Plumber Salary · Updated May 2026

Plumber salary in District of Columbia

The median plumber salary in District of Columbia is $101,020 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 58% above the national median of $63,800. Most plumbers in District of Columbia earn between $52,310 and $117,180, and the state ranks #1 of 51 for plumber pay.

Median

$101,020

Entry (10th)

$52,310

Top (90th)

$117,180

State rank

#1/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

District of Columbia vs. the national average

PercentileDistrict of ColumbiaNational
10th percentile (entry)$52,310$44,150
Median (50th)$101,020$63,800
90th percentile (top)$117,180$108,420

For context, the highest-paying state for plumbers is District of Columbia ($101,020 median) and the lowest is Arkansas ($48,660).

Licensing & taxes for plumbers

Most states license plumbers at journeyman and master levels through documented experience hours and an exam. Reciprocity is limited — fewer states recognize out-of-state plumbing licenses than electrical ones — and a few states license only at the local level.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the plumber salary & licensing guide.

Plumber pay in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much does a plumber make in District of Columbia?
The median plumber salary in District of Columbia is $101,020 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 58% above the national median of $63,800. Most plumbers in the state earn between $52,310 and $117,180.
What is the starting salary for plumbers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level plumbers in District of Columbia — the bottom 10% — earn around $52,310 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top plumbers earn in District of Columbia?
The highest-paid 10% of plumbers in District of Columbia make about $117,180 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does District of Columbia pay plumbers well?
District of Columbia ranks #1 of 51 states and D.C. for plumber pay, making it one of the higher-paying states for the trade. Its median of $101,020 is 58% above the U.S. median of $63,800.

Other trades in District of Columbia

Compare plumbers pay in every state

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2152). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all plumbers by state or trade salaries by state.