Plumber salary guide 2026: pay by experience, location & more

Plumbing is steady work with strong earning potential. People call when it’s urgent, and demand rarely slows down. If you’re thinking about becoming a plumber or want to learn how to increase your earning potential, our guide breaks down plumber salaries by state, explains factors that affect your pay, and gives tips to grow your earnings.

All national and state salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024—the most recent release available. BLS data covers plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters combined under SOC code 47-2152. Supplementary data comes from reputable salary sites such as Glassdoor and Indeed.

Quick answer: How much do plumbers make in 2026?

The national median wage for plumbers is $62,970 per year, or $30.27 per hour. Pay varies based on experience, location, licensing, and specialization. Residential, commercial, and self-employed plumbing work can also lead to different income range

Average plumber salary in the U.S.

The average plumber salary in 2026 is $62,970 per year, or $30.27 per hour. Many plumbing jobs scale into the $70,000 to $80,000 range with experience, with some reaching as high as six figures—especially if you start your own plumbing business.

Here’s how that breaks down by hour, week, month, and year using national data for minimum and maximum wages across the U.S.:

Table: Range figures reflect the 10th and 90th percentile wages. BLS data covers plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters combined under SOC code 47-2152. Plumbing-only wages may differ slightly in states with high industrial pipefitter employment.

Plumber salary by license type

As in many trades, experience matters. Entry-level plumbers start with modest wages while learning the ropes, but earnings climb quickly as you gain skills and independence. After a few years of experience, you’ll see a noticeable jump in pay. Once you reach senior or master levels, you may lead teams, take on specialized projects, or even launch your own business. 

We’ll break down salaries by plumbing license type below. Keep in mind that rates vary depending on where you live.

Apprentice plumber salary

Apprentice plumbers make an average of $20 per hour, or between $42,000 and $46,000 per year. These plumbers are in training and work under the supervision of licensed professionals while learning both on the job and in the classroom. They handle basic tasks like pipe installation and fixture repairs but can’t work independently or pull permits.

According to the BLS, apprentice wages typically start at 40%–50% of the journeyman rate and increase as training progresses.

Journeyman plumber salary

Journeyman plumbers make an average of $34 per hour, or $69,273 per year. This is an advanced license type that allows you to work independently, supervise apprentices, and take on a wider range of plumbing projects, though you may still face limits on permits or business ownership depending on state regulations. It typically takes four to five years to move to the journeyman level and requires passing a licensing exam.

Master plumber salary

Master plumbers make an average of $38.49 per hour, or around $80,053 per year. Top-earners can make six figures. This licensing level requires several years of experience beyond journeyman status and the successful completion of advanced licensing exams. These plumbers can oversee complex projects, pull permits, ensure code compliance, supervise teams, and even run their own businesses.

Read more: Plumbing licensing guide, state-by-state

Plumbing business owner salary

Plumbing business owners typically out-earn employed plumbers by a significant margin, but the range is wide. Small owner-operators running solo or small crews often earn $50,000 to $100,000 annually, roughly in line with a senior employed plumber. Owners of larger, more established firms with multiple crews, commercial contracts, or emergency service agreements frequently clear $150,000 to $250,000 or more.

The gap between the low and high end comes down to a few key variables:

• Business size and location: More crews and a busier market compound fast. A two-truck operation in a high-demand metro will out-earn a solo operator in a rural market at nearly every price point.
• Services offered: Emergency repairs, commercial work, and specialty services (backflow testing, medical gas, hydro-jetting) command premium rates that residential-only shops can’t match.
• Repeat business and referrals: A full calendar of returning clients costs nothing in marketing. The most profitable plumbing businesses are built on service agreements and referral networks, not one-off jobs.
• Operational efficiency: Owners who track job costs and profit margins per job—not just revenue—know which services to grow and which to cut. Blind revenue growth without margin visibility is how businesses stall out.

Thinking of starting a plumbing business? Try Housecall Pro’s plumbing business software to streamline your operations, manage jobs efficiently, and grow your profits.

Read more: How to pay yourself as a business owner

Plumber salary by state

Plumbing rates vary widely depending on where you work. Cost of living, licensing requirements, union presence, and market demand all play a role. Here’s an overview of the median hourly and annual wages for plumbers in each state:

What states pay plumbers the most?

The highest-paying states for plumbers share a few things in common: a strong presence of unions, higher costs of living, and steady demand from both residential and commercial projects. 

