Plumber salary: state-by-state annually & hourly guide 2024 - Housecall Pro
News & Press Salaries Trending Topics Working in the Trades

Plumber salary: state-by-state annually & hourly guide 2024

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? 

Average hourly and top 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?

Let’s get right down to it. The average hourly rate for plumbers across the entire United States is $26.91. Each year that works out to a salary of around $56,178 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 Washington. Yeah, it surprised us too! Plumbing salaries in the Evergreen State average $109,400.2 

On the flip side, the state with the lowest average hourly rate is Mississippi, where listings show an annual salary of $44,508. As for the cost of living though, your money goes a lot farther in the Magnolia State.3

Some of the differences in pay may be due to the number of plumbers who serve households in the same area. Other aspects to consider are things like your formal education, years of hands-on experience, and if you work for yourself or someone else. Trade Academy is a great place to start if you need to further your education. 

Average plumber salary by state

Along with looking at the plumbing industry as a whole, it’s helpful to see the average hourly amount in each individual state.

Keep in mind that this average includes every level plumber, from apprentice all the way up to Master Plumber.

That being said, knowing the average hourly rate (combined with the other data) should give you some context for which states tend to pay the most and which pay the least.

Salary range for plumbers

Across the entire United States, the average salary range for plumbing positions runs from $21 per hour to $52.

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 not only based 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/

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, a plumbing job in Chicago will offer a higher salary than one in Effingham.

Geography Fun Fact: Effingham, IL has a population of 12,221.

Brooklyn, NY has the highest average salary at $66,448.4 Here are a few more cities where plumbers make good money:5 

Denver, CO- $59,399 per year

Phoenix, AZ- $56,530 per year

Cincinnati, OH- $55,665 per year

Indianapolis, IN- $55,253 per year

Union, NJ- $55,166 per year

Los Angeles, CA- $53,675 per year

San Antonio, TX- $53,369 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!

Parting thoughts

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.

Plumbing Salary FAQ

[ultimate-faqs include_category=’Plumbing Salary’]

author avatar
Housecall Pro
Solutions for your business Whether you need to improve dispatching, reduce paperwork, increase workforce or grow revenue, we have a solution.

Housecall Pro

Solutions for your business Whether you need to improve dispatching, reduce paperwork, increase workforce or grow revenue, we have a solution.