Plumber / Pipefitter Salary in Texas
Statewide median pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what it costs to get into the trade here.
Median annual
$56,890
statewide
Median hourly
$27.35
per hour
Jobs in state
41,890
people employed
Cost to enter
$120
licence + training
What the licence costs against the pay
At the state median, the licence and training pay for themselves in roughly 0.0 months of work. That is the number to compare when you are choosing between states — a cheaper licence in a lower-paying state can still be the slower route to break even.
Pay in other states
| State | Median annual | Licence cost | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $75,300 | $650 | 0 mo |
| Florida | $51,830 | $535 | 0 mo |
| Texas | $56,890 | $120 | 0 mo |
How to read these numbers
- Median, not average. A handful of very high earners drag the average up; the median is the middle person.
- Statewide. Metro pay in this trade often runs 10–25% above the state figure, and rural areas below it.
- Before overtime. BLS base pay excludes overtime and shift differentials, which matter a lot in this trade.
Sources
- BLS OEWS state table (archive snapshot)Median annual wage for Plumber / Pipefitter in Texas, May 2024
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“you have at least 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade; and”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“you have completed a 48-hour training course* approved by the TSBPE”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“you must submit a completed application with all supporting documentation, your Employer Certification Form(s), and a $40 fee to the TSBPE”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“Once you have successfully passed the exam, you must submit a $40 fee to obtain your certificate of licensure and pocket card.”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“Fees Exam Fee: $40”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“Renewal Fee: $40*”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/journeyman/“If you hold a Journeyman or Master Plumber License issued to you by another state, you do not have to complete the 48-hour training program.”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/“To obtain a license, you must meet all eligibility requirements, take and pass an examination, and pay a fee. Licenses renew annually.”
- https://tsbpe.texas.gov/license-types/apprentice/“You MUST register as a Plumber’s Apprentice before you can start counting the hours of experience you have working in the plumbing trade.”