Texas Salary Guide · 2026

Plumber Salary in Texas (2026)

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$72,000 USD is the average salary for a Plumber in Texas. This guide covers what licensed plumbers earn across all experience levels, from apprentice to master, and how pay varies across Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and El Paso. Pay differs based on licensing under the TDLR system, project type, and union status, with significant gaps between entry-level residential roles and high-demand industrial or petrochemical work.

Apprentice
$42,000 - $58,000 USD
Registered TSBPE/TDLR apprentice, 0-4 yrs, working under direct supervision
Journeyman
$58,000 - $80,000 USD
Licensed journeyman, 4-8 yrs, permitted residential and commercial work
Senior Journeyman / Foreman
$78,000 - $95,000 USD
8-15 yrs, leads crews, complex commercial or industrial projects
Master Plumber
$88,000 - $115,000 USD
Master license holder, 15+ yrs, can pull permits and run a contracting business

PLUMBER SALARY RANGES IN TEXAS - 2026

Apprentice
$42,000 - $58,000 USD
Journeyman
$58,000 - $80,000 USD
Senior / Foreman
$78,000 - $95,000 USD
Master Plumber
$88,000 - $115,000 USD
Source: Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, Indeed, Hardhat Careers (2025-2026). Base salary only; excludes overtime, union benefits, and bonuses.

What does a Plumber earn at each license level in Texas?

Your TDLR license tier is the single biggest pay lever in Texas plumbing -- it determines which jobs you can work and whether a contractor can legally put you on a permitted job.

Apprentice

$42,000 - $58,000 USD

Registered apprentices work under supervision on residential and light commercial sites, with pay climbing toward $58K as documented hours accumulate toward the journeyman exam.

Move up

  • Log and document every apprenticeship hour through your TDLR-approved program.
  • Target commercial sites over residential -- exposure to mechanical rooms builds exam-ready knowledge.
  • Sit for the journeyman exam as soon as you hit the minimum hour threshold.
Rewrite your resume around production impact →

Journeyman

$58,000 - $80,000 USD

Licensed journeymen can work independently on permitted jobs, making this the first real market-rate tier -- industrial and union roles at the top of this band pay $38-$44/hr.

Move up

  • Add ASME Section IX or backflow certification to qualify for industrial and municipal bids.
  • Pursue union membership in Houston or DFW locals to access the $5-$12/hr premium.
  • Build a track record on commercial ground-up projects to justify foreman pay.
Rewrite your resume around production impact →

Senior Journeyman / Foreman

$78,000 - $95,000 USD

Crew-lead roles on commercial or industrial projects where you own scheduling, inspections, and junior plumber oversight -- petrochemical shutdown specialists in this tier consistently clear $90K+.

Move up

  • Accumulate the 4 years of journeyman experience required before sitting for the Texas master exam.
  • Specialize in a premium sector -- semiconductor fab, healthcare, or refinery turnaround -- before the master exam.
  • Document all project types on your resume: regulated, permitted, and inspection-passed work.
Rewrite your resume around production impact →

Master Plumber

$88,000 - $115,000 USD

Master license holders can pull permits, supervise unlimited journeymen, and legally operate their own contracting business in Texas -- the top 10% exceed $115K through business ownership or industrial contracts.

Move up

  • Obtain a plumbing contractor license to bid directly on municipal and commercial contracts.
  • Target water infrastructure CIP programs in Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston for long-term public-sector revenue.
  • Build relationships with regional homebuilders in DFW, Austin, and San Antonio for recurring new-construction volume.
Rewrite your resume around production impact →

Stuck below journeyman pay despite years of field experience?

Most Texas plumbers plateau because their resume lists job duties rather than licensed scope, project types, and inspection outcomes -- contractors and municipalities pay for documented regulated work, not years on the tools. Changing how your experience reads on paper often moves the offer before you change anything else.

  • Rewrite your resume to list TDLR license numbers, license class, and continuing education hours front and center.
  • Specify project types: new construction, tenant improvement, ground-up commercial, industrial process piping -- vague descriptions get screened out.
  • Quantify regulated work: number of permitted pulls, inspection pass rates, project values you supported.
  • Get your resume scored against ATS filters before your next application -- many TX contractors use applicant tracking systems.
  • If you have out-of-state experience, explicitly map it to Texas licensing equivalents so reviewers do not discount it.
  • Document any specialty certifications: backflow tester, gas tech, medical gas, ASME -- these shift which tier employers slot you into.

