Industry benchmarks
Average Plumber Hourly Rate (2026): Rates by Region & Role
6 min read
The average plumber hourly rate in the US is $85–$150/hr in 2026. Journeymen bill $100–$135/hr, Apprentices 50–65% of that, and Masters 15–25% above Journeyman. Emergency work runs 1.5–2× standard.
Plumber Hourly Rates by Region (2026)
- High-cost metros (NYC, SF Bay Area, Boston, Seattle): $150–$225/hr
- Major metros (Dallas, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix): $100–$150/hr
- Mid-size cities & suburbs: $85–$120/hr
- Rural markets: $70–$100/hr
Rates by Role
- Apprentice: 50–65% of Journeyman rate
- Journeyman plumber: base billable rate
- Master plumber: 115–125% of Journeyman
- Emergency / after-hours: 150–200% of Journeyman
How to Set Your Own Plumbing Rate
Billable rate = (Take-home + Overhead + Profit) ÷ Realistic billable hours. A solo plumber targeting $95,000 take-home with $30,000 overhead and 15% profit over 1,300 billable hours needs about $111/hr minimum.
More on markup and margin in our job pricing guide, or try the free service price calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average hourly rate for a plumber in 2026?
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Licensed plumbers in the US typically bill $85–$150 per hour in 2026 for residential and light commercial work. High-cost metros often run $150–$225/hr, while rural markets sit closer to $70–$100/hr. These are customer-facing billable rates, not wages.
Why do plumbers charge a service call fee?
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A service call or trip fee ($75–$150 is common) covers drive time, fuel, and the first diagnostic window. Without it, short jobs lose money once travel and setup are counted.
How much more does an emergency plumber charge?
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After-hours, weekend, and emergency work usually bills at 1.5× to 2× the standard rate, so a $120/hr plumber commonly charges $180–$240/hr for a night call.
What's the difference between Journeyman and Apprentice plumber rates?
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Apprentice plumber rates usually run 50–65% of the Journeyman rate. Master plumbers bill 15–25% above Journeyman to reflect licensing, permits, and design responsibility.