If there's one thing that certain, it's this: plumbing will always be a necessity. With the labor shortage continuing, those who chose the profession are nothing short of essential. But, here's a question: where do plumbers get paid the most?

Recent research by Construction Coverage with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that plumbing jobs are projected to grow by a resounding 50% faster than the average across other U.S. jobs. Employment for plumbers is projected to increase by 4.5% between 2024 and 2034. Though that growth is slightly slower than in other sectors — namely electricians, who are seeing growth due to the influx of data centers — for plumbing, that increase is steadier, indicating more stable growth. 

Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage.

That's good news, showing that plumbing remains an incredibly viable option for those looking for reliable jobs. 

Plumber salary by state

While reliability is a major reason that many people might consider moving to a career in the plumbing industry, pay is another consideration. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbers earn about $62,970, 8% more than the average construction worker. That pay differs by state, however. The range varies greatly, with the top-paying state nearly double that of the lowest-paying state. 

Higher-paying regions often reflect tighter labor markets, stronger union presence, and higher demand for skilled work. That means attracting and retaining talent may require more than just competitive wages, especially in lower-paying regions.

At the top of the list is Illinois, with an adjusted median annual salary of $97,314. Rounding out the list is Florida, at $48,854. While higher wages are often found in northern and western states, they also tend to come with higher costs of living, which can influence both employee expectations and business pricing strategies.

Top-earning cities are mostly in the northern part of the country, with states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan all within the top 6. This may be due to colder climates creating more demand for services like repairs and emergency work. Western states like Oregon and Alaska also rank quite highly, while Southern states like Florida, Georgia, West Virgina and North Caroline ranking at the bottom of the list. According to Contractor Coverage, "This may reflect lower union density, lower prevailing wage standards, and generally lower labor costs in the region." 

Unsurprisingly, larger cities typically pay more, with those in the Midwest and the West ranking quite highly for plumbers. Top metros, include Rochester, MN ($106,751), Madison, WI ($103,825) and Kennewick-Richland, WA ($102,012). 

Highest-paying cities of plumbers 

Plumber wages vary significantly by metro size and region, with the highest pay concentrated in the Midwest and Northwest. Among large metros, Chicago leads at $96,424, followed by Portland ($93,899) and Minneapolis ($92,834), with several other Midwestern cities also ranking near the top. In contrast, Florida dominates the lower end of the list, with metros like Miami ($50,231), Tampa ($50,545) and Orlando ($51,083) offering the lowest wages among large cities.

A similar pattern appears in midsize and small metros. Madison, WI ($103,825) and Rochester, MN ($106,751) top their respective categories, along with several Midwestern markets exceeding $90,000. Meanwhile, lower-paying metros are again concentrated in Florida and parts of the Southeast, where wages generally range from the high $40,000s to low $50,000s. Overall, the data highlights strong regional differences, with colder climates and higher demand for service work often correlating with higher pay.