Journeyman Plumber Salary Calculator

Below is a complete guide to every section on this page. Each heading is structured as a question and links directly to the corresponding section of the Journeyman Plumber Salary Calculator guide.

1. What Are the Salary Ranges for a Journeyman Plumber?
2. What Is the Entry Level Salary for a Journeyman Plumber?
3. How Much Does a Journeyman Plumber Earn at Entry Level vs Senior Level?
4. Where Are the Best Job Markets for Journeyman Plumbers?
5. Which Employers Hire Journeyman Plumbers and What Do They Pay?
6. What Job Responsibilities Affect Journeyman Plumber Salary?
7. What Pushes Journeyman Plumber Pay Higher?
8. What Factors Reduce Journeyman Plumber Salary?
9. What Benefits Do Journeyman Plumbers Typically Receive?
10. What Skills Impact Journeyman Plumber Salary?
11. How Does Journeyman Plumber Salary Vary by Different States and Cities?

The salary calculator uses $30.00 per hour as the national median reference point for a journeyman plumber working in a standard metropolitan market. Under a typical full-time assumption of 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year, this translates to approximately $62,400 per year at the midpoint.

However, the calculator produces low and high ranges rather than a single number, because real-world wages depend heavily on apprenticeship stage, union status, and geographic market. The table below illustrates typical ranges for a journeyman-stage plumber before any union uplift or location adjustment.

Activating the union toggle adds an approximate 15% uplift to the hourly figure before conversion, pushing the high end of the annual range above $90,000 in many markets. Users who select part-time or modify hours per week will see weekly, monthly, and annual estimates recalculate proportionally. Choosing a large metro area like New York City or Los Angeles shifts the range upward, while a small market pulls it down.

Within the plumbing trade, entry level corresponds to the apprentice stage — the period before a plumber earns a journeyman license. The salary calculator's apprenticeship stage model reflects this directly. When you select the apprentice stage, the calculator applies a significant downward adjustment from the $30.00 journeyman baseline, because apprentices are still completing supervised hours and classroom instruction required by state licensing boards.

Apprentice plumbers in the United States typically earn between $16.00 and $22.00 per hour, depending on where they fall in a four- or five-year apprenticeship program and the metro area they work in. Under a 40-hour week, that places entry-level annual gross pay in the range of approximately $33,280 to $45,760.

Union apprentices often sit at the higher end of this band. Toggling the union option in the calculator applies the 15% uplift even at the apprentice stage, which reflects the structured wage scales in union apprenticeship programs where pay increases are tied to completed training milestones. A first-year union apprentice in a state like Illinois may start notably higher than a non-union apprentice in a small market in Georgia.

The after-tax module is particularly useful for apprentices evaluating whether to classify as a W-2 employee under a plumbing contractor or take early side work as a 1099 worker, since the self-employment tax burden under 1099 can erode effective take-home pay significantly at these wage levels.

The salary calculator's three-stage apprenticeship model — apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber — captures the wage progression in the trade more accurately than generic "years of experience" sliders. The gap between the apprentice floor and the master plumber ceiling is substantial.

A master plumber who toggles on the union option in the calculator can see hourly estimates push past $55.00 or more in high-demand, large-metro markets. Master plumbers in states with strong licensing requirements — such as Connecticut or New Jersey — often command rates at the very top of the range because the barrier to entry at that level is steep.

The compounding effect of stage, union status, and market size is where the calculator provides the most value. A union master plumber in Boston will see a dramatically different annual estimate than a non-union journeyman in a small North Carolina town, even before after-tax adjustments are applied.

The strongest job markets for journeyman plumbers combine high construction and renovation activity, strong union presence, favorable licensing frameworks, and population density that sustains steady residential and commercial service demand. Large metro areas consistently produce the highest hourly rates in the salary calculator due to the market-size adjustment factor.

Markets like New York City and Chicago benefit from dense union infrastructure and constant large-scale construction. Houston and Dallas pay less per hour but compensate with zero state income tax, which the calculator's after-tax module captures clearly. Phoenix and Atlanta represent fast-growing metros where demand is rising, though wage floors remain lower than coastal cities.

Journeyman plumbers work for a wide range of employers, from large mechanical and plumbing contractors to municipal governments and national service companies, each with distinct pay structures.

