Entry-Level Plumber Salary (2026): What Apprentice and New Journeyman Plumbers Actually Make
The average entry-level plumber hourly is $22.27 per hour ($46,330 annual) in 2026, based on the 10th percentile of BLS wage data. Apprentice plumbers start at 40–50% of journeyman scale; new journeymen at $22,390 to $76,703 in Sunnyvale, CA — driven by UA (United Association) union vs non-union, steamfitter / pipefitter / sprinkler-fitter specialty premium, journeyman license, and overtime / per-diem on mega-projects.
2019 BLS
$32,690
2025 BLS
$44,150
2026 Current Est.
$45,263
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
National Entry-Level Plumber Salary Trend (10th Percentile)
2019–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Entry-Level Salary (P10) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,263 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,403 | Projected |
Entry-level plumber salaries (10th percentile) have shown consistent growth over 7 years of BLS data. The 10th percentile represents typical starting pay for new graduates and early-career professionals. At the current 2.52% CAGR, starting salaries are projected to continue rising through 2027.
Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 2.52% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Plumber Salary by State
Entry-level plumber pay varies dramatically by state. The top-paying states offer starting salaries well above $46,330, while others fall below the national average. Here are all 52 states ranked by average starting salary for plumbers.
| # | State | Avg Starting Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $57,548 |
| 2 | Alaska | $56,838 |
| 3 | Illinois | $54,920 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $54,075 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $53,078 |
| 6 | Washington | $52,891 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $52,666 |
| 8 | Montana | $52,486 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $50,692 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $50,616 |
| 11 | Maine | $49,913 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $49,836 |
| 13 | Vermont | $49,754 |
| 14 | California | $49,401 |
| 15 | Colorado | $48,765 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $48,676 |
| 17 | Michigan | $48,430 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $48,341 |
| 19 | Indiana | $48,310 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $48,190 |
| 21 | Iowa | $47,945 |
| 22 | New York | $47,924 |
| 23 | Missouri | $47,364 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $47,270 |
| 25 | Connecticut | $47,122 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $46,883 |
| 27 | Arizona | $46,761 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $46,196 |
| 29 | Delaware | $45,885 |
| 30 | Ohio | $45,867 |
| 31 | Maryland | $45,693 |
| 32 | Virginia | $45,171 |
| 33 | Utah | $44,909 |
| 34 | Nevada | $43,713 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $43,367 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $42,510 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $42,004 |
| 38 | Kansas | $41,638 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $41,074 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $40,503 |
| 41 | Florida | $40,436 |
| 42 | Texas | $40,128 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $39,879 |
| 44 | Idaho | $39,863 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $39,232 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $38,823 |
| 47 | Alabama | $38,818 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $38,581 |
| 49 | Georgia | $38,539 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $38,101 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $36,603 |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $24,996 |
Beginner Plumber Pay: Top 20 Cities
These 20 metro areas offer the highest starting salaries for new plumbers. Each figure represents the 10th percentile of local BLS wage data — the typical pay range for professionals with little to no experience.
| # | City | Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale, CA | $76,703 |
| 2 | Santa Clara, CA | $75,018 |
| 3 | Elgin, IL | $73,867 |
| 4 | Urbana, IL | $73,420 |
| 5 | Bloomington, MN | $72,284 |
| 6 | Hillsboro, OR | $71,755 |
| 7 | Newton, MA | $71,123 |
| 8 | Naperville, IL | $70,485 |
| 9 | St. Paul, MN | $70,286 |
| 10 | Richland, WA | $70,039 |
| 11 | Vancouver, WA | $68,047 |
| 12 | Buffalo Grove, IL | $67,434 |
| 13 | Carbondale, IL | $66,764 |
| 14 | Plainfield, IL | $66,568 |
| 15 | Wheeling, IL | $66,198 |
| 16 | Carpentersville, IL | $66,054 |
| 17 | Tinley Park, IL | $66,004 |
| 18 | DeKalb, IL | $65,921 |
| 19 | Park Ridge, IL | $65,751 |
| 20 | Oswego, IL | $65,717 |
Plumber Salary With No Experience: Apprentice + New Journeyman Reality
The 10th percentile of BLS wage data is the standard proxy for entry-level plumber pay — predominantly first-year apprentices (40–50% of journeyman scale) and brand-new journeymen at year 1 post-license. Nationally, that sits at $22.27/hour ($46,330 annualized) for 2026. UA (United Association) apprenticeships provide structured 5-year programs with progressive scale; non-union varies by contractor.
