What Plumbers Earn in Texas
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Texas Median
$58,560
per year
National Median
$61,550
per year
Entry Level (25th)
$44,380
Median
$61,550
Experienced (75th)
$82,720
Top Earners (90th)
$100,180
National percentiles shown. Texas-specific percentile data varies.
Plumber Programs in Texas
Apprenticeships, trade schools, and pre-apprenticeship programs
Texas State Technical College — Construction Pre-Apprenticeship
Waco, TX
Career Path
From apprentice to running your own operation in Texas
Apprentice Plumber
$32,000–$50,000Years 0–5
Complete a 4–5 year apprenticeship through UA (United Association) or a trade school pathway. Learn pipe fitting, blueprint reading, and plumbing codes while working on real job sites.
Journeyperson Plumber
$55,000–$80,000Years 5–10
Pass your journeyperson exam and work independently on residential and commercial projects. Service plumbing (repairs and maintenance) pays well and can lead quickly to running your own calls.
Master Plumber
$70,000–$95,000Years 8–12
After logging required journeyperson hours, pass the master exam. Required to pull permits and legally operate a plumbing business in most states.
Plumbing Contractor
$90,000–$200,000+Years 10+
Start your own plumbing business. Plumbing contractors with a master license and a small crew regularly earn $120,000–$200,000+.
How to Get Started in Texas
Step-by-step path into the plumber trade
- 1
Join a UA (United Association) union apprenticeship (ua.org) or work for a licensed plumbing contractor who will sponsor your training — both are solid paths.
Browse apprenticeship programs → - 2
Many community colleges offer plumbing technology programs — a good foundation if union spots are full in your area.
Find plumbing programs → - 3
Log your journeyperson hours (typically 8,000–10,000 hours depending on state) through your apprenticeship or employer.
- 4
Pass your journeyperson exam, then your master plumber exam to pull permits and run your own operation.
Start exam prep →