Plumber Salary in Houston, TX: $62,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Houston, TX earns a median $62,845/year (≈ $30.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $63,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Houston, TX, earn a median salary of $62,845, reflecting a competitive rate in contrast to the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers here spans from $40,926 at the 10th percentile to $87,839 at the 90th, illustrating a diverse earning potential depending on experience, specialty, and employer type. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicate that the prevailing market dynamics are influenced by the significant wage gap between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers, with union members typically earning a premium of 30-50%. This disparity is a crucial aspect to consider for anyone assessing plumber pay in Houston, as union affiliations often lead to more lucrative opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,926 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,501 | $24.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,845 | $30.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,587 | $37.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,839 | $42.23 |
Median Salary Position
3.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,913 (2026 est.). At $62,845, the local median is 3.92% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Plumber Pay Compares
Houston median: $62,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $55,713 | +12.80% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -3.92% less |
Plumbers in Houston, TX earn a median of $62,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 12.80% above the Texas state average of $55,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $62,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,719 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,990
2025 BLS Actual
$61,300
2026 Current Est.
$62,845
2019–2027 Growth
+15.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 9.5% from $55,990 (2019) to $61,300 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,438 (15.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,926 – $50,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,501 – $62,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,845 – $77,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,587 – $87,839 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Houston
As the largest city in Texas, Houston houses approximately 10,980 plumbers, contributing to a vibrant job market, though the cost of living index at 98.629 suggests that take-home pay can stretch further here compared to national averages. Leading employers are often union plumbing contractors, which provide more stable pay scales, whereas non-union service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS utilize commission structures that can yield variable income based on individual performance. The gap between low and high earners is driven by factors such as specialization—those certified in medical gas or industrial plumbing typically command higher wages. Master and contractor licenses can significantly enhance earning potential, especially for self-employed plumbers. For those in Houston, maximizing income involves not only acquiring relevant certifications but also strategically choosing employers and specializations that align with market needs and trends.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,300 for plumbersin the Houston metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov