Skilled Wages

Plumber salary in Michigan

Median $38.56 an hour for 14,120 plumbers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$38.56/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$80,190/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$22.38 – $49.7310th to 90th percentilehourly range
14,120Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Plumber pay in Michigan: the full range

Wage percentiles, MichiganMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrMichigan: 10th $22.38 · 25th $27.93 · median $38.56 · 75th $45.86 · 90th $49.73Michigan$38.56$22.38$49.73United States: 10th $21.22 · 25th $24.13 · median $30.67 · 75th $40.92 · 90th $52.13United States$30.67
Hourly wage percentiles for plumbers: Michigan vs United States, May 2025.

Michigan ranks 9th of 51 states for median plumber pay, and 9th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $40.08). 14,120 plumbers work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.2× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$22.38 – $27.93$46,560 – $58,090roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$27.93 – $45.86$58,090 – $95,390the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$45.86 – $49.73$95,390 – $103,430the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Plumber pay by metro in Michigan

Ranked median wages$0$20$40$60/hrKalamazoo: $43.62Kalamazoo$43.62Detroit: $41.53Detroit$41.53Jackson: $39.39Jackson$39.39Monroe: $38.80Monroe$38.80Flint: $38.71Flint$38.71Grand Rapids: $38.67Grand Rapids$38.67Saginaw: $38.67Saginaw$38.67Ann Arbor: $37.60Ann Arbor$37.60Lansing: $37.59Lansing$37.59Muskegon: $36.68Muskegon$36.68Bay City: $35.81Bay City$35.81South Bend: $35.67South Bend$35.67
Median hourly wage for plumbers by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Kalamazoo$23.17$43.62$46.01$53.6987013% above
Detroit$23.20$41.53$41.41$51.825,5208% above
Jackson$21.31$39.39$42.91$52.512502% above
Monroe$21.93$38.80$41.50$49.122501% above
Flint$22.12$38.71$41.62$50.89790about the same as
Grand Rapids$22.42$38.67$40.49$47.222,270about the same as
Saginaw$21.89$38.67$42.54$48.77260about the same as
Ann Arbor$22.89$37.60$37.26$49.324202% below
Lansing$21.25$37.59$39.57$46.996503% below
Muskegon$21.12$36.68$39.65$44.102005% below
Bay City$18.77$35.81$38.97$51.381107% below
South Bend$22.32$35.67$38.40$47.624907% below
Battle Creek$21.87$35.53$39.26$49.701408% below
Midland$20.01$30.73$33.44$45.4613020% below
Traverse City$20.16$30.34$32.48$45.8619021% below
Niles$19.04$28.76$31.13$44.659025% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Plumber wages in Michigan over time

Michigan, 1999-2025MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$20$30$40$50200020052010201520202025$38.56Michigan$30.67United States
Median hourly wage for plumbers, Michigan vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMichigan $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$22.32$43.13$17.4118,110
2000$24.48$45.77$18.1919,630
2001$24.96$45.37$18.6118,510
2002$23.22$41.55$19.3117,570
2003$23.73$41.52$19.6918,360
2004$23.49$40.03$19.8515,000
2005$24.53$40.44$20.2714,340
2006$26.07$41.63$20.5614,150
2007$26.78$41.58$21.2013,140
2008$27.90$41.72$21.9412,210
2009$27.77$41.67$22.2710,440
2010$28.15$41.56$22.4310,000
2011$27.31$39.09$22.9610,300
2012$26.54$37.22$23.6210,610
2013$26.71$36.91$24.1310,560
2014$28.21$38.36$24.3610,300
2015$27.02$36.70$24.3410,670
2016$30.58$41.02$24.7411,870
2017$31.29$41.10$25.2812,250
2018$32.24$41.33$25.9211,950
2019$31.61$39.81$26.5212,180
2020$32.62$40.58$27.0811,410
2021$30.66$36.43$28.7912,650
2022$30.66$33.73$28.8913,710
2023$34.95$36.93$29.5912,860
2024$37.03$38.00$30.2712,830
2025$38.56$38.56$30.6714,120

In today's dollars, the median plumber wage in Michigan changed by +5.1% over the last ten years of data and by -3.1% since 2019.

Are there more plumber jobs in Michigan?

+15.9%Jobs since 201912,180 then, 14,120 in 2025
+32.3%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
3.2Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.1× the US share, 30th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of plumbers counted in Michigan has changed by -22.0%, against +12.7% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +15.9%.

Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in Michigan vs United States, 1999 = 100MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages406080100120200020052010201520202025113United States78Michigan
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Michigan vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearMichigan jobsMichigan indexUS index
199918,110100100
200019,630108106
200118,510102106
200217,57097106
200318,360101105
200415,00083103
200514,34079102
200614,15078106
200713,14073105
200812,21067106
200910,4405897
201010,0005587
201110,3005784
201210,6105982
201310,5605885
201410,3005790
201510,6705995
201611,87066100
201712,25068104
201811,95066106
201912,18067107
202011,41063101
202112,65070101
202213,71076104
202312,86071106
202412,83071110
202514,12078113

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for plumbers in Michigan

+2.1%Projected growth in Michigan2024–2034, state agency
1,150Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
13,670Jobs in 202413,960 projected for 2034
+6.8%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of plumbers in the state to change by +2.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 13,670 to 13,960, with about 1,150 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +6.8% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed and use a different base year, so they do not match the 14,120 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for plumbers in Michigan

On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay plumbers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 81 of the 82 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $62.12 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $19.80). 1 of the 82 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Sanilac County at $19.80). The market median for the state is $38.56.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MIAlcona: $59.74 (union)Alger: $62.12 (union)Allegan: $70.75 (union)Alpena: $59.74 (union)Antrim: $59.74 (union)Arenac: $65.60 (union)Baraga: $62.12 (union)Barry: $70.75 (union)Bay: $68.99 (union)Benzie: $59.74 (union)Berrien: $57.47 (union)Branch: $71.72 (union)Calhoun: $71.72 (union)Cass: $52.96 (union)Charlevoix: $59.74 (union)Cheboygan: $59.74 (union)Chippewa: $62.12 (union)Clare: $65.60 (union)Clinton: $71.72 (union)Crawford: $59.74 (union)Delta: $62.12 (union)Dickinson: $61.76 (union)Eaton: $71.72 (union)Emmet: $59.74 (union)Genesee: $69.56 (union)Gladwin: $65.60 (union)Gogebic: $62.12 (union)Grand Traverse: $59.74 (union)Gratiot: $65.60 (union)Hillsdale: $71.72 (union)Houghton: $62.12 (union)Huron: $82.55 (union)Ingham: $71.72 (union)Ionia: $70.75 (union)Iosco: $59.74 (union)Iron: $62.12 (union)Isabella: $68.99 (union)Jackson: $71.72 (union)Kalamazoo: $57.47 (union)Kalkaska: $59.74 (union)Kent: $70.75 (union)Keweenaw: $62.12 (union)Lake: $61.56 (union)Lapeer: $69.56 (union)Leelanau: $59.74 (union)Lenawee: $73.79 (union)Livingston: $82.55 (union)Luce: $62.12 (union)Mackinac: $62.12 (union)Macomb: $82.55 (union)Manistee: $61.56 (union)Marquette: $62.12 (union)Mason: n/aMecosta: $61.56 (union)Menominee: $62.12 (union)Midland: $65.60 (union)Missaukee: $59.74 (union)Monroe: $73.50 (union)Montcalm: $61.56 (union)Montmorency: $59.74 (union)Muskegon: $70.75 (union)Newaygo: $70.75 (union)Oakland: $82.55 (union)Oceana: $61.56 (union)Ogemaw: $59.74 (union)Ontonagon: $62.12 (union)Osceola: $61.56 (union)Oscoda: $59.74 (union)Otsego: $59.74 (union)Ottawa: $70.75 (union)Presque Isle: $59.74 (union)Roscommon: $59.74 (union)Saginaw: $68.99 (union)St. Clair: $82.55 (union)St. Joseph: $57.47 (union)Sanilac: $19.80 (survey)Schoolcraft: $62.12 (union)Shiawassee: $69.56 (union)Tuscola: $65.60 (union)Van Buren: $57.47 (union)Washtenaw: $77.17 (union)Wayne: $82.55 (union)Wexford: $59.74 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$59.74$61.90$65.60$70.75n/asurvey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for plumbers by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (union)$20$40$60$80$100/hrLivingston (Detroit): market median $41.53, prevailing (union) $82.55, gap +$41.02Livingston (Detroit)+$41.02Washtenaw (Ann Arbor): market median $37.60, prevailing (union) $77.17, gap +$39.57Washtenaw (Ann Arbor)+$39.57Calhoun (Battle Creek): market median $35.53, prevailing (union) $71.72, gap +$36.19Calhoun (Battle Creek)+$36.19Midland (Midland): market median $30.73, prevailing (union) $65.60, gap +$34.87Midland (Midland)+$34.87Monroe (Monroe): market median $38.80, prevailing (union) $73.50, gap +$34.70Monroe (Monroe)+$34.70Clinton (Lansing): market median $37.59, prevailing (union) $71.72, gap +$34.13Clinton (Lansing)+$34.13Muskegon (Muskegon): market median $36.68, prevailing (union) $70.75, gap +$34.07Muskegon (Muskegon)+$34.07Bay (Bay City): market median $35.81, prevailing (union) $68.99, gap +$33.18Bay (Bay City)+$33.18Jackson (Jackson): market median $39.39, prevailing (union) $71.72, gap +$32.33Jackson (Jackson)+$32.33Barry (Grand Rapids): market median $38.67, prevailing (union) $70.75, gap +$32.08Barry (Grand Rapids)+$32.08Genesee (Flint): market median $38.71, prevailing (union) $69.56, gap +$30.85Genesee (Flint)+$30.85Saginaw (Saginaw): market median $38.67, prevailing (union) $68.99, gap +$30.32Saginaw (Saginaw)+$30.32Benzie (Traverse City): market median $30.34, prevailing (union) $59.74, gap +$29.40Benzie (Traverse City)+$29.40Berrien (Niles): market median $28.76, prevailing (union) $57.47, gap +$28.71Berrien (Niles)+$28.71Cass (South Bend): market median $35.67, prevailing (union) $52.96, gap +$17.29Cass (South Bend)+$17.29Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo): market median $43.62, prevailing (union) $57.47, gap +$13.85Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo)+$13.85
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for plumbers, metro counties in Michigan.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
HuronUnion PLUM0098-006 2026-06-01$45.34$37.21$82.55MI20260125
LivingstonUnion PLUM0098-003 2026-06-01$45.34$37.21$82.55MI20260090
MacombUnion PLUM0098-001 2026-06-01$45.34$37.21$82.55MI20260091
OaklandUnion PLUM0098-001 2026-06-01$45.34$37.21$82.55MI20260095
St. ClairUnion PLUM0098-001 2026-06-01$45.34$37.21$82.55MI20260098
WayneUnion PLUM0098-001 2026-06-01$45.34$37.21$82.55MI20260101
WashtenawUnion PLUM0190-004 2025-06-01$51.30$25.87$77.17MI20260100
LenaweeUnion PLUM0190-002 2025-06-01$49.43$24.36$73.79MI20260131
MonroeUnion PLUM0671-001 2025-07-01$46.71$26.79$73.50MI20260092
BranchUnion PLUM0333-005 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260110
CalhounUnion PLUM0333-006 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260079
ClintonUnion PLUM0333-006 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260081
EatonUnion PLUM0333-006 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260082
HillsdaleUnion PLUM0333-005 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260123
InghamUnion PLUM0333-006 2025-06-01$46.29$25.43$71.72MI20260084

