How much does a plumber make?

The median plumber salary in the United States is $63,800 per year ($30.67/hour). Salaries range from $44,150 (10th percentile) to $108,420 (90th percentile). There are 465,840 plumber jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays plumbers the most?

The highest paying state for plumbers is District of Columbia at $101,020 median salary.

Is plumber a good career?

Plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 44,000 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What interview questions are asked for plumber roles?

Common plumber interview questions include: "What size drain do you run for a 1-1/2 bathroom (bath + sink + toilet)?", "Walk me through soldering a copper joint.", "A customer's water heater is 12 years old and works fine. Do you replace it?". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example UA Local (Union — Plumbers, Pipefitters, Steamfitters) typically uses 1-2 rounds.

What is the career ladder for plumbers?

The typical plumber career ladder: Plumbing Apprentice (0-4 yrs, $32k-$55k (tiered up through 5-year term)) → Journeyman Plumber (4-8 yrs, $55k-$85k · Union $80k-$120k in high-cost cities) → Foreman / Lead / Specialty (6-15 yrs, $75k-$120k · Union foreman $110k-$160k with OT premium) → Master Plumber / Shop Owner (8+ yrs, $85k-$150k+ · Owner varies with revenue).

What certifications should plumbers get?

Top-ROI certifications for plumbers: OSHA 30 (Construction) ($150-200 for 30-hour course.); Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (ASSE 5110) ($400-800 for 40-hour course + exam.); Medical Gas Installer (ASSE 6010) + Verifier (ASSE 6020) ($600-1,500 per level.).

How do you negotiate a plumber salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $63,800, p75 $85,110), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. For union work: base is scale, negotiate on: dispatched jobs, travel pay, per diem, specialty referrals. For non-union shops: Given my [X years] as a journeyman, my [specialties — backflow / medical gas / gas fitting],...

Plumber Salary

Bureau of Labor Statistics title: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

The median plumber salary in the United States is $63,800 per year ($30.67/hour). Salaries range from $44,150 at the entry level to $108,420+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 465,840 plumber jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4.5% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asPlumberPipefitterSteamfitter

Median Salary

$63,800

per year

Hourly Rate

$30.67

per hour

Employment

465,840

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$44,150

25th percentile

$50,190

Median

$63,800

75th percentile

$85,110

90th percentile

$108,420

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4.5%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

44,000

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Apprenticeship

Plumber Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for plumbers.

Plumbers install and repair water, drain, gas, and steam piping in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Career splits three ways: residential service (customer-facing, tip income, seasonal), commercial construction (drawing-based, larger jobs, less customer contact), and industrial pipefitting/steamfitting (high pay, welding-heavy, often union). UA (United Association) apprenticeships are the gold path for pipefitting and industrial — 5 years paid + benefits + free tuition. Non-union residential shops train faster but pay less journeyman. Employers screen for: local plumbing code fluency, brazing/soldering/gluing quality, backflow prevention knowledge, and customer service (residential).

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Plumbing code (IPC or UPC + local amendments)

IPC (International Plumbing Code) or UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) depending on your state, plus local amendments. Fixture unit calculations, venting, DWV sizing, water pressure requirements.

Copper, PEX, and PVC work

Soldering copper (torch + flux), PEX crimping/expansion (Uponor vs Sharkbite vs crimp), PVC solvent welding, ProPress fittings. Each has failure modes.

Gas piping

Black iron threading, CSST installation, leak testing with pressure and soap. Gas mistakes kill — code strictness reflects that.

Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) sizing

Fixture unit calculations, slope requirements, vent sizing, cleanouts. Rough-in is where most residential plumbers earn their license.

Backflow prevention

Understanding of RPZ, DCVA, PVB devices. Installation, testing (with certified test kit), and annual reporting. Commercial requirement.

Fixture install + repair

Toilets, faucets, water heaters, dishwashers, garbage disposals, showers. Bread-and-butter of residential service.

Troubleshooting drain issues

Understanding when it's a clog (auger, jet), when it's a sag or belly (camera, excavation), when it's the main. Ability to sell the right fix, not the biggest fix.

How to Become a Plumber

1
Apply for an apprenticeship
UA (union) or PHCC / IEC (non-union). UA pays higher journeyman rates; non-union pays higher during apprenticeship in some regions. Apply Sept-Feb for a fall start.
2
Complete hours
~8,000 hours OJT + ~600 hours classroom over 4-5 years. States specify residential/commercial/industrial hour breakdowns.
3
Pass the journeyman exam
State- or municipal-level exam. Code-heavy. Some states also test fixture calculations.
4
Get your journeyman license
Now you can pull permits and work independently. Rate jumps 40-70% overnight.
5
Add specialty certifications
Backflow certification, medical gas, gasfitter, welding certifications for pipefitting. Each opens higher-pay work.
6
Master plumber (optional)
1-3 more years + exam. Required to own a shop or pull commercial permits in most states.

Career Progression

Plumbing Apprentice

0-4 yrs$32k-$55k (tiered up through 5-year term)

•Assist journeyman: dig trenches, cut/prep pipe, gopher work
•Attend classroom 1-2 nights/week
•Progress through 4-5 wage tiers as hours accumulate

Next: Pass journeyman exam.

Journeyman Plumber

4-8 yrs$55k-$85k · Union $80k-$120k in high-cost cities

•Pull permits, work independently on residential/commercial
•Supervise 1-2 apprentices
•Full rough-in through finish independently

Next: Foreman, specialty, or master.

Foreman / Lead / Specialty

6-15 yrs$75k-$120k · Union foreman $110k-$160k with OT premium

•Manage crews of 4-12 on large jobs
•Interface with GC and inspector
•Specialty tracks: medical gas, industrial pipefitting, backflow specialist

Next: PM, superintendent, or master license.

