Working as a plumber comes with many benefits including job stability, the ability to work in a variety of locations, and the chance to make a good living.
Plumber salary overview
The median plumber salary is $59,880. The salary of a plumber varies with experience, and typically ranges from $36,700 to $59,880.
- Median Annual Salary: $55,160 ($26.52 per hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $97,170 ($46.72 per hour)
- Bottom 10% Salary: $32,690 ($15.72 per hour)
Plumber median annual salary (2010-2019)
Plumber salary by state
The salary range of a plumber, as with many other careers, varies by state. You have a higher earning potential in states like Illinois, Oregon, and Alaska. The earning potential of a plumber is lowest in states like South Dakota, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
Below you can see a breakdown of the average plumber salary by state.
| State | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile (Median) | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,570 | $35,940 | $46,510 | $57,030 | $64,290 |
| Alaska | $54,810 | $64,340 | $79,080 | $94,130 | $103,930 |
| Arizona | $31,830 | $37,360 | $46,790 | $60,320 | $77,340 |
| Arkansas | $27,450 | $33,500 | $42,400 | $53,970 | $62,390 |
| California | $32,950 | $41,430 | $57,660 | $79,720 | $115,500 |
| Colorado | $33,750 | $41,360 | $52,250 | $63,640 | $78,610 |
| Connecticut | $36,740 | $50,400 | $63,930 | $84,630 | $97,630 |
| Delaware | $39,910 | $46,830 | $60,750 | $77,840 | $93,600 |
| District of Columbia | $33,210 | $51,600 | $71,800 | $92,340 | $101,670 |
| Florida | $28,730 | $34,920 | $43,220 | $52,260 | $62,840 |
| Georgia | $28,510 | $35,560 | $46,760 | $59,330 | $74,470 |
| Hawaii | $39,580 | $50,290 | $64,310 | $88,320 | $101,300 |
| Idaho | $22,080 | $32,980 | $48,470 | $62,470 | $73,770 |
| Illinois | $44,700 | $63,460 | $91,210 | $108,040 | $123,350 |
| Indiana | $34,250 | $43,000 | $59,550 | $77,560 | $94,950 |
| Iowa | $34,090 | $42,710 | $57,350 | $72,830 | $84,820 |
| Kansas | $32,630 | $39,600 | $52,780 | $71,580 | $92,220 |
| Kentucky | $33,450 | $42,480 | $56,370 | $71,170 | $79,910 |
| Louisiana | $34,880 | $43,800 | $55,150 | $65,630 | $78,130 |
| Maine | $35,160 | $43,170 | $52,010 | $59,590 | $64,250 |
| Maryland | $36,040 | $45,270 | $57,930 | $74,030 | $92,830 |
| Massachusetts | $39,820 | $51,840 | $68,180 | $90,750 | $119,990 |
| Michigan | $33,210 | $44,550 | $65,750 | $78,780 | $92,130 |
| Minnesota | $40,440 | $54,230 | $74,240 | $93,290 | $105,240 |
| Mississippi | $29,690 | $37,120 | $47,430 | $57,020 | $62,480 |
| Missouri | $35,390 | $46,510 | $63,770 | $86,620 | $98,940 |
| Montana | $32,310 | $46,100 | $59,290 | $72,690 | $82,100 |
| Nebraska | $32,640 | $42,010 | $59,720 | $74,160 | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $35,990 | $43,930 | $55,670 | $79,100 | $100,830 |
| New Hampshire | $35,440 | $43,770 | $53,150 | $65,530 | $79,570 |
| New Jersey | $39,630 | $52,430 | $67,820 | $99,280 | $122,250 |
| New Mexico | $28,460 | $34,560 | $44,260 | $55,630 | $67,290 |
| New York | $36,920 | $48,650 | $65,970 | $93,610 | $121,980 |
| North Carolina | $29,130 | $35,740 | $44,170 | $52,380 | $62,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,110 | $44,590 | $55,140 | $62,490 | $74,860 |
| Ohio | $31,690 | $39,920 | $55,280 | $72,450 | $82,140 |
| Oklahoma | $28,000 | $34,870 | $48,710 | $64,650 | $76,570 |
| Oregon | $38,050 | $50,240 | $72,880 | $94,990 | $114,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,700 | $41,890 | $53,660 | $72,600 | $100,970 |
| Rhode Island | $33,630 | $40,720 | $50,200 | $70,660 | $83,230 |
| South Carolina | $31,210 | $36,950 | $46,240 | $56,000 | $63,410 |
| South Dakota | $31,900 | $35,240 | $41,100 | $52,540 | $62,420 |
| Tennessee | $32,160 | $38,360 | $47,990 | $59,210 | $71,260 |
| Texas | $28,840 | $37,710 | $50,780 | $61,030 | $71,320 |
| Utah | $27,280 | $36,990 | $52,620 | $63,440 | $79,100 |
| Vermont | $34,420 | $40,490 | $52,570 | $60,010 | $65,600 |
| Virginia | $33,200 | $39,140 | $51,430 | $60,110 | $69,390 |
| Washington | $37,260 | $50,310 | $68,640 | $93,330 | $116,940 |
| West Virginia | $28,560 | $36,140 | $51,380 | $66,590 | $77,430 |
| Wisconsin | $39,170 | $52,110 | $67,480 | $86,950 | $99,270 |
| Wyoming | $35,070 | $43,430 | $54,830 | $67,330 | $79,310 |
How experience affects plumber salary
Experience is the largest factor when it comes to how much you will make as a plumber. The average salary at each career level is broken down below:
- Entry Level: $36,700 per year
- Junior Level: $46,590 per year
- Mid-Level: $59,880 per year
- Senior Level: $77,890 per year
- Top Level: $99,920 per year
Plumber salaries vs other careers
