Plumber Salary - Mountain West
Smaller markets with growing demand, Colorado and Nevada leading wages
Wage figures reflect all plumbers across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Mountain West is a region of contrasts for plumbers and pipefitters. Oregon leads the country with a median of $97,050 -- though Oregon is sometimes grouped with the Pacific Coast -- while Colorado at $63,240 and Nevada at $61,610 sit near the national median. Idaho, Utah, Montana, 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 solid commercial market. Las Vegas has strong union presence driven by casino and resort construction -- one of the most active commercial construction markets in the country on a per-capita basis. 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 at rates well above residential scale.
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 the most affordable market in the region.
- →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 solid opportunities for travelers in the right markets. Las Vegas is a perennial destination -- casino and resort construction runs year-round and UA locals regularly recruit travelers for major projects. Denver is active on commercial construction. Wyoming energy work offers strong per diem and rates 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 your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| 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.