Plumber Salary in Washington: $92,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $92,461/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,090 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellingham ($102,750), Vancouver ($101,661), Richland ($99,154).
In Washington, the average median salary for plumbers in 2026 is projected at $92,462, significantly higher than the national median of $65,408, indicating a difference of 41.4%. The disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities is notable, with Bellingham offering $105,339, while Yakima residents earn $62,435, showcasing a gap of $42,904. This variance can be attributed to factors such as local demand, cost of living, and competition among employers. The state requires stringent licensing for plumbers, which includes completing an apprenticeship and passing exams. These regulations help maintain a high standard of practice and drive demand for qualified professionals. The projected annual growth rate for the job market is 2.52%, indicating a steady demand for plumbers in the coming years, supported by ongoing infrastructure projects and a growing population. Additional high-paying cities in Washington include Vancouver at $104,223, Richland at $101,653, Kennewick at $99,578, and Bellevue at $98,586. Together, these figures suggest a strong job market for plumbers across the state, positioning Washington as a favorable place for career development in this trade.
Washington Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $45,857 (lowest entry-level) to $161,546 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington plumbers earn 41.36% more than the national median (+$27,053/year difference).
Washington Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Washington range from $52,891 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $142,911 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $92,461. The Washington median is $27,053 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $44.45/hr. Approximately 11,344 plumbers are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,928
2025 BLS Actual
$90,189
2026 Current Est.
$92,461
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,928 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,252 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,189 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,791 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 23.7% from $72,928 (2019) to $90,189 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,791 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,863 (29.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Yakima | $62,435 |
| Walla Walla | $72,164 |
| Spokane | $74,635 |
| Tukwila | $75,837 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $75,955 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $105,339 | 103.334 | $101,940 |
| Kennewick | $99,578 | 100.079 | $99,499 |
| Vancouver | $104,223 | 107.4 | $97,042 |
| Richland | $101,653 | 107.4 | $94,649 |
| Bellevue | $98,586 | 107.4 | $91,793 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,891 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $92,461 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $142,911 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellingham | $105,339 |
| 2 | Vancouver | $104,223 |
| 3 | Richland | $101,653 |
| 4 | Kennewick | $99,578 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $98,586 |
| 6 | Seattle | $97,630 |
| 7 | Tacoma | $96,002 |
| 8 | Bremerton | $85,051 |
| 9 | Renton | $84,189 |
| 10 | Everett | $83,374 |
| 11 | Tumwater | $82,798 |
| 12 | Marysville | $82,750 |
| 13 | Longview | $82,744 |
| 14 | Shoreline | $82,295 |
| 15 | Olympia | $82,047 |
| 16 | Redmond | $81,970 |
| 17 | Kent | $81,902 |
| 18 | Kirkland | $81,769 |
| 19 | Burien | $81,665 |
| 20 | Lacey | $81,374 |
| 21 | Federal Way | $81,306 |
| 22 | Des Moines | $81,288 |
| 23 | Auburn | $81,099 |
| 24 | Lakewood | $81,067 |
| 25 | Issaquah | $81,022 |
| 26 | Sammamish | $80,488 |
| 27 | University Place | $80,461 |
| 28 | SeaTac | $80,397 |
| 29 | Pasco | $80,054 |
| 30 | Edmonds | $79,563 |
| 31 | Mount Vernon | $79,494 |
| 32 | Lake Stevens | $79,353 |
| 33 | Lynnwood | $79,302 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $79,150 |
| 35 | Bothell | $79,092 |
| 36 | Pullman | $78,742 |
| 37 | Puyallup | $78,563 |
| 38 | Ellensburg | $78,269 |
| 39 | Maple Valley | $78,055 |
| 40 | Camas | $77,857 |
| 41 | Oak Harbor | $77,528 |
| 42 | Kenmore | $77,028 |
| 43 | Covington | $77,022 |
| 44 | Spokane Valley | $76,071 |
| 45 | Wenatchee | $76,070 |
| 46 | Mountlake Terrace | $75,955 |
| 47 | Tukwila | $75,837 |
| 48 | Spokane | $74,635 |
| 49 | Walla Walla | $72,164 |
| 50 | Yakima | $62,435 |
More Washington Salary Data
Compare Cities in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Washington?
How does Washington plumber pay compare to the national average?
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Which Washington city offers the best value for plumbers?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov