How much does a plumber make?
The median plumber in the United States earns $63,800 per year, about $30.67 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all plumbers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2152.
Plumber salary range
Pay for plumbers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,150 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $108,420. The average (mean) wage of $72,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,150 | $21.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,190 | $24.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,800 | $30.67 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $85,110 | $40.92 | |
| 90th percentile | $108,420 | $52.13 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (SOC 47-2152), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Plumber salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Plumbers earn the most in District of Columbia at $101,020 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $48,660. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,020 | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $99,950 | 16,750 |
| Oregon | $97,050 | 5,370 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 | 10,720 |
| Alaska | $93,920 | 1,200 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 | 13,460 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 | 10,210 |
| Washington | $81,030 | 12,470 |
| Michigan | $80,190 | 14,120 |
| Montana | $79,960 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $78,240 | 8,750 |
| Hawaii | $78,060 | 2,500 |
| New York | $77,490 | 23,210 |
| Connecticut | $77,280 | 5,410 |
| Rhode Island | $76,470 | 1,820 |
| Indiana | $76,320 | 11,280 |
| California | $72,830 | 47,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,080 | 13,620 |
| New Hampshire | $66,810 | 1,950 |
| Missouri | $66,790 | 8,310 |
| Maryland | $65,400 | 11,420 |
| Kansas | $65,220 | 4,590 |
| Delaware | $64,720 | 1,590 |
| Kentucky | $64,160 | 6,360 |
| Maine | $64,000 | 2,710 |
| Iowa | $63,890 | 5,730 |
| Louisiana | $63,680 | 8,360 |
| North Dakota | $63,560 | 1,620 |
| Ohio | $63,330 | 16,390 |
| Colorado | $63,240 | 10,080 |
| Wyoming | $62,410 | 1,140 |
| Vermont | $62,170 | 980 |
| Arizona | $62,070 | 11,810 |
| Utah | $61,900 | 7,030 |
| Nevada | $61,610 | 5,370 |
| New Mexico | $61,440 | 2,830 |
| Nebraska | $60,970 | 4,110 |
| Virginia | $60,470 | 13,780 |
| Texas | $59,840 | 44,090 |
| Alabama | $58,670 | 6,950 |
| Tennessee | $58,600 | 9,270 |
| Oklahoma | $57,970 | 6,050 |
| Georgia | $57,200 | 8,930 |
| North Carolina | $57,080 | 14,510 |
| West Virginia | $56,980 | 1,830 |
| Mississippi | $55,480 | 3,360 |
| South Carolina | $53,940 | 5,770 |
| Florida | $52,910 | 29,260 |
| Idaho | $52,380 | 3,090 |
| South Dakota | $51,620 | 1,760 |
| Arkansas | $48,660 | 3,370 |
State median wages for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (SOC 47-2152), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for plumbers
The BLS projects employment of plumbers to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 510,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 545,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 42,000 openings a year for plumbers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a plumber
The typical entry-level education for plumbers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a plumber earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $101,020) and the lowest (Arkansas, $48,660) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 465,840 people work as plumbers in the United States. At $63,800 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Plumber salary FAQ
How much does a plumber make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a plumber is $30.67. The middle half of plumbers earn between $24.13 and $40.92 per hour.
What is the highest plumber salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of plumbers earn more than $108,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a plumber make a year?
The median annual salary for a plumber is $63,800. The average (mean) wage of $72,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a plumber a well paid job?
At $63,800 a year, a plumber earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 465,840 people work as plumbers in the United States.
Which state pays plumbers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for plumbers at $101,020 a year. Illinois ($99,950) and Oregon ($97,050) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a plumber a good career?
Employment of plumbers is projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 42,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a plumber?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for plumbers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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