Large mechanical contractors like EMCOR Group and Comfort Systems USA tend to pay at or above the $30.00 baseline because they staff commercial and industrial projects that demand licensed journeymen. National service franchises like Mr. Rooter Plumbing and ARS/Rescue Rooter typically fall below the median but may offer higher total compensation through overtime volume. Union contractors affiliated with the United Association (UA) consistently sit at the top of the range. The salary calculator's W-2 vs 1099 toggle is especially relevant when comparing an offer from a large W-2 employer against independent subcontracting work, where the gross hourly rate may look higher but the after-tax result can be lower.

A journeyman plumber's daily work directly influences where they fall within the salary calculator's estimated range. The core responsibility set includes installing, repairing, and maintaining piping systems for water supply, drainage, waste, and gas lines in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Journeymen read and interpret blueprints and building codes, cut and thread pipe, solder copper fittings, join PVC and cast-iron assemblies, and test systems for leaks using pressure gauges.

Plumbers who handle more complex scopes of work — such as medical gas piping in hospitals, backflow prevention device installation and testing, or underground sewer main replacement — typically earn at the higher end of the range. These tasks require additional certifications and carry greater liability, which employers compensate for accordingly.

Supervisory responsibilities also shift pay upward. A journeyman who leads a crew of apprentices on a commercial new-construction site takes on scheduling, quality control, and code compliance duties that place them closer to master-plumber-level compensation in the calculator. Conversely, a journeyman performing routine residential service calls — snaking drains, replacing fixtures, and repairing leaks — will generally fall toward the midpoint or lower end of the hourly range.

Emergency and after-hours service work commands premium rates, often 1.5x to 2x the standard hourly figure. The calculator's hours-per-week input can be adjusted to reflect this; a journeyman consistently logging 50-hour weeks with overtime will see substantially higher weekly and annual estimates.

Union membership is the single most impactful factor. The salary calculator applies an approximate 15% uplift when the union toggle is activated, and in practice, UA Local union wage scales in markets like New York City, Chicago, and Boston can exceed even that premium when factoring in fringe benefits paid on top of the hourly wage.

Advancement to master plumber licensure raises the calculator's estimate to the highest tier in the apprenticeship stage model. Master plumbers can pull permits, run their own shops, and bid on contracts independently — all of which carry wage premiums.

Large metro job market selection applies the calculator's highest market-size adjustment factor. A journeyman in a large metro like San Francisco or Washington, DC will see estimates that far exceed those in a small market.

Specialized certifications in areas such as medical gas installation (ASSE 6010), backflow prevention (ASSE 5110), or natural gas piping directly correlate with higher pay. Employers staffing hospitals, laboratories, and industrial facilities specifically seek these credentials and pay a premium for them.

Commercial and industrial project experience — particularly on prevailing-wage government contracts governed by the Davis-Bacon Act — pushes effective hourly rates well above standard residential service rates. Prevailing wage rates in states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut can exceed $50.00 per hour including fringe.

Overtime availability amplifies annual earnings substantially. A journeyman who adjusts the calculator to 50 hours per week and accounts for overtime multipliers can see annual estimates climb by 20% or more compared to the standard 40-hour assumption.

Working in a small or rural job market triggers the salary calculator's lowest market-size adjustment. Demand for plumbing services in areas with low population density and minimal new construction simply does not support the same wage floor as a major metro.

Remaining at the apprentice stage keeps the calculator's output anchored to the lower tier. Apprentices who stall on accumulating supervised hours or fail licensing exams will continue earning entry-level wages for longer than the standard apprenticeship timeline.

Non-union employment means the 15% union uplift is absent from the calculator's output. In states with low union density — such as Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida — the absence of a collectively bargained wage floor can result in hourly rates several dollars below the national median.

1099 independent contractor classification can reduce effective take-home pay even when the gross hourly rate appears competitive. The calculator's after-tax module shows this clearly: 1099 workers bear the full 15.3% self-employment tax burden (employer and employee shares of FICA), which a W-2 employee splits with their employer.

Residential-only service work in price-sensitive markets creates downward pressure. Homeowners shop for the lowest bid, and plumbing companies competing on price pass those margins through to their journeymen in the form of lower hourly rates.

States with weak or no licensing requirements at the journeyman level can depress wages because the labor supply is less restricted. The barrier to calling oneself a plumber is lower, which increases competition and suppresses the wage floor.

The benefits package a journeyman plumber receives varies significantly based on employer type and employment classification, which is why the salary calculator includes both W-2 and 1099 options in its after-tax module.