The salary of a plumber compares relatively well with other jobs. The median salaries of different occupations are compared with the median salary of a plumber below:
- Plumber salary: $59,880
- All Occupations: $47,860
- Construction Worker salary: $47,860
- Electrician salary: $60,040
- Welder salary: $47,010
- HVAC technician salary: $48,630
- Boilermaker salary: $64,290
How to increase your salary as a plumber
While plumbers already make a decent amount of money, there are always ways to make more. Some methods require more work than others, but they all include going above and beyond the call of duty.
Plumbing certifications
Certifications that apply to your job are one of the best ways to make yourself a more valuable worker. Not only do certifications show that you’re qualified to do the job at hand, but they also show that you’re making an investment of time and money towards becoming a better plumber.
You can learn about some of the most popular plumbing certifications here.
Take more training
In the same way that getting certifications could increase your salary, additional training can do the same thing.
You can receive on-the-job training by shadowing more experienced workers, or you can get classroom training at your local tech/trade school. Either way, you’re sure to increase your value and, therefore, your salary.
Stay ahead of the curve
The plumbing industry is constantly changing. Every year, new tools, methods, and technology emerges. Many of these tools and methods are meant to make your job easier and to make you a more efficient worker.
By staying on top of plumbing trends and being up to date on the latest innovations, you will be a valuable asset to any company.
Improve skills outside of your daily work
Being a good plumber or electrician is the most important aspect of your job. However, by improving yourself in other skills pertaining to your job, you can make yourself even more valuable.
Two of the best places to start are your sales skills and your management skills. There are plenty of online tools available to help you improve in these areas.
Go the extra mile
It might go without saying, but going the extra mile is one of the biggest things that employers look at when promotion time comes around. If you’re a hard worker who gives their all and betters themselves with any of the methods on this list, you’re going the extra mile.
For example, if the boss needs someone to work unexpectedly, you could step up and help out. See someone struggling with how to do something? Go out of your way to teach them.
Move up the ladder or start your own company
The two quickest ways to make more money as a plumber are by getting a promotion or starting your own company. While both of these things are difficult, they’re more than possible. For example, you’ll give yourself a great shot at a promotion by doing one or more of the things on this list.
Starting your own company, while being the fastest way to increase your salary, is a huge career step. It’s also one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do. To have a successful company, you’ll have to do every single thing on this list and more.
Certifications, training, maintaining industry standards, and gaining tons of new skills are par for the course when you own your own plumbing business.
Plumber salary FAQs
Do plumbers make good money?
While you may not become an overnight millionaire as a plumber, you can certainly make a good living. On average, plumbers make between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. However, depending on where you live, plumbers and electricians can make upwards of $75,000 or more.
Can plumbers make six figures?
The best way to make six figures as a plumber is by starting your own company. You can also make six figures by becoming a specialist in your field.
How much do entry-level plumbers make?
Depending on the state you live in, entry-level plumbers make between $30,000 and $40,000 per year on average.
How much does it cost to become a plumber?
There are several routes you can take to becoming a plumber. If you go to a tech/trade school and receive certifications and training before entering the field, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. If you start working for a company first, however, they will give you on-the-job training and will likely pay for any of your future certifications or training.
How long does it take to become a plumber?
In most states, you can start working as a plumber as soon as you want. However, it will take between two and five years of working experience and schooling to become a journeyman plumber.
How many hours a day do plumbers work?
Plumbers work an average of 8 to 10 hours per day for an average of 40 to 50 hours per week.