Turn your field experience into top-of-band resume language

Texas contractors and municipalities read dozens of plumber resumes per week -- the ones that win top offers name licensed scope, project types, and documented inspection outcomes, not just job duties. Yotru's resume tools help you reframe your experience in the language that moves offers from mid-band to the top of the range shown on this page.

What drives Plumber salaries higher in Texas

Higher-paying candidates typically show:

  • License tier: The jump from apprentice to journeyman adds $15,000-$20,000 annually; the jump to master adds another $20,000-$35,000 and unlocks business ownership.
  • Sector specialization: Industrial pipefitters working petrochemical shutdowns near Houston's Ship Channel regularly earn $90,000-$110,000+ per year versus $65,000-$75,000 for residential service work.
  • Union membership: UA locals in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio pay $5-$12/hr above non-union scale with defined benefit packages that add further total compensation value.
  • Project type: Semiconductor fab, healthcare, and data center plumbing pays a meaningful premium over standard residential new construction because of code complexity and inspection requirements.
  • Metro location: Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth offer the deepest job markets and highest median pay; Austin commands a tech-construction premium on industrial and commercial bids.
  • Out-of-state experience: Plumbers relocating from other states must re-license under TDLR -- documenting equivalent hours proactively prevents employers from undervaluing prior experience during offer negotiations.

Plumber salaries by Texas city

Houston

$62,000 - $110,000 USD

Houston pays the highest median plumber salaries in Texas -- around $66,000 for journeymen -- driven by the petrochemical and port industrial complex along the Ship Channel, where industrial pipefitters clear $32-$50/hr.

Dallas - Fort Worth

$60,000 - $100,000 USD

DFW is the most active commercial construction market in Texas with sustained demand from corporate relocations, data centers, hospital expansions, and residential growth in Frisco, McKinney, and Prosper pushing journeyman rates to $26-$42/hr.

Austin

$58,000 - $95,000 USD

Austin's tech sector construction boom -- Samsung's fab in Taylor, Tesla Gigafactory, Apple's campus -- drives high-value commercial and industrial plumbing work paying $26-$40/hr for journeymen, with industrial fab work up to $52/hr.

San Antonio

$56,000 - $85,000 USD

San Antonio's market combines residential growth, public water infrastructure programs tied to the Edwards Aquifer Authority, and military base facility work -- a solid mid-market with lower cost of living than DFW or Austin.

Fort Worth

$58,000 - $92,000 USD

Fort Worth benefits from DFW metro spillover demand, industrial park growth, and logistics center construction -- journeyman rates align closely with Dallas and are supported by several active UA locals.

El Paso

$46,000 - $72,000 USD

El Paso is the lowest-paying major Texas market for plumbers, reflecting lower cost of living and a residential-heavy project mix, but cross-border industrial projects and border infrastructure work can push experienced journeymen above the median.

Plumbers in Austin and Houston with journeyman or master licenses should prioritize industrial, semiconductor, or petrochemical project bids over residential service -- the hourly premium is $8-$20/hr. Those in DFW should target commercial new construction and public-sector municipal contracts, where licensed scope documentation on a resume opens the highest-paying tiers. San Antonio and Fort Worth offer lower competition for master-licensed candidates and a viable path to building an independent contracting business. El Paso-based plumbers willing to drive to larger metros or pursue border infrastructure projects can meaningfully close the gap with statewide averages.

Overtime and field bonuses

Texas plumbing is overtime-heavy -- Indeed reports average overtime of $6,750 per year on top of base for Houston and Dallas plumbers. Industrial shutdown and turnaround work (refineries, chip fabs) pays premium daily rates during scheduled maintenance periods, which can add $10,000-$20,000 to annual cash earnings for journeymen who pursue them.

Union vs. non-union pay

Texas is a right-to-work state, but UA trade union locals operate actively in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Union wages run $5-$12/hr higher than non-union scale and include defined benefit pension plans and healthcare, adding meaningful total compensation that base salary alone does not reflect. Non-union contractors often counter with overtime flexibility and faster advancement to foreman roles.

