Average Plumber Salary in Texas
Salary.com places the average annual pay for a plumber in Texas at $63,216 as of January 2026, with the range from $46,935 to $79,618. Licensed plumbers average higher — ZipRecruiter data from December 2025 shows licensed plumber salaries in Texas averaging $69,178 per year ($33.26/hr), with top earners reaching $93,165 at the 90th percentile.
Hardhat Careers' February 2026 Texas plumber salary guide places the median at $63,720 — 8% above the national median of $59,000 — attributing the premium to Texas's population boom, petrochemical sector, and data centre construction. The BLS median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationally is $62,970 (May 2024 data).
Houston consistently tops Texas cities for plumber pay, with Salary.com showing averages of $65,265 for the metro area. Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio also run above the statewide figure.
Salary by Experience Level
Apprentice Plumbers
Texas requires a 4-year apprenticeship and exam through the TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) before a journeyman licence is granted. Apprentice wages typically start at $18 to $25 per hour, scaling with each year of documented experience. Payscale projects the national entry-level plumber median at $53,900 for 2025, and Texas entry-level wages track near this figure.
Journeyman Plumbers
Licensed journeyman plumbers in Texas earn $25 to $40 per hour in most commercial settings. Union plumbers through UA locals in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio command $35 to $50 per hour with benefits. The BLS national median of $62,970 applies to journeyman-level work, and Texas sits modestly above that.
Master Plumbers
Texas master plumbers running their own businesses or managing large commercial projects earn $75,000 to $100,000 or more. Salary.com shows the top of the plumber salary range in Texas at $79,618 for employment-based roles, with business owners earning well beyond that.
What Drives Plumber Pay in Texas
Petrochemical and Industrial Work
Pipefitters working in Texas's Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor earn the highest wages in the state. Plumber salary Texas carries a CPC of $9.12, confirming that staffing agencies and trade schools are actively spending to reach this audience. Industrial pipefitting work at refineries and chemical plants pays $35 to $55 per hour.
Population Growth Markets
Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston are among the fastest-growing metros in the US. New residential and commercial construction volumes sustain consistent plumber employment across all these markets.
No State Income Tax
Texas has no state income tax, which means a $65,000 plumber salary in Texas has a higher take-home value than the same nominal salary in states like California or New York. Hardhat Careers notes that after accounting for state taxes, Texas wages are equivalent to about 15% more than the same figure in California.
Texas Plumber Job Market Outlook
BLS projects 4% growth nationally for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters through 2034, with about 44,000 annual job openings. Texas tracks above the national growth rate given its market dynamics. ERCOT grid modernization, semiconductor facility construction, and consistent residential development maintain demand across the state.
How to Increase Your Plumber Salary in Texas
Obtain your Texas Master Plumber licence — it enables you to pull permits, supervise, and operate your own business, which is where the highest income is available.
Pursue pipefitter work in the Houston and Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor — industrial pipefitting pays substantially more than residential plumbing.
Consider pursuing backflow prevention, medical gas, or plumbing inspector credentials — specializations that add directly to earning potential.