Plumber in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Texas employs 44,090 plumbers, with a statewide median of $59,840 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $59,840 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,270
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,100
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,890
Employed in Texas: 44,090
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Texas markets:

Austin: $62,810 (5,260 employed)
Houston: $61,300 (10,980 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $61,250 (11,980 employed)
San Antonio: $58,180 (3,190 employed)
El Paso: $53,560 (640 employed)
McAllen: $46,110 (360 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $59,840 median stretches to roughly $61,627 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow plumbers employment +8.9%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 4,220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

Plumber's Apprentice → Tradesman Plumber-Limited → Journeyman Plumber — regulated by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE).

Register as a Plumber's Apprentice with TSBPE and start earning under a licensed plumber.
Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours (about 2 years) under a Journeyman or Master, plus a TSBPE-approved 24-hour training course. Lets you work on one- and two-family homes.
Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours total plus 48 hours of classroom training (including OSHA 10, residential and commercial code training), then the Journeyman exam.

Official requirements: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) →

Training in Texas

Texas plumbing demand is strong and the licensing ladder is well defined. Find apprenticeships through PHCC Texas, local unions (UA locals in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio), or directly with plumbing companies that sponsor apprentices.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Brazosport College — Certificate
Collin County Community College District — Certificate / Associate
Lamar Institute of Technology — Certificate
Lee College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Texas?

The median wage for plumbers in Texas is $59,840 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,270, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Texas?

Plumber's Apprentice → Tradesman Plumber-Limited → Journeyman Plumber, overseen by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Register as a Plumber's Apprentice with TSBPE and start earning under a licensed plumber.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Texas?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Texas metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $62,810, followed by Houston ($61,300), Dallas–Fort Worth ($61,250). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Plumber in Texas?

Real Texas options include Brazosport College, Collin County Community College District, Lamar Institute of Technology. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Texas?

Texas projects plumbers employment to change +8.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,220 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Texas wages · Texas licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.