Plumber Salary by State: Compare 10 Researched States.
Use wage medians to understand how location changes the picture—then verify licensing, apprenticeship and local conditions before choosing where to train or work.
Where does plumber pay stand out?
This table covers only states where TrainingForFuture currently maintains a researched trade guide. It is deliberately not presented as a complete 50-state ranking.
What changes the number inside a state?
- ✓Metro versus rural labor markets
- ✓Apprentice, journey-level and specialty experience
- ✓Union versus non-union compensation structures
- ✓Overtime, prevailing-wage and shift work
- ✓Industry, project type and contractor demand
- ✓Local licensing and credential requirements
Salary does not tell you whether the trade fits you.
Use the free report to compare career fit, then return to state wage and apprenticeship tools for the path that actually matches your goals.
Find My Best Trade Free →Frequently asked questions
Which researched state pays plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters the most?
Among the 10 states in TrainingForFuture's current researched dataset, New York has the highest May 2025 median at $77,490. This is not a ranking of all 50 states.
What is the national median pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters?
The current national median benchmark used by TrainingForFuture is $63,800 for May 2025.
Are these starting salaries?
No. State and national medians describe the midpoint of wage distributions for workers in the occupation. Entry-level and apprentice pay can be lower.
Should I choose a state based only on salary?
No. Licensing rules, cost of living, overtime, metro area, specialization, union access and apprenticeship availability can matter as much as the state median.
Primary wage reference: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. TrainingForFuture state guides link the underlying public wage source and the relevant state licensing/apprenticeship resources.