Skilled Wages

Plumber salary in Michigan

Median $38.56 an hour for 14,120 plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.

$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 2026-09-28

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, pipefitters and steamfitters: 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, pipefitters and steamfitters work in the state.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry$22.38 – $27.93$46,560 – $58,090roughly the 10th–25th percentile
Journeyman$27.93 – $45.86$58,090 – $95,390the middle half, around the median
Master / foreman / specialist$45.86 – $49.73$95,390 – $103,430the 75th–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, pipefitters and steamfitters by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hr90thJobsvs state
Kalamazoo$23.17$43.62$53.6987013% above
Detroit$23.20$41.53$51.825,5208% above
Jackson$21.31$39.39$52.512502% above
Monroe$21.93$38.80$49.122501% above
Flint$22.12$38.71$50.89790about the same as
Grand Rapids$22.42$38.67$47.222,270about the same as
Saginaw$21.89$38.67$48.77260about the same as
Ann Arbor$22.89$37.60$49.324202% below
Lansing$21.25$37.59$46.996503% below
Muskegon$21.12$36.68$44.102005% below
Bay City$18.77$35.81$51.381107% below
South Bend$22.32$35.67$47.624907% below
Battle Creek$21.87$35.53$49.701408% below
Midland$20.01$30.73$45.4613020% below
Traverse City$20.16$30.34$45.8619021% below
Niles$19.04$28.76$44.659025% below

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, pipefitters and steamfitters, 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.

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: —Mecosta: $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 2026-09-28. 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?

211.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-08
-1.7%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025211kAug 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.

CountyEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Monroe County498$119,020$2,289
Wayne County4,129$102,402$1,969
Oakland County4,355$96,266$1,851
Genesee County2,120$96,110$1,848
St. Joseph County311$93,942$1,807
Kent County5,043$91,456$1,759
Saginaw County603$91,080$1,752
Washtenaw County929$89,281$1,717
Kalamazoo County1,988$88,285$1,698
Macomb County2,804$87,558$1,684
Jackson County480$87,321$1,679
Ingham County644$84,822$1,631

Keep comparing

Plumber pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in 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, pipefitters and steamfitters in Michigan in May 2025, 3.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.07; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan and metro areas, SOC 47-2152.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.