If you’re considering a career in plumbing or looking to understand how much money plumbers make in a year, this research covers what you need to know. The plumbing industry offers solid earning potential, though compensation varies significantly based on location, experience, and license level. Let’s break down the average plumber salaries and explore what impacts numbers across the United States.
What Is the Average Salary for Plumbers?
So, how much does a plumber get paid? According to the latest occupational outlook handbook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024 the average annual salary for plumbers in the U.S. is $62,970, or $30.27 per hour.
Here’s how these figures break down across different time periods based on 40-hour workweek:
- Hourly wage: $30.27
- Weekly wage: $1,210.80
- Monthly salary: $5,247.50
- Annual income: $62,970
These numbers provide just a starting point. Your earnings will vary based on several factors we’ll walk through in this guide. In general, plumbing offers a respectable middle-class income, with room for salary growth as you gain more experience in plumbing and credentials.
What Is the Average Salary for Plumbers by Experience & License Levels?
Experience and license levels both make a huge difference in earning potential. Plumbers normally follow a clear career ladder. As you move further up to the ladder, it brings new opportunities, requires greater expertise and offers higher compensation. Here’s what the average plumbing salary looks like at different levels of experience.
Experience Level | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate |
Entry (less than 2 years) | $52,952 | $24.46 |
Intermediate (2-4 years) | $68,794 | $33.07 |
Senior (4-7 years) | $74,522 | $35.83 |
You now have a clear picture of how experience impacts plumber salaries. Next, we’ll break down earnings by license type. Remember, locations also have an impact on the average salaries.
Apprentice Plumbers
Apprentices are just starting their journey in the trade. They work under supervision while learning the fundamentals. Since they’re still developing their skills, apprentice plumbers earn the lowest wages in the field – averaging around $49,000 per year, or $23.55 per hour.
Journeyman Plumbers
Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship and passed the required exams for a plumbing license, you become a journeyman plumber. This license level represents full competency in the plumbing industry. Journeymen earn predictable, solid wages that match closely with national averages – typically between $25 and $35 per hour, or $52,000 to $72,800 per year.
Master Plumbers
Master plumbers sit at the top of the licensing hierarchy. With the highest level of certification, they can tackle the most complex projects and run their own businesses. Master plumbers earn an average hourly rate of $39.31, with a salary range typically between $70,000 and $100,000 yearly. The earning scale for master plumbers is much wider than other license levels because they can combine strong base compensation with higher-paying specialized jobs and business ownership opportunities.
How Much Do Plumbers Make: State-by-State Salary Breakdown
Location dramatically affects how much plumbers get paid. States with higher costs of living typically offer higher wages to match service demand and living expenses. Here’s a comprehensive look at plumber average salaries across the country. The data in the table below is compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
State | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
Alabama | $25.89 | $53,840 |
Alaska | $39.95 | $83,090 |
Arizona | $29.78 | $61,940 |
Arkansas | $23.89 | $49,700 |
California | $32.88 | $68,390 |
Colorado | $32.00 | $66,472 |
Connecticut | $35.14 | $73,080 |
Delaware | $30.92 | $64,300 |
Florida | $24.30 | $50,540 |
Georgia | $27.06 | $56,290 |
Hawaii | $37.76 | $78,540 |
Idaho | $27.59 | $57,380 |
Illinois | $46.25 | $96,200 |
Indiana | $31.04 | $64,560 |
Iowa | $29.44 | $61,230 |
Kansas | $30.20 | $62,820 |
Kentucky | $29.98 | $62,370 |
Louisiana | $31.12 | $64,720 |
Maine | $29.76 | $61,890 |
Maryland | $30.42 | $63,270 |
Massachusetts | $40.03 | $83,260 |
Michigan | $37.03 | $77,030 |
Minnesota | $40.04 | $83,280 |
Mississippi | $27.87 | $57,960 |
Missouri | $29.85 | $62,090 |
Montana | $37.47 | $77,930 |
Nebraska | $30.23 | $62,880 |
Nevada | $28.90 | $60,120 |
New Hampshire | $29.82 | $62,030 |
New Jersey | $37.10 | $77,160 |
New Mexico | $28.68 | $59,660 |
New York | $37.72 | $78,460 |
North Carolina | $24.52 | $50,990 |
North Dakota | $30.13 | $62,670 |
Ohio | $30.06 | $62,530 |
Oklahoma | $26.36 | $54,840 |
Oregon | $44.77 | $93,110 |
Pennsylvania | $32.04 | $66,650 |
Rhode Island | $31.07 | $64,630 |
South Carolina | $26.37 | $54,840 |
South Dakota | $24.42 | $50,790 |
Tennessee | $27.76 | $57,730 |
Texas | $28.15 | $58,560 |
Utah | $29.65 | $61,680 |
Vermont | $29.11 | $60,550 |
Virginia | $28.64 | $59,560 |
Washington | $38.02 | $79,070 |
West Virginia | $23.86 | $49,630 |
Wisconsin | $37.75 | $78,510 |
Wyoming | $29.56 | $61,480 |
The difference between the highest and lowest paying states can exceed $40,000 annually. This significant gap makes location one of the most important factors in plumber salaries.
Which States Offer the Highest Plumber Salaries?