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Michigan?

209.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-09
-1.3%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025209kSep 2026
Construction employment in Michigan (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Contractor pay by county

Average pay at plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just plumbers), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 73 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 96,108 in 2015 to 124,330 in 2025, +29.4%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Monroe County29498$119,020$2,289
Wayne County3244,129$102,402$1,969
Oakland County3644,355$96,266$1,851
Genesee County942,120$96,110$1,848
St. Joseph County14311$93,942$1,807
Kent County1945,043$91,456$1,759
Saginaw County45603$91,080$1,752
Washtenaw County66929$89,281$1,717
Kalamazoo County571,988$88,285$1,698
Macomb County2542,804$87,558$1,684
Jackson County44480$87,321$1,679
Ingham County51644$84,822$1,631

Keep comparing

Plumber pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Michigan

More on Michigan

Questions this page answers

How much do plumbers make in Michigan?

The median plumber in Michigan earned $38.56 an hour ($80,190 a year) in May 2025, 26% above the national median of $30.67. The middle half earn $27.93–$45.86; the top 10% earn more than $49.73.

Where does Michigan rank for plumber pay?

Michigan ranks 9th of 51 states for plumber pay, with a median of $38.56 an hour, and 9th after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).

What is the union plumber rate in Michigan?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for plumbers in 81 counties, with a typical package of $62.12 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many plumbers work in Michigan?

BLS counted 14,120 plumbers in Michigan in May 2025, 3.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.07; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is plumber work growing in Michigan?

The BLS employer survey count of plumbers in Michigan went from 10,670 in 2015 to 14,120 in 2025, +32.3%, and +15.9% since 2019. Michigan's labor market agency projects +2.1% growth for plumbers between 2024 and 2034, from 13,670 to 13,960 jobs.

How many plumber openings a year are there in Michigan?

Michigan projects about 1,150 openings a year for plumbers over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 42,000 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan and metro areas, SOC 47-2152. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.