies on factors like location and experience, but the average annual salary for a residential plumber in the United States is $55,588. It should be noted that salaries can range from as low as $46,826 to as high as $97,500.
How much does a commercial plumber make?
Like residential plumbers, commercial plumbers’ incomes depend on the type of work they do, their experience level, and the geographical area where they work. However, we can give you the national average, which is $79,517.9. The range swings from $51,000 on the low end to $126,000.
Commercial projects are usually more complex and larger than residential projects. They also require a higher level of skill and knowledge, considering building codes, regulations, and hazardous materials.
What is the highest-paying plumbing job?
We’ve talked several times about how specialty plumbing skills can command higher salaries. Due to their unique skills, specialty plumbers are also in higher demand than general plumbers. For example, if you’re certified for gas installation and fittings, you may find opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Working on an offshore oil rig may yield a much higher salary than installing faucets and snaking toilets.
That being said, what exactly are these specialty plumber careers, and how much do they make?
Plumbing engineer
Salary range: $85,000-$107,000 per year
Plumbing engineers design plumbing systems for residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. They usually work alongside mechanical engineers and architects or may be involved with municipalities, designing stormwater drainage systems or systems for waste and potable water flow.
Plumbing designer
Salary range: $75,500-$99,000 per year
Plumbing designers create plumbing systems for residential or commercial clients. This may include the potable water and wastewater system in and out of a building or a specialty design, like a sprinkler system or drainage network.
Plumbing foreman
Salary range: $61,500-$89,500 per year
Plumbers with a knack for inspiring or managing others may take on the role of a plumbing foreman. This involves supervising a team of plumbers assembling and repairing plumbing and water delivery systems, interior or landscaping sprinklers, fire suppression systems, drainage, or commercial plumbing needs.
Plumbing mechanic
Salary range: $50,000-$74,500 per year
Plumbing mechanics service plumbing equipment, making sure things like a hydro jet or filament camera are in good working order for plumbers. You may work on your own, fixing tools for plumbers and plumbing companies in your area, or be part of a large team completing a new construction job. You are responsible for the overall upkeep and condition of all plumbing tools and equipment.
Plumbing inspector
Salary range: $52,500-$73,500 per year
Plumbing inspectors examine and test plumbing and drainage systems to ensure the piping is laid properly and that the entire system complies with local, state, and national building codes. These plumbers typically work in commercial or other public-use buildings. Your responsibilities include reviewing construction plans and comparing them to the existing system, knowledge of current building codes, and how to instruct property or business owners on how to fix certain code violations.
Additional resources for plumbers
Owning and operating a plumbing business can be challenging, to say the least. But with Housecall Pro, you can spend more time focusing on your clients’ needs while our platform works behind the scenes. Not only are we a top-choice field management software for service professionals, but we also offer many resources to help grow your plumbing business. This includes:
- Plumbing software to streamline your business needs.
- How to start a plumbing business: Start a plumbing business from the ground up.
- Plumbing lead generation: How to get more leads and clients.
- How to price plumbing jobs: Learn how to price plumbing jobs with confidence.
- How to create a plumbing estimate: Create estimates with precision.
- Plumbing templates & calculators: Maximize your productivity with calculators and free templates to streamline all aspects of your business.
- Plumbing proposals: How to create a strategy that wins you more bids.
Future outlook
We need to encourage more high school graduates to consider a future in the trades for this very reason. Student loans just don’t add up in many cases. There will always be a need for plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs…and the list goes on.
The plumbing industry is rocking. With the average salary jumping up over $50,000/year (and many jobs available above that amount), it’s a great field to go into if you’re considering it. Clearly, now is as good a time as any to start a plumbing career or a plumbing business.
This data can be useful when it comes to setting competitive salaries and evaluating your personal part-time or full-time job salary. It can also help you determine what sort of pay increase you might look forward to in the future.
Frequently asked questions
- Do plumbers make good money?
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Yes, plumbers make good money. Depending on experience level and location, a plumber’s annual salary can be anywhere from $50,000 to well over $100,000 in the United States. The hourly rate for a plumber can range from $25 to more than $50 (depending on the job’s difficulty).
- Who makes more money, plumbers or electricians?
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An apprentice electrician can expect to earn about $49,000 to $65,200, with an average annual salary of $56,400, compared to the average apprentice plumber salary of $43,900.
A journeyman electrician may make between $60,800 to $78,100, with an average annual salary of $69,200. A journeyman plumber, on the other hand, makes an average of $64,660.
Master Electricians can expect to make an average of $79,936 per year, compared to the average salary for a Master Plumber, which is $110,601.
- What’s the most a plumber can make?
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Master Plumbers certifications and many years of experience can bring home some serious bacon. The top 10% of plumbers make $90,000-$100-000 or $48.08 an hour.11 And in states like Alaska, California, Hawaii, New York, and Massachusetts, some plumbers make more than $100,000.
The highest plumber salary we’ve found is $121,980 in New York City. Of course, that salary might get you a 600-square-foot condo living in the Big Apple
