Union plumbers (UA) in Chicago and NYC routinely earn $120K+ with overtime.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Plumbers. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $50,900 | $37,000 | $67,900 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $63,300 | $46,000 | $84,300 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $72,800 | $52,900 | $97,000 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $87,300 | $63,400 | $116,400 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $99,000 | $71,900 | $131,900 |
Top 10 states by median Plumber salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $106,200 | $80,700 | $138,100 | +46% |
| Hawaii | $103,300 | $78,500 | $134,300 | +42% |
| New York | $103,300 | $78,500 | $134,300 | +42% |
| Washington DC | $101,900 | $77,400 | $132,400 | +40% |
| Illinois | $96,000 | $73,000 | $124,900 | +32% |
| Massachusetts | $94,600 | $71,900 | $123,000 | +30% |
| Washington | $94,600 | $71,900 | $123,000 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $91,700 | $69,700 | $119,200 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $88,000 | $66,900 | $114,500 | +21% |
| Maryland | $87,300 | $66,400 | $113,500 | +20% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $61,900 | $47,000 | $80,400 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $61,100 | $46,500 | $79,500 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $61,100 | $46,500 | $79,500 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $61,100 | $46,500 | $79,500 | -16% |
| Alabama | $60,400 | $45,900 | $78,500 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $60,400 | $45,900 | $78,500 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $58,200 | $44,200 | $75,700 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $58,200 | $44,200 | $75,700 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $56,800 | $43,100 | $73,800 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $56,800 | $43,100 | $73,800 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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