W-2 employees at established plumbing contractors and mechanical firms typically receive employer-sponsored health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, paid holidays, and employer contributions to a 401(k) or pension plan. The calculator's 401(k) contribution field allows you to see how pre-tax retirement contributions affect your take-home pay. Union journeymen covered under UA Local agreements often receive benefits funded through employer contributions to multi-employer trust funds — these include a defined-benefit pension, an annuity fund, and health insurance that covers the plumber and dependents at no out-of-pocket premium cost. These fringe benefits can add $15.00 to $25.00 per hour on top of the base wage in markets like New York, Illinois, and New Jersey.

1099 independent contractors receive none of these employer-funded benefits. They must purchase their own health insurance, fund their own retirement accounts (SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)), and pay both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes. The salary calculator's after-tax output for 1099 workers reflects this heavier tax burden, making it easier to compare a $40.00/hour 1099 offer against a $34.00/hour W-2 position with full benefits.

Other common benefits for W-2 journeyman plumbers include company-provided work vehicles or vehicle allowances, tool allowances or employer-supplied specialty tools, and continuing education reimbursement for licensing renewal and specialty certifications.

Blueprint reading and code interpretation are foundational. A journeyman who can independently read isometric drawings and navigate the Uniform Plumbing Code or International Plumbing Code without supervision is worth more to an employer staffing commercial projects, and the salary calculator's higher-end estimates assume this competency.

Pipe welding and brazing — particularly on medical gas, steam, and high-pressure systems — command premium pay. Plumbers who hold welding certifications (such as ASME Section IX qualifications) can access industrial work that pays at the top of the calculator's range.

Backflow prevention and cross-connection control certification is required by many municipalities and creates a niche specialty. Journeymen who can test, repair, and certify backflow assemblies generate recurring revenue for their employers and are compensated accordingly.

Proficiency with modern diagnostic tools — including sewer camera inspection equipment, electronic leak detection, and hydrostatic testing apparatus — separates higher-earning journeymen from those limited to basic hand-tool repairs.

Estimating and customer communication skills matter especially in residential and light commercial service companies. A journeyman who can accurately scope and price a job on-site, explain options to a homeowner, and close the sale generates more revenue per truck roll. Service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS/Rescue Rooter often tie bonuses or performance pay to these capabilities.

Supervisory and mentoring ability — effectively leading apprentices, delegating tasks, and ensuring code compliance on a job site — signals readiness for foreman or master plumber roles, which the calculator models at the highest pay tier.

Location is one of the most powerful variables in the Journeyman Plumber Salary Calculator. State income tax rates, cost of living, union density, licensing requirements, and local demand all feed into the estimates. Below, each state and city is addressed individually so you can understand what drives the calculator's output for your specific area.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in New York?

New York has some of the highest plumbing wages in the country. Strong union presence through UA Local 1 in New York City and other locals across the state drives collectively bargained rates well above the $30.00 baseline. However, state income tax is substantial, and the cost of living — particularly in the New York City metro — is among the nation's highest. The salary calculator's after-tax module captures this: a high gross wage in New York will see a larger deduction than the same gross wage in a no-income-tax state. Prevailing wage requirements on public projects further inflate gross hourly rates for journeymen working government-funded jobs.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in California?

California consistently ranks among the top-paying states for journeyman plumbers due to high construction volume, strict state licensing through the CSLB, and strong union representation. State income tax is among the highest in the nation, which the calculator reflects in the after-tax output. The combination of a high cost of living and high gross wages means the calculator is especially useful for California-based plumbers trying to understand their actual take-home pay rather than just the headline hourly number.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Florida?

Florida has no state income tax, which gives journeyman plumbers a take-home advantage visible immediately in the calculator's after-tax estimates. However, union density is low across most of the state, meaning the union toggle is less likely to apply. Rapid population growth and hurricane-related construction keep demand steady, but competition among non-union contractors can hold hourly rates closer to or slightly below the $30.00 baseline in many markets.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Texas?

Texas is another no-income-tax state, so the salary calculator shows a favorable after-tax result relative to gross pay. Texas requires a state journeyman plumber license through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which provides some wage floor protection. However, union density is low outside of niche industrial sectors. Massive construction activity in metros like Houston and Dallas sustains strong demand, but hourly rates in smaller Texas cities can fall below the $30.00 baseline.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Michigan?