What Apprentice + New Journeyman Plumbers Actually Earn (Year 1)
- UA apprentice year 1 (40-50% of JW scale) — NYC / SF / Boston JW scale $52–$72/hour means apprentice $21–$35/hour. UA 5-year structured program.
- UA apprentice year 3 (60-70%) — $32–$50/hour as scale progresses.
- UA journeyman plumber (top tier) — NYC Local 1, Boston Local 12, SF Local 38, Chicago Local 130, LA Local 78. $50–$72/hour scale + fringe + pension. Total package $90/hour+ in top metros.
- UA steamfitter / pipefitter journeyman — premium specialty. Often higher than plumber scale.
- UA sprinkler-fitter (fire suppression) — premium specialty.
- Non-union apprentice (open shop) — $14–$22/hour year 1; $22–$32/hour by year 4.
- Non-union journeyman — $22–$38/hour. Lower than union but more flexibility.
- Data center plumber (premium specialty) — UA or contracted. Per-diem $100–$150/day on travel jobs + heavy overtime. $150,000–$220,000 annual for journeymen.
- Semiconductor fab plumber (TSMC AZ, Intel OH, Samsung TX, Micron NY) — premium UA + heavy per-diem + overtime. $180,000–$250,000+ annual.
- Industrial plumber / pipefitter (refineries, power plants, chemical) — premium specialty + shutdown overtime. $150,000–$250,000+ annual.
- Federal plumber (USACE, DoD bases, VA, GS-7 to GS-9) — $45,000–$70,000 base + pension + PSLF.
- Maintenance plumber (hospital, university, large facility) — $50,000–$75,000 + benefits + stable.
Apprenticeship + Journeyman License + Master License
- UA apprenticeship — 5-year structured program. 8,000 hours OJT + 1,000+ classroom hours. Paid throughout.
- Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) apprenticeship — non-union alternative. 4-5 year structured.
- Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) — limited plumbing programs — open shop alternative.
- State-specific journeyman license — required to work independently. State exam after apprenticeship.
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) / International Plumbing Code (IPC) fluency — required at all levels. Code adopted varies by state.
- OSHA 10 / 30 / NFPA 70E — safety credentials.
- State master plumber license (post 2–4 years JW) — required for independent contracting + permit-pulling.
- State contractor license (plumbing) — required to operate own business.
- Specialty certifications (medical gas, backflow prevention, hydronics) — premium specialty.
- NITC certifications (steamfitter / pipefitter) — premium specialty.
Setting Selection: UA / Non-Union / Data Center / Industrial / Federal
- UA union (top scale + pension + benefits) — Locals 1 (NYC), 12 (Boston), 38 (SF), 130 (Chicago), 78 (LA).
- Non-union (open shop) — PHCC apprenticeship. Flexibility but lower scale.
- Data center plumber (premium specialty) — UA or contractor. Heavy per-diem + overtime.
- Semi fab plumber (TSMC AZ, Intel OH, Samsung TX, Micron NY) — premium UA mega-project.
- Industrial plumber / pipefitter (refineries, power plants, chemical) — premium + shutdown overtime.
- Maintenance plumber (hospital, university) — stable benefits.
- Federal plumber (USACE, DoD, VA) — pension + PSLF.
- Service plumber (residential, commercial) — broader exposure.
- Medical gas / specialty (hospital-focused) — premium specialty.
- Backflow prevention specialist — niche premium.
Year-by-Year Progression
- Year 1 apprentice (40–50% of JW scale) — $22.27/hour national average.
- Year 2 apprentice (50–60%) — UA scale.
- Year 3 apprentice (60–70%) — UA scale.
- Year 4 apprentice (70–85%) — UA scale.
- Year 5 (journeyman license + 100% scale) — $50–$72/hour top metros.