Master Plumber / Shop Owner

8+ yrs$85k-$150k+ · Owner varies with revenue

•Pull permits under master's license
•Own or manage a shop with employees, trucks, inventory
•Bid work, invoice customers, run payroll

Industrial Pipefitter / Steamfitter (Specialty)

5+ yrs$70k-$130k + significant OT during shutdowns

•Power plants, refineries, chemical plants
•Welding certifications critical (6G ready)
•Shutdown/turnaround work — long hours, high pay

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. What size drain do you run for a 1-1/2 bathroom (bath + sink + toilet)?technical

Depends on your code. Under IPC: toilet is 4 DFUs, tub is 2 DFUs, sink is 1 DFU = 7 DFUs total. A 2-inch drain handles up to 8 DFUs at 1/4-inch per foot slope, so a 2-inch would work. Most commercial installs use 3-inch minimum for the tub-and-toilet branch to allow future expansion. Always check your local amendments — some jurisdictions require 3-inch minimum for any water closet branch.

Q2. Walk me through soldering a copper joint.technical

Clean the pipe and fitting inside and outside with emery cloth or steel wool until bright. Apply flux to both surfaces. Assemble. Heat with a torch — evenly, from all sides. Apply solder when the pipe is hot enough to melt the solder on contact (not on the flame). Solder flows toward the heat by capillary. Wipe off excess with a damp rag while still warm. Common mistakes: too much or too little heat (cold joint), insufficient cleaning (dirty joint leaks), soldering on wet pipe (steam forms, pinholes).

Q3. A customer's water heater is 12 years old and works fine. Do you replace it?situational

Not automatically. Discuss with the customer: expected life for a residential water heater is 8-12 years for tank, 15-20 for tankless. At 12 years, they're at end-of-life. Options: keep it and set aside budget for eventual replacement, replace proactively (avoid the 3am emergency call and water damage), consider upgrade to tankless or heat pump. Not: 'You must replace this now.' Screening for: honest sales, not scare-selling.

Q4. Why do you want to work at our shop specifically?behavioral

Concrete. Residential: 'Your review pattern (no complaints about pricing across 500+ reviews) says a shop that doesn't cut corners.' Commercial: 'You do healthcare and school work, and that's the code-heavy specialty I want.' Industrial: 'Your reputation for turnaround work is what I want to grow into.' Not: 'I need a job.'

Q5. Explain a backflow preventer.technical

Prevents cross-contamination of potable water by backflow from a non-potable source. Types: (1) Air Gap — physical separation, cheapest and most effective; (2) AVB (atmospheric vacuum breaker) — for hose bibs; (3) PVB (pressure vacuum breaker) — for irrigation; (4) DCVA (double check valve assembly) — moderate hazard; (5) RPZ (reduced pressure zone) — highest hazard, requires annual certified test. Required by code at connections with hazards: irrigation, fire sprinkler, boilers, chemical connections.

Resume Template — Plumbing Apprentice (0-4 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Plumbing Apprentice (0-4 yrs)

▸Completed 6,400 hours OJT and 520 hours classroom instruction through UA Local [XXX] apprenticeship; on track for journeyman exam Q3 2025.
▸Rough-in and finish plumbing on 32 residential and 8 light commercial projects with zero inspection failures on my work.
▸OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, and Confined Space Entry certifications maintained current.
▸Awarded Apprentice of the Year 2023 at Local [XXX] for combination of attendance, classroom performance, and field evaluations.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Missing safety certifications — OSHA 10 minimum for any commercial site.
✗Inability to explain a basic code reference in interview.
✗History of failed drug tests, particularly for industrial/union work.
✗Attitude that safety procedures are 'optional.' Insurance-driven immediate DQ.
✗Showing up to a shop interview in dirty clothes or without valid driver's license.
✗Not knowing the difference between IPC and UPC (whichever your state uses).

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓Union card + Local transfer opportunities.
✓Backflow certification — required for many commercial contracts.
✓Medical gas certification (ASSE 6010) — hospital and lab work, top tier pay.
✓Welding certifications (6G) — industrial pipefitter pay grade.
✓Master plumber license (state-specific) for shop-owner track.
✓Bilingual, especially Spanish, valued at most shops.
✓Willingness to be on-call — often 1.5-2x rate for emergency service.

Plumber Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired plumbers. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

✓ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
✓ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
✓ Missing skills / keywords flagged
✓ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Plumber Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 5 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

✓ 7-day money-back guarantee — no questions asked

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Plumber Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$49K

$101K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
District of Columbia	$101,020	+58.3%	1,010
Illinois	$99,950	+56.7%	16,750
Oregon	$97,050	+52.1%	5,370
Minnesota	$94,410	+48.0%	10,720
Alaska	$93,920	+47.2%	1,200
Massachusetts	$93,880	+47.1%	13,460
Wisconsin	$81,210	+27.3%	10,210
Washington	$81,030	+27.0%	12,470
Michigan	$80,190	+25.7%	14,120
Montana	$79,960	+25.3%	1,860

Showing 1–10 of 51

Plumber Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$107,560	+68.6%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$103,380	+62.0%
Bellingham, WA	$102,750	+61.1%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$101,630	+59.3%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$101,010	+58.3%
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$97,130	+52.2%
Bloomington, IN	$96,980	+52.0%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$96,760	+51.7%
Fairbanks-College, AK	$96,670	+51.5%
Champaign-Urbana, IL	$95,530	+49.7%

Showing 1–10 of 391

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A plumber earning $63,800/year would need 934 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1003 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

See all sports & celebrity salaries →

📈 See how plumber salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Plumber salary trend (2011–2024) →