Michigan has a moderate state income tax and historically strong union culture, particularly in the Detroit metro area. UA locals in Michigan negotiate competitive wage packages for commercial and industrial plumbing work. The calculator's union toggle is highly relevant here. Outside of the Detroit and Grand Rapids metros, market sizes tend toward mid-sized or small, which pulls the market-size adjustment downward.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Georgia?

Georgia has a moderate state income tax and relatively low union density. The Atlanta metro is the primary large job market, with steady demand driven by population growth and commercial development. Outside of metro Atlanta, markets are smaller and hourly rates drop accordingly in the calculator. Georgia does not have the same stringent statewide licensing framework as some northeastern states, which contributes to a larger labor supply and somewhat lower wage floors in non-metro areas.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Ohio?

Ohio offers moderate wages for journeyman plumbers with a meaningful union presence in cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. State income tax is moderate. The calculator's market-size selection is important here because Ohio has several mid-sized metros rather than one dominant large metro. Union journeymen on prevailing-wage projects in Ohio can push well above the $30.00 baseline, while non-union residential plumbers in smaller cities may fall below it.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in North Carolina?

North Carolina has low union density and a moderate cost of living. The state does levy an income tax, though the rate is relatively flat and lower than many northeastern states. Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham are the strongest metros for plumbing demand, but even these markets tend to produce estimates at or slightly below the national median in the calculator. Plumbers in rural parts of the state will see the small-market adjustment pull estimates further down.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Illinois?

Illinois, driven almost entirely by the Chicago metropolitan area, is one of the strongest states for unionized journeyman plumbers. UA Local 130 in Chicago negotiates wage and benefit packages that consistently rank among the highest in the Midwest. The state income tax is a flat rate that applies uniformly, and the calculator reflects this in after-tax estimates. Downstate Illinois is a very different market — smaller cities and towns produce significantly lower estimates when you select a small or mid-sized market in the calculator.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Maryland?

Maryland benefits from proximity to Washington, DC and the steady flow of government-funded construction projects that carry prevailing wage requirements. Union presence is moderate to strong in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. State income tax is on the higher side, and some counties levy additional local income taxes, which the calculator's state-tax input captures. Journeyman plumbers working on federal projects in Maryland routinely earn above the $30.00 baseline even before union uplift.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Indiana?

Indiana has a flat state income tax rate and a moderate cost of living. Union presence exists primarily in the Indianapolis metro and the northwestern Indiana area adjacent to Chicago, where UA locals cover plumbers working in the broader Chicagoland construction market. Outside of these areas, the calculator's small-market adjustment applies and wage estimates trend below the national median. Indiana's licensing requirements for plumbers are locally administered rather than statewide, creating variability in qualifications and, consequently, in pay.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Virginia?

Virginia's strongest plumbing market is the Northern Virginia corridor, which benefits from the same federal project spending and high demand that lifts wages in neighboring Washington, DC and Maryland. The state income tax is moderate. Union density is low across most of Virginia, though pockets of organized labor exist in the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia areas. A journeyman selecting the large-metro market size for the Northern Virginia / DC area will see higher estimates than one in a smaller Virginia market like Roanoke or Lynchburg.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Connecticut?

Connecticut has a high cost of living, above-average state income tax, and strong licensing requirements for plumbers. These factors combine to produce gross hourly rates that sit above the $30.00 baseline for most journeymen in the state. Union presence is solid, particularly on commercial and institutional projects. The calculator's after-tax module is important here because Connecticut's tax burden means the gap between gross and net pay is wider than in many other states.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in New Jersey?

New Jersey is one of the highest-paying states for journeyman plumbers. Strict licensing requirements, strong union representation through multiple UA locals, high construction volume, and prevailing wage laws on public projects all push hourly rates well above the national median. State income tax is progressive and can be significant at higher income levels. The calculator shows that while gross wages in New Jersey are among the nation's best, the after-tax result is reduced by the state tax burden — though still highly competitive nationally.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Chicago?

