Plumber & Pipefitter Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Assemble, install, and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures for water, gas, and drainage systems.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska AK | $95,135 | $45.74/hr | $77,408 | 840 | Fairbanks-College, AK | 122.9 |
| #2 | Illinois IL | $88,583 | $42.59/hr | $84,285 | 14,830 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 105.1 |
| #3 | Minnesota MN | $87,250 | $41.95/hr | $82,079 | 8,600 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 106.3 |
| #4 | Oregon OR | $86,045 | $41.37/hr | $70,761 | 5,900 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 121.6 |
| #5 | Wisconsin WI | $84,838 | $40.79/hr | $84,838 | 7,910 | Eau Claire, WI | 100.0 |
| #6 | Massachusetts MA | $84,651 | $40.70/hr | $64,718 | 12,300 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #7 | Washington WA | $81,330 | $39.10/hr | $72,101 | 10,820 | Bellingham, WA | 112.8 |
| #8 | Montana MT | $79,962 | $38.44/hr | $69,958 | 1,240 | Billings, MT | 114.3 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Post-secondary certificate (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities; state journeyman license
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team; state journeyman license
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Plumber & Pipefitter: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Skilled Trades Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Skilled Trades occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Plumber & Pipefitter. Official 2026 economic data for Plumber & Pipefitter compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Plumber & Pipefitter range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Plumber & Pipefitter: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Plumber & Pipefitter is $63,800 per year ($30.67/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 388 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $46,070 in Valdosta, GA to $107,560 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Plumber & Pipefitter
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $107,560 | +68.6% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,380 | +62.0% |
| Bellingham, WA | $102,750 | +61.1% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,630 | +59.3% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $101,010 | +58.3% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $97,130 | +52.2% |
| Bloomington, IN | $96,980 | +52.0% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $96,760 | +51.7% |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $96,670 | +51.5% |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $95,530 | +49.7% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,230 | +49.3% |
| Springfield, IL | $94,370 | +47.9% |