Plumber Salary in Seattle, WA: $97,630 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Seattle, WA earns a median $97,630/year (≈ $46.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $87,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the plumber salary reveals a competitive landscape, with a median annual income projected at $97,630 in 2026, notably higher than the national median of $65,408. This figure represents a diverse pay scale ranging from $53,239 at the 10th percentile to $157,368 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these numbers reflect the significant impact of union membership, especially for those affiliated with the UA (United Association), where pipefitter and steamfitter wages typically command a premium of 30-50% over non-union service plumbing positions. With a burgeoning demand for competent plumbers amid an aging infrastructure and workforce, opportunities abound for skilled tradespeople across the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,239 | $25.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,603 | $30.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,630 | $46.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,924 | $62.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,368 | $75.66 |
Median Salary Position
49.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,129 (2026 est.). At $97,630, the local median is 49.26% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Plumber Pay Compares
Seattle median: $97,630/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $82,042 | +19.00% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +49.26% more |
Plumbers in Seattle, WA earn a median of $97,630 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.26% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 19.00% above the Washington state average of $82,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,630 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,850 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,050
2025 BLS Actual
$95,230
2026 Current Est.
$97,630
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,630 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 20.5% from $79,050 (2019) to $95,230 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,040 (26.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,239 – $63,603 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,603 – $97,630 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,630 – $129,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,924 – $157,368 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Seattle
In Seattle, local job market conditions leverage the presence of approximately 6,350 plumbers, which underlines the robust demand within the industry. However, a cost-of-living index of 111.133 suggests that the higher salaries must also stretch to cover increased housing and living expenses. Among various employers, union plumbing contractors consistently offer the most lucrative pay, closely followed by well-established large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS. The disparity in earnings stems from the varying specializations; medical gas and industrial pipefitting roles command the highest rates, while residential service and self-employment can yield variable income primarily based on commission structures. To maximize earnings in this market, plumbers should focus on obtaining advanced credentials, such as a master license or medical gas certification, as well as considering union affiliations that frequently secure better wage opportunities in Seattle, WA.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,230 for plumbersin the Seattle metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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