Plumber Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" (47-2152); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
Plumbers install and repair piping systems for water, gas, and sewage in residential and commercial buildings. They read blueprints, inspect systems, and ensure compliance with building codes.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Plumber
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $103,380 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $101,630 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $101,010 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $96,760 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $95,230 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $86,370 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $78,610 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $77,880 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $76,980 |
| 10 | Louisville, KY | $74,680 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | 103.6 | $99,792 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $96,955 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $95,816 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $89,372 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | 100.3 | $86,113 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $85,690 |
| 7 | Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $80,442 |
| 8 | Louisville, KY | 93.1 | $80,237 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $74,046 |
| 10 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $69,836 |
Plumber Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $74,300 | $103,380 | $122,540 | $127,200 | 12,750 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $65,290 | $101,630 | $114,980 | $121,720 | 6,730 |
| Portland, OR | $72,440 | $101,010 | $128,360 | $147,100 | 4,600 |
| Boston, MA | $62,640 | $96,760 | $117,900 | $143,950 | 9,200 |
| Seattle, WA | $62,040 | $95,230 | $126,730 | $153,500 | 6,350 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,190 | $86,370 | $99,650 | $107,780 | 5,520 |
| New York, NY | $61,900 | $78,610 | $107,970 | $145,480 | 21,040 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,650 | $77,880 | $121,770 | $155,330 | 5,660 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $59,830 | $76,980 | $97,480 | $102,370 | 4,010 |
| Louisville, KY | $51,660 | $74,680 | $88,420 | $94,920 | 2,780 |
| San Diego, CA | $61,390 | $72,510 | $94,480 | $127,790 | 5,100 |
| Washington, DC | $55,780 | $71,860 | $94,050 | $114,400 | 9,420 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $58,560 | $71,110 | $101,300 | $125,080 | 15,690 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,780 | $70,100 | $84,870 | $107,870 | 2,910 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $50,940 | $64,800 | $79,740 | $88,310 | 3,190 |
| Denver, CO | $59,920 | $63,900 | $81,350 | $102,770 | 5,750 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $54,430 | $63,750 | $90,470 | $100,710 | 9,270 |
| Columbus, OH | $49,340 | $63,260 | $85,370 | $103,000 | 3,060 |
| Austin, TX | $48,760 | $62,810 | $79,710 | $80,920 | 5,260 |
| Richmond, VA | $48,500 | $61,480 | $72,020 | $77,490 | 2,340 |
| Houston, TX | $49,260 | $61,300 | $75,680 | $85,680 | 10,980 |
| Dallas, TX | $47,910 | $61,250 | $75,290 | $82,230 | 11,980 |
| Raleigh, NC | $48,370 | $60,540 | $70,010 | $77,610 | 2,810 |
| Nashville, TN | $49,020 | $60,100 | $75,090 | $83,670 | 2,760 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $47,270 | $59,150 | $79,080 | $83,260 | 2,400 |
| Charlotte, NC | $47,430 | $58,690 | $64,230 | $76,010 | 3,840 |
| Memphis, TN | $47,460 | $58,690 | $75,380 | $82,020 | 1,920 |
| Atlanta, GA | $45,950 | $58,380 | $71,950 | $81,580 | 5,470 |
| Miami, FL | $47,560 | $57,760 | $63,960 | $75,010 | 5,930 |
| El Paso, TX | $45,630 | $53,560 | $61,320 | $88,370 | 640 |
5About the Plumber Role
Plumbers install and repair piping systems for water, gas, and sewage in residential and commercial buildings. They read blueprints, inspect systems, and ensure compliance with building codes.
Compensation for Plumbers varies by metro — from $53,560 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $103,380 in Chicago, IL. The $49,820 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see plumber salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Plumber salary in the US?
The national median Plumber salary is $63,800 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $50,190 and the 90th percentile reaches $108,420.
Which city pays Plumbers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, Chicago, IL has the highest median wage for Plumbers at $103,380 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Minneapolis, MN ($101,630) and Portland, OR ($101,010) are next.