TDLR licensing and out-of-state applicants

Texas requires TDLR licensure for all working plumbers -- out-of-state licenses are not automatically reciprocated. Out-of-state applicants must document equivalent apprenticeship hours and pass Texas exams, which can delay hiring timelines by weeks to months. Candidates who proactively present their out-of-state credentials in mapped, TDLR-equivalent language on their resume move through contractor screening faster.

Plumber salary negotiation checklist for Texas

Run through these steps before you submit your next application or walk into a rate conversation.

  • Confirm your TDLR license class is current, continuing education hours are logged, and your license number is on your resume header.
  • List every project type by name: residential new construction, commercial ground-up, tenant improvement, industrial process piping, municipal water/wastewater -- do not leave reviewers to guess.
  • Document regulated work explicitly: permits pulled, inspections passed, code sections worked under -- these signal independent licensed scope to contractors.
  • Research the prevailing union scale for your city before negotiating; use it as a market floor even if you are applying to a non-union shop.
  • Identify whether the employer bids public sector or industrial work -- if yes, ask about shutdown and turnaround opportunities which are paid at premium daily rates.
  • If relocating from out of state, attach a one-page license equivalency summary mapping your prior state hours to TDLR requirements.
  • Get a written offer before discussing start date -- verbal commitments in Texas's contractor market shift frequently based on project load.
  • Ask specifically about overtime structure, tool allowance, and per diem on out-of-town jobs -- these can add $5,000-$15,000 to effective annual compensation.

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Common Questions

Answers to the most common questions about Plumber compensation in Texas.

How much does a plumber make in Texas in 2026?

Plumber salaries in Texas range from approximately $42,000 for registered apprentices to $115,000+ for master-licensed plumbers working industrial or commercial contracts. The statewide average across all license tiers sits around $58,000-$72,000 per year depending on the source and role definition. Pay varies significantly by city, license tier, project type, and union status.

What is the highest-paying city for plumbers in Texas?

Houston consistently pays the highest median plumber salaries in Texas, driven by petrochemical and port industrial demand along the Ship Channel. Industrial pipefitters in the Houston corridor earn $32-$50/hr, with annual earnings regularly exceeding $90,000-$110,000 for experienced workers on shutdown contracts. Dallas-Fort Worth ranks second due to high commercial construction volume.

How much does a journeyman plumber make in Texas?

A journeyman plumber in Texas earns between $58,000 and $80,000 per year in base salary, with Glassdoor reporting a 25th-to-75th percentile range of $73,000-$124,000 including total compensation. Union journeymen in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio earn toward the top of that range due to the $5-$12/hr union premium. Industrial journeymen on petrochemical sites can exceed $90,000.

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires licensure through the TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) for all working plumbers. License tiers include apprentice, journeyman, and master, each requiring documented experience hours, passing a written exam, and ongoing continuing education. Out-of-state licenses are not automatically recognized and must be converted through TDLR equivalency review.

How much more do union plumbers make in Texas?

Union plumbers in Texas typically earn $5-$12 per hour more than non-union peers on base wages, plus defined benefit pension contributions and employer-paid healthcare. In DFW and Houston, that premium translates to $10,000-$25,000 more in total annual compensation depending on hours worked. UA trade union locals operate in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.

What is the difference between a journeyman and master plumber salary in Texas?

Journeyman plumbers in Texas typically earn $58,000-$80,000 per year while master plumbers earn $88,000-$115,000 or more. The master license also allows the holder to pull permits independently, supervise unlimited journeymen, and legally operate a plumbing contracting business, which is why business-owning master plumbers can earn well above the reported salary range. Salary.com projects the journeyman-to-master step adds roughly 12% in base pay alone.

Is Texas a good state for plumbers looking to relocate?

Yes -- Texas adds more residents annually than any other state, creating durable demand for licensed plumbers across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The state has no income tax and a business-friendly environment favorable to independent contractors and small plumbing businesses. However, out-of-state plumbers must re-license through TDLR, and documenting equivalent experience proactively is essential to avoid delays in being hired at the appropriate tier.

How long does it take to become a licensed plumber in Texas?

