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Plumbers and pipefitters in New York: what they earn
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in New York earned a median $77,490 a year in May 2025, $37.26 an hour. 23,210 people held the job, 2.4 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 21% above the national figure of $63,800, and New York ranks 13 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a plumber in New York — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) — representative local authority; New York has no statewide plumber license. ↓
The full wage spread in New York
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.18 | $46,130 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $28.83 | $59,960 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $37.26 | $77,490 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $48.67 | $101,230 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $62.70 | $130,420 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $40.29 | $83,790 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
New York against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Montana | $79,960 | 1,860 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $78,240 | 8,750 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $78,060 | 2,500 |
| 13 | New York | $77,490 | 23,210 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $77,280 | 5,410 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $76,470 | 1,820 |
| 16 | Indiana | $76,320 | 11,280 |
The complete ranking is on the Plumbers and pipefitters page.
Against the national figure
| New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $77,490 | $63,800 |
| Median hourly | $37.26 | $30.67 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $46,130 | $44,150 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $130,420 | $108,420 |
| Employed | 23,210 | 465,840 |
Other trades in New York
Electricians ($78,750) · HVAC technicians ($74,430) · Welders ($59,140) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($62,050)
See all five ranked by pay in New York.
How to become a plumber in New York
New York has no statewide plumber license — plumbing is licensed locally under state General City Law. New York City's Department of Buildings licenses Master Plumbers; other localities set their own rules.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Master Plumber (NYC DOB) | Seven years of plumbing experience within the last ten under a licensed master plumber, at least two of them as a DOB-registered journeyman, then a written exam (70% to pass) and a separate practical exam. | — | Written NYC code exam (70% to pass) plus a practical exam | $585 |
Reciprocity. No statewide license means no state-level reciprocity; each locality runs its own licensing process.
Renewal. Every 3 years, with 7 hours of continuing education.
Licensing sources: NYC DOB Master Plumber license (retrieved 2026-09-16) · NY Business Express — plumbing regulated by local government (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) — representative local authority; New York has no statewide plumber license before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as a plumber in New York?
New York has no statewide plumber license — plumbing is licensed locally under state General City Law. New York City's Department of Buildings licenses Master Plumbers; other localities set their own rules.
What does it cost to get licensed as a plumber in New York?
The main application or license fee is $585; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become a plumber in New York?
It depends on which credential you need and the training and testing each step takes — the full path is in the table above.
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.