Plumber Salaries: Essential Trades, Strong Pay

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and maintain piping systems for water, gas, drainage, and heating. Like electricians, plumbers follow an apprenticeship model and can advance to journeyman and master levels — with corresponding increases in pay and licensing privileges.

Apprenticeship to Journeyman

Plumbing apprenticeships typically run 4–5 years, with apprentices earning a percentage of journeyman wages while they train. Journeyman plumbers earn the BLS median figure; master plumbers with licenses to oversee installations and run businesses earn above it. The investment in apprenticeship pays off quickly — licensed plumbers command strong wages throughout their careers.

Union vs. Non-Union

United Association (UA) plumbers in unionized markets — particularly Illinois, New York, and California — earn substantially more than non-union plumbers in right-to-work states. Union wages in major cities can be 50–100% above national median.

Highest-Paying States

Illinois, Alaska, New York, and California consistently rank at the top for plumber wages. Browse the Construction and Extraction Occupations group for full trades wage data.