The highest-paying states for plumbers are Illinois ($96,200 annually), Oregon ($93,110), Minnesota ($83,280), Massachusetts ($83,260), and Alaska ($83,090). These states combine high demand, cost of living adjustments, and strong union presence to drive up average plumbing wages.
State | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
Illinois | $46.25 | $96,200 |
Oregon | $44.77 | $93,110 |
Minnesota | $40.04 | $83,280 |
Massachusetts | $40.03 | $83,260 |
Alaska | $39.95 | $83,090 |
Which States Offer the Lowest Plumber Salaries?
On the lower end, West Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota and North Carolina typically offer the most modest plumbing salary packages. However, these states also have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset some of the wage difference.
State | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
West Virginia | $23.86 | $49,630 |
Arkansas | $23.89 | $49,700 |
Florida | $24.30 | $50,540 |
South Dakota | $24.42 | $50,790 |
North Carolina | $24.52 | $50,990 |
What Factors Can Impact a Plumber Salary?
Several key elements influence how much money plumbers make in a year:
- Experience: An experienced plumber handles complex tasks more efficiently, making them more valuable to employers
- Location: More urban areas and states with higher costs of living often pay more to match demand and living expenses
- Specialization: Plumbers who focus on commercial work, industrial systems, or niche areas like medical gas systems command often earn higher rates
- Certifications: Additional credentials beyond basic licensing such as backflow prevention or green plumbing certifications can boost earning potential
- Reputation: Building a strong reputation leads to more referrals and the ability to charge higher rates
These factors work together. A master plumber in Alaska with commercial specialization is likely to far out-earn an apprentice in South Dakota doing residential repairs.
What Are the Highest-Paying Plumbing Jobs?
In the competitive plumbing industry, you need to know that not all plumbing work pays the same. Commercial and industrial plumbing typically offer a better salary than residential work. Large-scale projects like hospitals, office buildings, and manufacturing facilities require complex systems and pay accordingly.
Specialized roles such as pipefitters working on steam systems, plumbers certified in medical gas installation, or those handling hazardous materials systems can earn premium wages. Emergency plumbing services, especially those operating 24/7, also offer higher salary rates because of the inconvenience factor.
How Plumbers Can Increase Their Earnings
Growing your plumbing income involves strategic career moves and skill development. Here are practical tips from our experts to help you prepare for career growth:
Pursue Higher Certifications
Moving from journeyman to master plumber certification is one of the most direct paths to higher pay rate. Taking additional training and testing creates opportunities for management and leadership roles. Additional plumbing certifications in backflow prevention, medical gas, or green plumbing also strengthen your qualifications when competing for higher-paying positions.
Develop Specialized Skills
Learning specialized areas like hydronics, commercial systems, or industrial pipefitting will set you apart. These skills are harder to find and more valuable to employers. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to consider which specializations align with local demand in your area to maximize your efforts.
Improve Customer Service Skills
Technical skill matters, but so does customer communication. Plumbers who explain problems clearly, provide accurate estimates, and maintain professionalism earn better reviews and more referrals. This directly impacts your income, whether you work for a company with performance bonuses or run your own business.
Consider Business Ownership
Many experienced plumbers eventually start their own plumbing businesses. Ownership gives you control over pricing, job selection, and business growth. However, that also means you’ll need to handle additional responsibilities such as licensing, insurance, marketing, and administration. The transition brings new challenges, but it also offers greater income potential and long-term growth in plumbing salary.
Embrace Technology and Efficiency
Field service management software helps you work smarter. Better scheduling means less downtime between jobs. Digital invoicing speeds up payment collection. Mobile access to job histories and system information helps you diagnose problems faster. These efficiency gains directly increase your earning capacity.
Is Starting Your Own Plumbing Business Worth It?
The financial upside of business ownership is substantial. Plumbing business owners earn between $94,000 and $120,000 per year on average. Some successful operations generate $70,000 to over $300,000 annually, depending on location, client base, and team size.
However, ownership comes with challenges. You’ll handle marketing, scheduling, customer relationships, invoicing, and all the administrative tasks that keep a business running. The financial rewards are higher, but so are the responsibilities and risks. If you’re considering this path, check out our comprehensive guide on how to start a plumbing business.
Streamline Your Plumbing Business with the Right Tools
Whether you’re a master plumber considering starting your own operation or already running a plumbing business, managing the administrative side efficiently is the key to thriving rather than just surviving. Scheduling jobs, dispatching techs, tracking work orders, and keeping invoicing organized quickly becomes overwhelming as you grow. That means finding the right field service management partner is critical.
WEX FSM provides field service management software specifically designed for plumbing businesses. It handles daily scheduling and dispatching, helping you create optimized routes and get your plumbers to more jobs with improved efficiency. Work order management can keep all job details, customer information, and service history in one place. If you’re looking to grow your plumbing business, WEX FSM’s field service management platform can help you optimize your pricing strategy so you can focus on what matters the most – delivering excellent services.
From apprentice to master plumber to business owner, each step brings increased income and opportunity. Location matters significantly, but so does specialization, reputation, and the management systems you put in place to run your operation efficiently. Ready to start your own plumbing company or take your current one to the next level?
Schedule a free demo today and learn WEX FSM can support your business growth.
Copyright ©2026 WEX Inc. All rights reserved. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
