Plumber Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Plumbers install and repair piping systems for water, gas, and waste in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, balancing code compliance with practical problem-solving.
National Median
$68,000
Best State (Net)
$70,496
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$56,426
No state tax
Job Growth
2%
Key Facts — Plumber 2026
BLS median: $61,550 for plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters (BLS May 2023 OES)
UA Local 1 (NYC) is among the strongest plumbing locals in the country
CA C-36 contractor license requires 4 years documented experience + exam
Plumbing contractors with established businesses can clear $200K+ regularly
Aging workforce — 30% of plumbers are 55+ — creates strong apprentice demand
Salary by Experience Level
Apprentice (Years 1–4)
$45,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$38,206
UA apprenticeship; paid scale
Journeyman Plumber
$70,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$57,833
Standard mid-career
Master Plumber
$105,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$82,456
License pulls permits, signs work
Plumbing Contractor
$165,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$123,780
Business owner; revenue-driven
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor (Owner) | $149,600 | +120% |
| Industrial Plumber (Petrochemical) | $88,400 | +30% |
| Master Plumber (UA Local 1 NYC) | $91,800 | +35% |
| Service Plumber (Residential) | $74,800 | +10% |
| Hurricane Recovery (Florida) | $95,200 | +40% |
| Water Recycling Specialist (CA) | $78,200 | +15% |
Best States for Plumbers — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Plumber Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $88,000 | $70,496 | |
| $75,000 | $58,351 | |
| $70,000 | $57,833 | |
| $75,000 | $57,241 | |
| $75,000 | $55,951 | |
| $72,000 | $55,609 | |
| $70,000 | $55,111 | |
| $70,000 | $55,083 | |
| $65,000 | $54,276 | |
| $72,000 | $53,939 | |
| $65,000 | $52,276 | |
12Maryland | $65,000 | $51,901 |
| $62,000 | $51,865 | |
| $68,000 | $51,206 | |
| $62,000 | $50,422 | |
| $60,000 | $50,258 | |
17Michigan | $62,000 | $49,868 |
18Oregon | $65,000 | $49,326 |
19Delaware | $62,000 | $49,280 |
20Virginia | $62,000 | $49,163 |
21Arizona | $60,000 | $49,133 |
| $60,000 | $49,133 | |
23Ohio | $60,000 | $48,683 |
| $58,000 | $48,651 | |
25Colorado | $60,000 | $48,278 |
| $60,000 | $47,873 | |
27Utah | $58,000 | $46,695 |
28Missouri | $58,000 | $46,523 |
29Indiana | $56,000 | $45,753 |
| $54,000 | $45,437 | |
| $56,000 | $45,302 | |
32Georgia | $56,000 | $44,793 |
33Iowa | $56,000 | $44,707 |
34Nebraska | $56,000 | $44,650 |
35Montana | $56,000 | $44,625 |
| $55,000 | $44,341 | |
37Kansas | $55,000 | $44,241 |
38Maine | $56,000 | $44,113 |
39Vermont | $56,000 | $43,928 |
40Idaho | $55,000 | $43,921 |
| $54,000 | $43,838 | |
| $52,000 | $43,830 | |
43Kentucky | $54,000 | $43,682 |
| $54,000 | $42,941 | |
| $50,000 | $42,223 | |
46Oklahoma | $52,000 | $42,073 |
47Alabama | $50,000 | $40,823 |
48Arkansas | $48,000 | $39,164 |
| $48,000 | $39,131 | |
| $46,000 | $37,769 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Plumber
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Plumber Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$40,823
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$70,496
net
Arizona
$49,133
net
Arkansas
$39,164
net
California
$53,939
net
Colorado
$48,278
net
Connecticut
$55,083
net
Delaware
$49,280
net
FloridaNo state tax
$45,437
net
Georgia
$44,793
net
Hawaii
$55,951
net
Idaho
$43,921
net
Illinois
$55,111
net
Indiana
$45,753
net
Iowa
$44,707
net
Kansas
$44,241
net
Kentucky
$43,682
net
Louisiana
$45,302
net
Maine
$44,113
net
Maryland
$51,901
net
Massachusetts
$58,351
net
Michigan
$49,868
net
Minnesota
$51,206
net
Mississippi
$37,769
net
Missouri
$46,523
net
Montana
$44,625
net
Nebraska
$44,650
net
NevadaNo state tax
$54,276
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$51,865
net
New Jersey
$55,609
net
New Mexico
$43,838
net
New York
$57,241
net
North Carolina
$44,341
net
North Dakota
$49,133
net
Ohio
$48,683
net
Oklahoma
$42,073
net
Oregon
$49,326
net
Pennsylvania
$50,422
net
Rhode Island
$52,276
net
South Carolina
$42,941
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$42,223
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$43,830
net
TexasNo state tax
$48,651
net
Utah
$46,695
net
Vermont
$43,928
net
Virginia
$49,163
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$57,833
net
West Virginia
$39,131
net
Wisconsin
$47,873
net
WyomingNo state tax
$50,258
net