Plumber salary in Detroit, MI
Median pay, Detroit metro
$86,370/year
about $41.52 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $61,190 – $99,650
Half of plumbers in the Detroit metro area earn more than $86,370 a year and half earn less. That's 35% higher than the national median of $63,800, and ranks #7 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| 25th | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Median (50th) | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| 75th | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| 90th (top earners) | $107,780 | $51.82 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a plumber job in the Detroit metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $61,190 ($29.42/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $61,190 to $99,650 ($29.42 to $47.91/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $99,650 ($47.91/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Pay usually rises with license level (apprentice, journeyman, master). Make sure the offer matches yours.
- Ask whether service calls pay commission or bonuses on top of the hourly rate.
- Check whether a company vehicle, tools and on-call pay are included.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Detroit metro. Occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.