The average salary for a plumber in the United States is around $49,866 per year.
Avg Salary
This is 18% below the national average. Updated in 2018.
Plumbers earn an average yearly salary of $49,866. Wages typically start from $29,692 and go up to $83,747.
Plumber earnings by seniority
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Plumber salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $79,400 |
| Hawaii | $73,810 |
| New Jersey | $71,370 |
| Alaska | $74,570 |
| Minnesota | $73,330 |
| New York | $67,120 |
| Oregon | $73,120 |
| Massachusetts | $64,300 |
| District of Columbia | $68,640 |
| Wisconsin | $67,830 |
| Washington | $62,980 |
| Indiana | $57,622 |
| Connecticut | $61,060 |
| Missouri | $62,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,622 |
| Delaware | $60,030 |
| Michigan | $67,050 |
| California | $56,270 |
| Montana | $59,850 |
| Maryland | $57,180 |
| West Virginia | $57,970 |
| New Hampshire | $55,180 |
| Iowa | $52,060 |
| Ohio | $55,330 |
| Kentucky | $51,150 |
| Nevada | $50,200 |
| Nebraska | $54,810 |
| Louisiana | $54,440 |
| Kansas | $49,316 |
| North Dakota | $54,410 |
| Wyoming | $51,510 |
| Colorado | $51,890 |
| Utah | $52,990 |
| Vermont | $52,050 |
| Maine | $51,090 |
| Oklahoma | $48,680 |
| Virginia | $49,960 |
| Texas | $49,280 |
| Virgin Islands | $47,200 |
| Tennessee | $47,170 |
| Georgia | $46,650 |
| Idaho | $43,693 |
| North Carolina | $43,750 |
| New Mexico | $42,870 |
| Mississippi | $45,340 |
| South Carolina | $44,310 |
| Arizona | $42,403 |
| Florida | $42,130 |
| South Dakota | $41,980 |
| Arkansas | $41,340 |
| Alabama | $39,838 |
| Guam | $34,470 |
| Puerto Rico | $19,440 |
How much does a Plumber earn?
How much one can earn working as a plumber depends on many factors. Variables that determine pay include plumbing school education, place of employment, one's level (apprentice, journeyman, or master plumber), years of experience, type of work, and the kind of employer one works for.
Apprentice plumbers who are just starting out could make 30% - 50% less than a fully trained plumber. As an apprentice, one shouldn’t be too focused on salary. The employer is paying a salary and investing a lot of time and money in the training. The goal is simply to get a plumbing education, master the skills of the trade, and advance to the point of journeyman and getting a plumbing license. There will be a lot more flexibility in work as well as increased pay once that is achieved.
Once the level of journeyman has been achieved (and with a few years of experience), one should be earning the average plumber salary for their area. The BLS reports that the national average plumber's salary is approximately $50,000.
Those that have the most autonomy in their work are master plumbers, and compared to an apprentice and a journeyman, have the highest earning potential. Some master plumbers will earn well in excess of $100,000.
How do plumber salaries compare to similar careers?
Plumbers earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than building and construction inspectors but more than HVAC technicians.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Building and construction inspector salary | $60K |
| Commercial diver salary | $49K |
| Ironworker salary | $54K |
| Crane operator salary | $54K |
| Pipefitter salary | $52K |
| Plumber salary | $50K |
| Brickmason salary | $51K |
| Gaffer salary | $36K |
| Explosives worker salary | $50K |
| HVAC technician salary | $45K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)