2026 Salary Guide
Plumbers earn $61,550 per year
on average in the United States
From $38,000 as an apprentice to $100,000+ as a self-employed master plumber. Use our calculator and see what plumbers really make.
National Median
$61,550/yr
Hourly Rate
$29.59/hr
Entry Level
$38,000/yr
Top 10% Earn
$100,000+
Salary Calculator
Adjust the inputs to estimate plumber pay in your area.
Annual Salary
$56,896
Hourly Rate
$27.35
Monthly Take-Home
$3,509
after ~26% tax
Career Progression
Typical earnings at each stage of a plumbing career.
Apprentice
Year 1-4
$35,000 - $42,000
Journeyman
Year 5-8
$48,000 - $65,000
Master Plumber
Year 8-12
$60,000 - $85,000
Business Owner
Year 10+
$80,000 - $150,000+
Salary by Specialisation
Median annual pay across career stages and specialisation areas.
| Specialisation | Apprentice | Journeyman | Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | $32,000 | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Commercial | $35,000 | $65,000 | $82,000 |
| Pipefitter | $36,000 | $68,000 | $88,000 |
| Steamfitter | $38,000 | $72,000 | $92,000 |
| Gas Fitter | $34,000 | $63,000 | $80,000 |
Pipefitters and steamfitters command the highest employed rates. Industrial work pays a premium for complexity and risk.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
Median annual plumber salary by state (BLS data).
Union vs Non-Union
How union membership affects plumber compensation.
| Factor | Union | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Hourly Rate | $35 - $50/hr | $25 - $38/hr |
| Health Insurance | Fully covered (family) | Varies, often partial |
| Pension | Defined benefit plan | 401(k) if offered |
| Apprenticeship Training | Free through JATC | Varies, may cost $1k-$5k |
| Job Security | High (seniority-based) | Moderate (market-based) |
| Overtime Availability | Regulated | More flexible |
| Annual Dues | $600 - $1,200/yr | None |
| Total Compensation Gap | +25-40% higher | Base comparison |
Union Advantages
Higher pay, comprehensive benefits, free training, pension, strong job protections, and consistent wage increases.
Non-Union Advantages
More flexibility in hours and overtime, faster entry into the trade, no dues, and greater geographic freedom.
Emergency and After-Hours Premiums
The income that salary sites never mention. Overtime and emergency work can add $8,000 to $20,000+ to your annual earnings.
Emergency Call-Out Fee
$100 - $250 flat
Plus hourly rate at 1.5x to 2x
Weekend Premium
1.5x standard rate
Saturday and Sunday work
Holiday Premium
2x to 3x standard rate
Federal holidays and peak periods
On-Call Pay
$50 - $150/week
Just for being available
Annual Impact of Overtime and Emergency Work
+$8,000 to $20,000/year
A journeyman who takes one emergency call per week and works two weekend shifts per month earns an extra $12,000 to $18,000 per year on top of base salary.
Self-Employed Plumber Income
The real money in plumbing comes from running your own business. Here is what the numbers look like.
Solo Operator
Gross Revenue
$80k - $150k
Net Income (Owner)
$60k - $110k
One truck, one plumber
2-3 Person Crew
Gross Revenue
$200k - $400k
Net Income (Owner)
$80k - $160k
Owner works on jobs + manages
5+ Person Shop
Gross Revenue
$500k - $1M+
Net Income (Owner)
$120k - $250k+
Owner manages, rarely on tools
What to Charge Per Hour
| Service Type | Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Residential Service Calls | $75 - $150/hr |
| Residential New Construction | $85 - $175/hr |
| Commercial Hourly | $100 - $250/hr |
| Emergency (after hours) | 1.5x - 2x standard rate |
| Drain Cleaning (flat rate) | $150 - $400 per job |
| Water Heater Install (flat rate) | $800 - $2,500 per job |
Typical Overhead (30-40%)
- Insurance (liability + vehicle)$3,000 - $8,000/yr
- Truck payment + fuel$8,000 - $15,000/yr
- Tools and materials$2,000 - $5,000/yr
- Licensing and bonding$500 - $2,000/yr
- Marketing and advertising$1,000 - $5,000/yr
- Bookkeeping and software$500 - $2,000/yr
Startup Costs
- Work truck (used or new)$15,000 - $45,000
- Tools and equipment$5,000 - $15,000
- Insurance (first year)$3,000 - $8,000
- Licensing and bonding$500 - $2,000
- Initial marketing$1,000 - $3,000
- Total to Start$25,000 - $75,000
How to Become a Licensed Plumber
Get Your High School Diploma or GED
Age 17-18Focus on maths, physics, and shop classes. Some vocational schools offer pre-apprenticeship programmes that count towards trade hours.
Start a Plumbing Apprenticeship
4-5 yearsApply through a local union (UA) or a non-union contractor. Apprenticeships combine 8,000-10,000 hours of on-the-job training with 200+ hours of classroom instruction per year.
Pass the Journeyman Exam
After year 4-5After completing your apprenticeship, pass the state or local journeyman plumber examination. Requirements vary by state. You can now work independently and pull permits.
Gain Experience as a Journeyman
2-5 yearsWork independently, build your skills across residential and commercial projects. Many plumbers specialise during this phase. Study for the master exam.
Earn Your Master Plumber Licence
After year 6-10Pass the master plumber exam (covers advanced plumbing codes, system design, and business knowledge). A master licence lets you start your own plumbing business and supervise other plumbers.