It typically takes 4-5 years to become a licensed journeyman plumber in Texas, combining trade school with the apprenticeship hours required to sit for the TDLR journeyman exam. Advancing to master plumber requires an additional 4 years of journeyman-level experience before you can sit for the master exam. Total time from start to master license is typically 8-10 years.

Explore how plumber compensation compares to other skilled trades and construction roles in Texas and beyond.

Job titleApprentice (1st-2nd year)Apprentice (3rd-5th year) / Pre-JourneymanJourneyman ElectricianMaster / Industrial Specialist
Electrician$38K - $50K USD$50K - $65K USD$65K - $90K USD$83K - $105K+ USD
HVAC Technician$45,000 - $58,000 CAD$58,000 - $78,000 CAD$78,000 - $95,000 CAD$95,000 - $107,000 CAD
Construction Labourer$29,000 - $36,000 USD$36,000 - $44,000 USD$44,000 - $51,000 USD$51,000 - $57,000 USD
Plumber$36K - $52K CAD$60K - $80K CAD$78K - $95K CAD$88K - $105K CAD
Truck Driver$42,000 - $58,000 USD$58,000 - $80,000 USD$80,000 - $100,000 USD$100,000 - $120,000 USD
Maintenance Technician$44K - $57K CAD$57K - $72K CAD$72K - $88K CAD$88K - $95K+ CAD
Welder$42K - $55K CAD$55K - $72K CAD$72K - $83K CAD$83K - $90K+ CAD

Sources and methodology

Salary data was gathered from multiple public compensation platforms and trade-focused career resources publishing 2025-2026 Texas plumber salary data, cross-referenced against BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and city-level aggregates to produce the ranges shown on this page.

What plumbers in Texas are actually saying

Quotes reflect community discussion on compensation, licensing, and market conditions gathered from public forums and review platforms through early 2026.

Reddit · r/Plumbing
Got my journeyman ticket last year and jumped $10/hr overnight -- Texas licensing is real money

Confirms the licensed-vs-unlicensed pay gap is steep in Texas; the journeyman exam is a direct wage lever, not just a credential.

Reddit · r/Plumbing
Houston shutdown work pays crazy -- did a 6-week turnaround last spring and cleared more than some guys make all year

Validates that industrial shutdown and turnaround contracts in the Houston petrochemical corridor represent a significant earnings spike for experienced journeymen.

Glassdoor · Texas Plumber reviews
Non-union here but the union guys at the same site are making $12/hr more with full benefits -- hard to ignore

Illustrates the real-world union premium in Texas and the total compensation gap that base salary comparisons alone do not capture.

Indeed · Dallas-Fort Worth plumber reviews
DFW market is still hot -- I got three offers in a week after my master license came through

Reflects strong demand for master-licensed plumbers in the DFW commercial construction market and the speed at which licensed candidates receive offers.

Reddit · r/DFW
Moving here from Ohio -- TDLR reciprocity is basically nonexistent, budget time to re-test

A practical warning for out-of-state plumbers: Texas does not offer automatic license reciprocity, and candidates must plan for TDLR re-examination before they can work legally.

Glassdoor · Austin plumber reviews
The semiconductor fab work near Taylor is the best-paying construction gig I have ever been on

Corroborates data showing that specialized fab and industrial work near Austin pays top-of-market rates, well above standard residential or commercial plumbing.

Companies actively hiring plumbers in Texas right now

TDIndustries · Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Water Cleanup · Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning · ARS/Rescue Rooter · Southland Industries · TW Mechanical · Victoria Air Conditioning · NPL Construction · Baker Mechanical · Comfort Systems USA · Encompass Services · Texas Mechanical

Glassdoor - Plumber and Journeyman Plumber salary submissions in Texas, February-March 2026 Glassdoor Texas Plumber

Data note: Salary figures on this page are approximate estimates compiled from public aggregate sources including Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, Indeed, Hardhat Careers, and Education Directory as of 2025-2026. All figures reflect base salary only and exclude overtime pay, union benefit packages, per diem, tool allowances, profit sharing, and equity. Individual results will vary based on TDLR license tier, years of experience, project type, employer size, union status, and city. Data reflects a specific collection period and may not reflect current market conditions. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional compensation advice.