Plumber Salary in United States (2026) — Average Pay by City

Plumber pay in United States: Chicago leads, Dallas trails

The United States national median for a plumber is $77,100 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $61,300 in Dallas to $103,000 in Chicago (1.7×).

Plumbers install and repair piping, fixtures, and water systems. Common screening skills include Piping, Fixtures, Code, and Troubleshooting.

A modeled national band runs about $52,800–$106,800 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +6% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Chicago sits +34% vs the national median; Dallas sits -20%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A plumber raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby skilled trades titles on this site include Electrician, Carpenter, Chef, and Welder.

How to use Plumber pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($77,100), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $52,800 (10th) → $77,100 (median) → $106,800 (90th). Chicago’s observed median is $103,000, with a local band about $54,000–$127,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Chicago, you may still be under local market.

Plumber salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

City	Per year	Per month	vs. national
Chicago, IL	$103,000	$8,600	+34%
Washington DC, DC	$103,000	$8,600	+34%
San Diego, CA	$92,400	$7,700	+20%
Philadelphia, PA	$74,900	$6,200	-3%
Los Angeles, CA	$71,100	$5,900	-8%
Phoenix, AZ	$69,000	$5,800	-11%
San Antonio, TX	$65,000	$5,400	-16%
Houston, TX	$61,300	$5,100	-20%
Dallas, TX	$61,300	$5,100	-20%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a plumber make in United States?

The national median is about $77,100 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $61,300 to $103,000.

Which United States city pays plumbers the most?

Chicago, IL leads observed metros at about $103,000 per year (+34% vs national).

Which United States city pays plumbers the least?

Among observed cities, Dallas, TX is on the lower end at about $61,300 per year.

How many United States cities have plumber salary data?

9 metros list observed plumber percentiles in USD on this site.

Is plumber in demand in United States?

Occupation-level employment is projected at about +6% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.

Plumber Salary in United States