US PLUMBERS EARN
$61,550
PER YEAR ON AVERAGE
From $38,000 as a year-one apprentice to $150,000+ as a self-employed master. Wage data sourced from BLS OES, UA Local pay scales, and PayScale aggregates. Updated 27 March 2026.
National Median
$61,550/yr
Hourly Rate
$29.59/hr
Entry Level
$38,000/yr
Top 10%
$100K+/yr
Section 01 · Wage Estimator
Plumber Salary Calculator
Pick a state, career rung, and specialty. Numbers below update in real time. Tax assumes ~26% effective.
Wage Worksheet
FORM 47-2152-W
Estimated Wage
Annual Salary
$56,896
Hourly Rate
$27.35
Monthly Net
$3,509
after ~26% tax
Estimate
Only
Section 02
The Plumber Career Ladder
Apprentice to business owner is a 6-12 year ladder. Each rung has a fixed wage band defined by state law and industry practice. Climb at your own pace.
Apprentice
Year 1-4OJT + classroom. Earn while learning. Zero debt.
$35,000 - $42,000
View page →
Journeyman
Year 5-8Pull permits. Work independently. Pick a specialty.
$48,000 - $65,000
View page →
Master Plumber
Year 8-12Sign off on plans. Supervise crews. Eligible to own a business.
$60,000 - $85,000
View page →
Business Owner
Year 10+Solo or shop. Net depends on crew size and specialty.
$80,000 - $150,000+
View page →
Total time apprentice → master plumber: 6 to 10 years. See how to become a plumber for the full step-by-step.
Section 03
Pay by Specialty
Annual median wages across career stages and trade specialty. Industrial work pays the premium; gas fitting requires extra certification.
| Specialty | 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. See pipefitter vs plumber salary.
Section 04
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
Median annual plumber salary, ranked. Strong UA union presence drives the top of the table.
See the full 50-state pay table with cost-of-living adjustments. Illinois leads on raw pay; Michigan and Ohio lead on COL-adjusted purchasing power.
Section 05
Union vs Non-Union
UA Local journeymen earn 25-40% more in total compensation. Here is the side-by-side.
| Factor | Union (UA) | 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, consistent wage increases.
Non-Union Advantages
Hour flexibility, faster entry, no dues, geographic freedom, easier path to self-employment.
Full breakdown with UA Local rates: union vs non-union plumber pay.
Section 06
After-Hours and Emergency Income
The income that aggregator sites never quote. Overtime and emergency work add $8,000 to $20,000+ per year.
Emergency Call-Out Fee
$100 - $250flat
Plus hourly at 1.5x to 2x
Weekend Premium
1.5xrate
Saturday and Sunday work
Holiday Premium
2x - 3xrate
Federal holidays, peak periods
On-Call Pay
$50 - $150/wk
Just for being available
Annual Bonus Earnings
+$8,000 to $20,000/year
A journeyman taking one emergency call per week and two weekend shifts per month earns an extra $12,000 to $18,000 above base salary.
Section 07
Self-Employed Plumber Income
The real money in plumbing comes from running your own shop. Three crew sizes, three income tiers.
Solo
1 plumber, 1 truck
Gross Revenue
$80k - $150k
Net Owner Take-Home
$60k - $110k
Small Crew
2 to 3 plumbers
Gross Revenue
$200k - $400k
Net Owner Take-Home
$80k - $160k
Shop
5+ plumbers
Gross Revenue
$500k - $1M+
Net Owner Take-Home
$120k - $250k+
Section 08
How to Become a Licensed Plumber
5-step path from high school to master plumber. Zero student debt; earn $250,000+ during the apprenticeship years.
High school diploma or GED
Age 17-18Focus on maths, physics, and shop. Some vocational programs grant pre-apprenticeship hours.
Start an apprenticeship
4-5 yearsApply through a UA Local (free, JATC) or non-union contractor. 8,000-10,000 OJT hours plus 200+ classroom hours/yr.
Pass the journeyman exam
Year 4-5After apprenticeship, sit the state journeyman exam. Now you can pull permits and work independently.
Build journeyman experience
2-5 yearsPick a specialty (residential, commercial, pipefitter). Study for the master exam.
Earn the master plumber license
Year 6-10Pass the master exam. Now you can sign off on plans, supervise crews, and start your own business.
Section 09
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make an hour?
What is the starting salary for a plumber apprentice?
How much does a master plumber make?
Do union plumbers make more?
Can plumbers make six figures?
How much do self-employed plumbers make?
Which state pays plumbers the most?
How long does it take to become a licensed plumber?
Section 10
Related Reference
Plumber vs Electrician Salary
Plumbers edge out by $1,380/yr nationally. Electricians have stronger job growth.
Pipefitter vs Plumber
Same BLS code, different paychecks. Industrial pipefitters reach $90k-$120k+.
Commercial vs Residential
Why commercial plumbers earn 15-25% more than residential at every career stage.
Licensing by State
All 50 states. Hours, fees, exam requirements, reciprocity.
ElectricianSalary.com
Sibling reference: closely related trade, often compared during career decisions.
IncomeTaxByState.com
How state taxes affect your actual take-home plumber salary.