Plumber salary in Washington, DC
Median pay, Washington DC metro
$71,860/year
about $34.55 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $55,780 – $94,050
Half of plumbers in the Washington DC metro area earn more than $71,860 a year and half earn less. That's 13% higher than the national median of $63,800, and ranks #13 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 25th | $55,780 | $26.82 |
| Median (50th) | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| 75th | $94,050 | $45.22 |
| 90th (top earners) | $114,400 | $55.00 |
*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 Washington DC metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $55,780 ($26.82/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $55,780 to $94,050 ($26.82 to $45.22/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $94,050 ($45.22/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, Washington DC metro. Occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.