- Year 5–8 (specialty depth + overtime) — total package $100,000–$200,000+ at UA + premium specialty.
- Year 8–12 (master license + foreman / general foreman) — premium leadership pay.
- Year 12+ (project manager / contractor / owner) — own contracting business = $200,000–$500,000+ net.
2026 New Plumber Salary Outlook
Entry-level plumber pay has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.52% nationally — driven by data center mega-projects (process water + cooling for hyperscaler buildouts), CHIPS Act semi fab construction (ultra-pure water / process piping), IIJA water/sewer infrastructure modernization, heat-pump conversion + hydronics demand, and acute structural plumber shortage. The BLS projects plumber employment growth at 6% through 2033.
Entry-Level to Mid-Career: Plumber Salary Growth
Plumber salaries follow a predictable growth curve. Here's how pay typically progresses from entry-level to experienced:
How to Maximize Your Starting Plumber Salary
New plumbers who strategically pursue UA apprenticeship in top metros, target data-center / semi-fab specialties, and stack premium credentials consistently land starting compensation 50–100%+ above the national average. Here's how to maximize your first plumber total comp:
1. Target UA Top-Local or Data Center / Semi Fab
- UA Local 1 (NYC) — top scale — premier union local. Strong pension + benefits.
- UA Local 12 (Boston), Local 38 (SF), Local 130 (Chicago), Local 78 (LA) — top-tier metros.
- Data center mega-project — heavy per-diem + overtime.
- Semi fab mega-project (TSMC AZ, Intel OH, Samsung TX, Micron NY) — premium mega-project UA.
- Industrial / power plant / refinery pipefitter — premium + shutdown overtime.
- Highest-paying new plumber metro — Sunnyvale, CA at $76,703.
2. Apply to UA Apprenticeship
- UA 5-year apprenticeship — premier structured path.
- UA aptitude test — math + reading comprehension exam.
- UA interview — structured panel interview.
- High school + algebra prep — strong math fundamentals.
- OSHA 10 (pre-apprenticeship) — entry credential.
- Driver's license + clean record — required.
- Drug test + background — required.
- Physical fitness — heavy-lifting work; strong fitness preferred.
3. Master Plumbing Code + Pursue Specialty
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) / International Plumbing Code (IPC) mastery — required at all levels.
- OSHA 30 / NFPA 70E safety credentials — required.
- Medical gas certification (NITC) — premium hospital specialty.
- Backflow prevention certification — premium niche.
- Hydronics certification — premium heat-pump / radiant specialty.
- Steamfitter / pipefitter NITC certification — premium industrial specialty.
- Sprinkler-fitter certification — premium fire-suppression specialty.
- State journeyman license — required post-apprenticeship.
4. Choose Specialty for Premium Pay
- Data center plumber (premium specialty) — heavy per-diem + overtime.
- Semi fab plumber (ultra-pure water systems) — premium mega-project.
- Industrial pipefitter (refineries, power plants, chemical) — premium + shutdown overtime.
- Medical gas / hospital specialty — premium hospital specialty.
- Maintenance plumber (hospital, university) — stable benefits.
- Federal plumber (USACE, DoD) — pension + PSLF.
- Sprinkler-fitter / fire suppression — premium specialty.
- Service plumber (residential / commercial) — broader exposure.
5. Plan Master / Foreman / Contractor / Owner Path
- Master plumber license (years 5–8) — required for independent contracting + permit-pulling.
- Foreman / general foreman (years 7-10) — premium leadership pay.
- Project manager (years 10-15) — premium PM track.
- State contractor license + own business (years 10+) — premier long-term wealth path. $200,000–$500,000+ net.
- UA pension at 30+ years — premier retirement.
- Inspector / municipal inspector — alternative late-career.
- UA / PHCC training program instructor — alternative late-career.
- Specialty contracting (data center, medical gas, industrial) — premium niche.
More Salary Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the entry level plumber salary?
How much do new plumbers make with no experience?
What state pays entry-level plumbers the most?
How long does it take to reach the median plumber salary?
Is plumbing school worth the investment?
Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. We applied a 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS trends, to estimate current 2026 compensation.