Plumber Salary - Southwest
Massive construction growth driving demand, wages below national median
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 Southwest is a volume market for plumbers with wages below the national median. Texas alone employs over 44,000 plumbers -- the largest state workforce in the country -- but the state median of $59,840 sits below the national average. Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma follow similar patterns. The region is growing faster than almost anywhere else in the country driven by population growth and energy sector activity, but wages haven't kept pace with demand.
The Southwest is predominantly non-union territory for plumbing and mechanical work. Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico are all right-to-work states with limited UA market share outside major metros. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Phoenix all have UA locals but non-union mechanical contractors dominate residential and light commercial work. Industrial work along the Texas Gulf Coast -- refineries, petrochemical plants, LNG facilities -- is more heavily unionized and pays significantly above the state median.
The Southwest offers below-average cost of living across most of the region. Oklahoma at 83.5 is the most affordable state in the country. Texas at 90.7 and New Mexico at 89.9 are well below the national average. Arizona at 107.6 is the outlier -- driven by rapid housing appreciation in the Phoenix metro. The combination of high work volume and affordable living in Texas and Oklahoma partially offsets the below-median wages.
- →Massive residential and commercial construction across Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth metros
- →Petrochemical, refinery, and LNG facility construction along the Texas Gulf Coast requiring industrial pipefitting
- →Semiconductor fabrication plant construction in Arizona requiring ultra-pure water and process piping systems
- →Data center expansion across Dallas and Phoenix requiring mechanical infrastructure
- →Population growth driving consistent residential plumbing demand across all four states
The Southwest offers high work volume but wages below what travelers can earn in union markets. Texas Gulf Coast industrial work is the standout exception -- petrochemical and refinery projects pay well above the state median with significant per diem available. Phoenix is active on commercial construction but scale rates are lower than comparable coastal markets. For travelers prioritizing steady work the Southwest has consistent demand. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Gulf Coast industrial opportunities in Texas.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $62,070 $-1,730 vs. national | 107.6 | $57,686 $-6,114 vs. national |
| New Mexico | $61,440 $-2,360 vs. national | 89.9 | $68,343 +$4,543 vs. national |
| Texas | $59,840 $-3,960 vs. national | 90.7 | $65,976 +$2,176 vs. national |
| Oklahoma | $57,970 $-5,830 vs. national | 83.5 | $69,425 +$5,625 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.