As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plumber, Journeyman in the United States is $65,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Plumber, Journeyman's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Smart Recruiting
A Plumber, Journeyman's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Plumber, Journeyman's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber, Apprentice | 0-1 years | $45,974 |
| Plumber, Journeyman | 1-3 years | $64,993 |
| Plumber, Master | 3-5 years | $72,463 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Plumber, Journeymans. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 6.34% |
| Repairing | 1.51% |
| Water Treatment | 0.68% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
AutoCAD
|
$77,350 |
19%
|
|
Consulting
|
$73,450 |
13%
|
|
Coordination
|
$70,200 |
8%
|
|
Written Communication
|
$68,250 |
5%
|
|
Effective Communication
|
$67,600 |
4%
|
|
Leadership
|
$67,600 |
4%
|
Plumber, Journeyman salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $72,702. While startup companies pay approximate $61,484.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $61,484 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $65,029 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $70,208 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $72,702 |
For Plumber, Journeyman roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Plumber, Journeyman positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Plumber, Journeyman as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $78,000 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $78,000 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $78,000 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $71,500 | $34.0 | 10% |
| Internet | $71,500 | $34.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Plumber, Journeymans enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Plumber, Journeyman with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $60,956 and $65,952).
Plumber, Journeyman Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.9% |
| High School | 84.9% |
| Associates | 5.7% |
| Bachelors | 7.5% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Plumber, Journeyman's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026For a Plumber, Journeyman, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Plumber, Master role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $72,500 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.
Salaries for a Plumber, Journeyman can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,687 in 2023 to around $50,588 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Plumber, Journeyman salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $50,687 |
| 2024 | $50,804 |
| 2025 | $50,588 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Plumber, Journeyman and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Plumber, Journeyman job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Plumber, Journeyman roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
After five years as a journeyman plumber, you can advance to a master plumber. This role typically offers higher earnings, with journeyman salaries ranging from $57,090 to $74,410, depending on experience and location. Additional training and an exam are required to obtain this licensure, leading to greater responsibilities and potential income.
Yes, a plumber can become a millionaire. With an average salary ranging from $57,090 to $74,410, and with smart business practices and financial planning, they can significantly increase their earnings. By investing wisely and building a successful plumbing business, many have the potential to achieve millionaire status over time.
Yes, journeymen earn significantly more than apprentices. Based on salary data, the minimum salary for a journeyman plumber is $57,090, with a mid-range salary of $65,640 and a maximum of $74,410. This reflects the increased skills and experience that journeymen possess compared to apprentices.
While experienced plumbers can earn high salaries, the typical salary range for plumbers is between $57,090 and $74,410 annually. Achieving $200,000 a year usually requires extensive experience, long hours, and possibly additional skills or specializations.
Among the highest paying trades, plumbers, particularly journeymen, earn a median salary of $65,640, with a minimum of $57,090 and a maximum of $74,410. This positions plumbing as a lucrative option within the skilled trades, alongside other high-paying professions like construction managers and aircraft technicians.
As of January 18, 2025, Journeyman Plumbers in the United States earn between $57,090 and $74,410 annually, with a median salary of $65,640. This translates to an average hourly wage of approximately $33.52.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
