Plumber earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level plumber earnings begin at:

$45.93 per hour

$95,520 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level plumber earnings begin at:

$37.42 per hour

$77,830 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level plumber earnings begin at:

$31.11 per hour

$64,720 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level plumber earnings begin at:

$24.93 per hour

$51,860 per year

10th percentile

Starting level plumber earnings begin at:

$19.71 per hour

$40,990 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Plumber salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Illinois $99,950
Oregon $97,050
Minnesota $94,410
Alaska $93,920
Massachusetts $93,880
Wisconsin $81,210
Washington $81,030
Michigan $80,190
Montana $79,960
New Jersey $78,240
Hawaii $78,060
New York $77,490
Connecticut $77,280
Rhode Island $76,470
Indiana $76,320
California $72,830
Pennsylvania $68,080
New Hampshire $66,810
Missouri $66,790
Maryland $65,400
Kansas $65,220
Delaware $64,720
Kentucky $64,160
Maine $64,000
Iowa $63,890
Louisiana $63,680
North Dakota $63,560
Ohio $63,330
Colorado $63,240
Wyoming $62,410
Vermont $62,170
Arizona $62,070
Utah $61,900
Nevada $61,610
New Mexico $61,440
Nebraska $60,970
Virginia $60,470
Texas $59,840
Alabama $58,670
Tennessee $58,600
Oklahoma $57,970
Georgia $57,200
North Carolina $57,080
West Virginia $56,980
Mississippi $55,480
South Carolina $53,940
Florida $52,910
Idaho $52,380
South Dakota $51,620
Arkansas $48,660
Virgin Islands, U.S. $47,200
Guam $34,470
Puerto Rico $19,440
District of Columbia $101,020

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 8% less than similar careers in Delaware. On average, they make less than architects but more than crane operators.

Career Median Salary
Architect salary $97K
Surveyor salary $83K
Building and construction inspector salary $73K
Electrician salary $64K
Brickmason salary $67K
Pipefitter salary $65K
Plumber salary $65K
HVAC technician salary $62K
Carpenter salary $59K
Crane operator salary $60K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)