Chicago is a top-tier market for journeyman plumbers. UA Local 130's negotiated wage scale, combined with the large-metro market-size adjustment in the calculator, produces some of the highest estimates in the Midwest. Commercial high-rise construction, infrastructure projects, and a dense population base ensure year-round demand. Toggling the union option in the calculator is particularly impactful for Chicago-based plumbers, as a large share of the commercial plumbing workforce in the city is organized.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is a large, high-demand market with strong union presence and a massive volume of residential and commercial plumbing work. California's state licensing requirements and high cost of living push gross wages above the national median. However, California's state income tax reduces take-home pay noticeably, and the calculator's after-tax module is essential for Los Angeles-based plumbers comparing offers. Traffic and commute times also mean that plumbers working across the sprawling metro may factor vehicle and time costs into their effective hourly rate.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in New York City (NYC)?

New York City produces the highest gross hourly estimates in the salary calculator for journeyman plumbers. UA Local 1's wage scale, combined with prevailing wage requirements on city and state projects, pushes rates that can exceed $50.00 per hour at the journeyman level before fringe benefits. The large-metro adjustment and union toggle together maximize the calculator's output. NYC also levies a city income tax on top of the state tax, which the state-tax input in the calculator approximates. Despite the heavy tax burden, net pay for NYC journeyman plumbers remains among the highest nationally.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Houston?

Houston is the largest plumbing market in Texas, with enormous demand driven by petrochemical, commercial, and residential construction. The absence of state income tax boosts after-tax results in the calculator. Union presence is limited compared to northern cities, so most Houston plumbers will leave the union toggle off. Industrial plumbing work at refineries and chemical plants along the Ship Channel can push hourly rates above the $30.00 baseline even without union representation.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Phoenix?

Phoenix is a fast-growing large metro with steady construction demand. Arizona's state income tax is low, which the calculator reflects favorably in after-tax estimates. Union density is minimal, so the wage structure is driven primarily by market competition among non-union contractors. Hourly rates tend to cluster around or slightly below the $30.00 baseline, though commercial and new-construction journeymen in the metro can exceed it. The desert climate drives specific demand for water heater and cooling-related plumbing work.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Atlanta?

Atlanta is Georgia's dominant metro and the primary large-market option for plumbers in the state. Rapid population growth and commercial development sustain consistent demand. Georgia's state income tax is moderate, and union density is low, meaning most Atlanta journeymen will not activate the union toggle. The calculator's estimates for Atlanta generally cluster around the national median. Plumbers willing to work on prevailing-wage projects or pursue commercial specialties can push above the baseline.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in San Diego?

San Diego benefits from California's strong licensing framework and a large-metro market-size adjustment in the calculator. Military base construction and renovation projects add a layer of demand unique to the area. Union presence is moderate, and prevailing wage work is available through public projects. California's high state income tax applies, so the calculator's after-tax estimates are essential for San Diego plumbers evaluating their real take-home pay. Gross hourly rates generally sit between the Los Angeles and national median levels.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Washington, DC?

Washington, DC is a premium market for journeyman plumbers. Federal government construction projects carry Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements that push hourly rates well above the baseline. UA Local 5 represents plumbers in the DC metro area with competitive wage scales. DC itself levies an income tax, and plumbers commuting from Maryland or Virginia face their respective state taxes. The calculator's state-selection feature is critical here, since a journeyman living in Virginia but working in DC will have a different after-tax outcome than one living in DC proper.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Boston?

Boston is a strong union market with high demand driven by institutional, commercial, and residential construction. UA Local 12 negotiates wage packages that place Boston among the top-paying cities for journeyman plumbers in the Northeast. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax that the calculator applies. The large-metro adjustment and union toggle together produce estimates near the top of the calculator's national range. Boston's strict licensing requirements through the state Board of Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters limit the labor supply and support higher wages.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Dallas?

Dallas shares Texas's no-income-tax advantage, which the calculator captures in after-tax outputs. The metro's rapid commercial and residential growth generates strong demand, though union representation is limited. Hourly rates for non-union journeyman plumbers in Dallas typically sit at or just below the $30.00 baseline, with commercial and industrial specialists earning above it. The large-metro market-size adjustment applies, but the overall wage level is below that of coastal cities due to lower cost of living and reduced union influence.

What Is the Journeyman Plumber Salary in Seattle?

Seattle combines a large-metro market, strong union presence through UA Local 32, a high cost of living, and no state income tax — making it a uniquely favorable market for journeyman plumbers in terms of after-tax take-home pay. Washington State's absence of income tax is a significant differentiator that the calculator highlights clearly when compared to neighboring Oregon or California. Gross hourly rates are well above the national median, and the after-tax retention is among the best in the country for large-metro plumbers.