Plumber Salary - Mountain West
Smaller markets with growing residential and commercial demand
Wage figures on this page reflect all plumbers counted by the BLS, across union and non-union work, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. The BLS does not publish a separate journey-level tier. State figures are medians: half of workers earn more, half earn less.
The Mountain West is a region of contrasts for plumbers and pipefitters. Montana carries a median of $79,960, well above the national median of $63,800, driven by energy sector pipefitting work. Colorado at $63,240 and Nevada at $61,610 sit near the national median. Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming trail the region. Rapid population growth across Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada is driving construction demand that hasn't fully translated to wage growth yet outside major metros.
UA union density in the Mountain West is moderate and concentrated in specific markets. Denver's UA locals cover a commercial market. Las Vegas has union presence driven by casino and resort construction. Salt Lake City has a growing UA presence. Idaho and Montana are primarily non-union markets. The energy sector across Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana employs significant numbers of industrial pipefitters.
Cost of living across the Mountain West has risen significantly driven by population growth. Colorado at 101.8 and Nevada at 100.7 are near the national average but trending upward. Idaho at 101.7 has seen significant appreciation from its historically low base. Montana at 105.9 reflects Bozeman and Missoula market appreciation. Utah at 100.6 is near average but Salt Lake City housing has risen sharply. Wyoming at 93.7 remains below average.
- →Rapid residential and commercial construction across Denver, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Las Vegas metros
- →Casino, resort, and hospitality construction in Las Vegas requiring complex mechanical systems
- →Oil, gas, and renewable energy infrastructure across Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana
- →Semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facility construction in Idaho and Colorado requiring process piping
- →Data center construction expanding into Nevada and Colorado
The Mountain West offers opportunities for travelers in the right markets. Las Vegas is a destination. Casino and resort construction runs year-round and UA locals regularly recruit travelers for major projects. Denver is active on commercial construction. Wyoming has energy work for travelers willing to work remote locations. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Las Vegas and Denver openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living: what a paycheck buys relative to the national median.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $79,960 +$16,160 vs. national | 105.9 | $75,505 +$11,705 vs. national |
| Colorado | $63,240 -$560 vs. national | 101.8 | $62,122 -$1,678 vs. national |
| Wyoming | $62,410 -$1,390 vs. national | 93.7 | $66,606 +$2,806 vs. national |
| Utah | $61,900 -$1,900 vs. national | 100.6 | $61,531 -$2,269 vs. national |
| Nevada | $61,610 -$2,190 vs. national | 100.7 | $61,182 -$2,618 vs. national |
| Idaho | $52,380 -$11,420 vs. national | 101.7 | $51,504 -$12,296 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Plumbers - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.