In Illinois and Massachusetts, dense cities and older infrastructure drive constant work, while Oregon’s fast-growing metro areas push demand higher. Minnesota’s cold winters keep plumbing systems under pressure year-round, and, in Alaska, a smaller workforce combined with harsh conditions makes plumbing especially lucrative.

What states pay plumbers the least?

Lower-paying states tend to have a mix of lower living costs, weaker union presence, and highly competitive labor markets that keep wages down. 

In West Virginia and Arkansas, for example, fewer large commercial projects keep wages modest. Florida and North Carolina see strong demand, but many small contractors compete for the same jobs. And, in South Dakota, steady but dispersed rural demand limits what plumbers can charge.

Highest-paying plumbing jobs

Not all plumbing jobs are the same. Some roles require more responsibility, specialized skills, or a bigger scope of work, and the paycheck reflects that. If you’re looking for ways to make more money as a plumber, here are a few of the highest-paying positions:

• Plumbing engineer ($85,000–$107,000/year): Designs water, gas, and drainage systems for commercial buildings and large residential developments, typically working alongside architects and structural engineers before construction begins.
• Plumbing designer ($75,500–$99,000/year): Produces detailed construction drawings and specs for complex plumbing systems. Often works in engineering firms or large general contracting operations.
• Master plumber ($61,500–$92,500/year): Handles advanced installations, pulls permits, ensures code compliance, and supervises crews. This license is required to legally operate a plumbing business in most states.
• Plumbing foreman ($61,500–$89,500/year): Manages job site crews day-to-day, coordinates with general contractors and project managers, and keeps commercial jobs on schedule.
• Licensed journeyman plumber ($58,000–$87,000/year): Fully credentialed to work independently across a wide range of residential and commercial projects.

Each of these paths builds on the skills you already have. Whether you prefer leading people, solving design challenges, or rolling up your sleeves in the field, there’s room to grow into a role that pays more and matches how you want to work.  

Read more: Types of plumbers, explained

What factors have the biggest impact on a plumber’s salary?

Some of these you can act on now. Others take time. All of them are worth understanding before your next job negotiation or business decision.

• Location: The single biggest lever. Illinois plumbers earn a median of $96,200; West Virginia plumbers earn $49,630. That $46,570 gap reflects union density, cost of living, and commercial project volume, not skill level.
• License type: Moving from apprentice to journeyman typically adds $20,000–$25,000 per year. Earning a master license adds another $10,000–$15,000 on top of that, and opens the door to business ownership.
• Union membership: Union plumbers earn 20%–35% more than non-union workers in the same market, plus structured benefits (pension, healthcare, paid training) that increase total compensation further.
• Specializations: Certifications in medical gas, backflow prevention, fire suppression systems, or green plumbing qualify you for higher-paying, lower-competition jobs. Most can be earned in days to weeks, not years.
• Type of work: Commercial and industrial plumbing consistently pays more than residential. Supervisors and foremen earn more than field techs—often $10,000–$20,000 more per year for the same hours.

How to increase your plumber salary

If you’re ready to up your paycheck, here are a few concrete ways to do it:

• Run your business efficiently. Tracking job costs, labor hours, and profit margins lets you identify which jobs are worth taking and which are eating into your earnings.
• Get certified in a specialty. Backflow prevention, medical gas, and green plumbing certifications qualify you for higher-paying jobs with less competition.
• Take on leadership. Moving into a foreman or supervisor role typically adds $10,000–$20,000 per year over field tech pay.
• Relocate strategically. Moving from a low-paying state like West Virginia ($49,630 median) to a market like Illinois ($96,200 median) can nearly double your income doing the same work.

Starting your own plumbing business

Many plumbers see their biggest pay increase when they start a business. Running your own shop means more responsibility—licenses, insurance, scheduling, and payroll—but it also gives you control over your rates, schedule, and potential growth.

This shift can feel like a lot, which is why having the right systems matters. Housecall Pro’s plumbing software can make that transition smoother:

• Scheduling and dispatching keep your day organized and reduce wasted drive time.
• Price Book makes quoting fast and consistent, so you don’t lose time second-guessing numbers.
• Job Costing shows which jobs actually turn a profit, giving you clarity to adjust rates.
• Customer management helps you keep loyal clients and win repeat work.

Get started with our free 14-day trial to schedule jobs, send invoices, and get paid in one place.