The Plumber's Guide to Arlington, Texas

So, you’re thinking about pulling up your van and heading to Arlington, Texas. As a local who’s watched this city grow from a sleepy suburb into a major hub, I get it. It’s a place with real opportunity, but it’s not without its quirks. This guide isn't a sales pitch; it’s a data-driven breakdown of what your life as a plumber really looks like here, from the paycheck to the neighborhoods. Let’s get to work.

The Salary Picture: Where Arlington Stands

First, let's talk numbers. In Arlington, the plumbing trade is stable, but it's crucial to understand where you fit into the pay scale. The median salary for a plumber here is $63,977/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.76/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $63,350/year, which is a good sign—it means Arlington values the trade. The metro area has 796 jobs for plumbers, indicating a solid, active market. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which is steady, not explosive, suggesting long-term stability rather than a boom-and-bust cycle.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level. These are estimates based on local job postings and industry conversations, but they align with the overall median.

Experience Level	Typical Years in Trade	Estimated Arlington Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2 years (Apprentice)	$45,000 - $52,000	Assisting journeymen, basic trenching, material handling, learning code.
Mid-Level	3-7 years (Journeyman)	$60,000 - $70,000	Leading jobs, service calls, rough-in work, interpreting blueprints.
Senior	8-15 years (Senior Tech)	$70,000 - $85,000	Complex installations, project management, mentoring apprentices, specialty work.
Expert	15+ years (Master/Licensee)	$85,000+	Business ownership, commercial project design, code inspection, training programs.

Insider Tip: The jump from Mid-Level to Senior is where you'll see the biggest pay increase. Specializing in commercial work or high-end residential (like in Westlake or Highland Park) can push you toward the $85,000+ range faster than sticking with standard service calls.

How Arlington Compares to Other Texas Cities:

• Dallas: Higher median salary (around $68,000), but significantly higher cost of living and longer commutes.
• Fort Worth: Similar to Arlington, with a median around $62,000. Arlington sits nicely between the two.
• Austin: Median salary can be higher ($67,000+), but the cost of living is dramatically higher, especially rent.
• Houston: Similar median to Arlington, but the market is more industrial. Arlington's growth is more tied to residential and commercial (stadiums, entertainment).

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary is just a number until you see what’s left after the government and your landlord take their share. Arlington’s cost of living is 103.3, meaning it's 3.3% above the national average (100). The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,384/month. Let's break down a monthly budget for a plumber earning the median $63,977/year.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $63,977/Year:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Details & Assumptions
Gross Salary	$5,331	$63,977 / 12 months
Taxes (Est. 22%)	($1,173)	Federal, state (TX has no state income tax), and FICA. This is a rough estimate; actual depends on deductions.
Net Pay (Take-Home)	~$4,158	This is your starting point.
Rent (1BR Avg.)	($1,384)	For a decent, modern 1-bedroom in a safe area.
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	($150)	Varies by season; summer AC bills can spike.
Car Payment & Insurance	($500)	Assuming a modest car payment and Texas insurance premiums.
Health Insurance	($300)	Often deducted pre-tax, but this is a common copay/employer contribution estimate.
Food & Groceries	($450)	Cooking at home; Arlington has many affordable grocery options (Kroger, Tom Thumb).
Gas/Commute	($180)	Arlington is car-dependent; gas prices fluctuate.
Miscellaneous/Entertainment	($300)	Movies, dining out, personal care.
Total Expenses	($3,264)
Monthly Savings	~$894	This leaves you with about $900/month for savings, debt, or fun.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Arlington is around $320,000. With an $894/month surplus, a 20% down payment ($64,000) is a significant hurdle. However, many plumbers I know buy homes after a few years of steady work, often by:

1. Starting with a condo or townhouse (cheaper entry point).
2. Using VA loans (if they served in the military, which is common in Arlington).
3. Partnering with a spouse's income.
4. Buying in a more affordable neighborhood (see below).

The $894/month surplus isn't enough to save for a down payment quickly on a single income, but with disciplined budgeting and a few years of experience pushing your salary toward the $70,000+ mark, it becomes very feasible. Arlington's property taxes are high (around 2.2% of assessed value), which is a critical factor in your long-term budget.

Where the Jobs Are: Arlington's Major Employers

Arlington's economy isn't just the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. The plumbing demand comes from a mix of large employers, residential growth, and commercial projects. Here’s where to look:

1. Texas Health Resources (Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital): A major hospital system requires constant plumbing maintenance, medical gas line work, and renovation projects. These are steady, often unionized jobs with good benefits.
2. UT Arlington (University of Texas at Arlington): With over 40,000 students, the university is a massive employer for facilities and maintenance staff. They handle everything from dorm repairs to lab plumbing.
3. Arlington Independent School District (AISD): With over 50 campuses, AISD has a large, in-house maintenance department. These jobs are stable, have the school calendar off, and offer a pension.
4. Commercial Contractors (Hensel Phelps, Hunt Construction): These large firms handle major projects like the Arlington Convention Center, entertainment districts, and new corporate HQs. They hire plumbers for the duration of specific projects.
5. Residential Home Builders (HistoryMaker Homes, Perry Homes): Arlington’s suburbs (Mansfield, Grand Prairie) are booming with new construction. These builders need plumbers for rough-in and finish work.
6. Local Service Companies (Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mr. Rooter): National franchises with local branches. They're always hiring for service technicians, especially for their 24/7 teams.
7. The City of Arlington: The municipal government has its own public works department, managing water mains, sewer lines, and city-owned facilities. These are long-term, secure jobs.

Hiring Trend: There's a growing demand for plumbers who can work on high-efficiency systems and backflow prevention, especially for new commercial builds and updated residential codes. Commercial work is less seasonal than residential service, providing steadier income year-round.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a clear, structured path to licensure, managed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). It’s not cheap, but it’s a worthwhile investment.

• Apprentice License: You can start working immediately as an apprentice under a licensed master or journeyman. No state test is required, but you must register with the TSBPE (cost: ~$20).
• Journeyman License: Requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (approximately 4 years) and passing a state exam. You must be employed by a licensed master plumber during this time. Exam fee: $105. License fee: ~$300.
• Master License: Requires 12,000 hours as a journeyman (plus the 8,000 as an apprentice, so 20,000 total hours) and passing the master’s exam. Exam fee: $155. License fee: ~$400.

Timeline & Costs:

• Total Time to Journeyman: ~4 years (1 year of training + 3 years of work, though it's based on hours, not time).
• Total Time to Master: ~7-8 years total.
• Total Estimated Licensing Costs (Journeyman): $425 for exams/fees, plus class/training costs (which can range from $1,000-$3,000 for prep courses). Many employers will sponsor or reimburse these costs.

Insider Tip: The TSBPE exam is challenging. Don’t rely on just job experience. Invest in a reputable prep course. The exam focuses heavily on the International Plumbing Code (IPC), which Texas adopts with amendments.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are four neighborhoods that are plumber-friendly, based on access to job hubs and affordability.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Plumbers
East Arlington	Working-class, centrally located. Easy access to I-20 & I-30.	$1,100	Lower rent means more savings. Close to industrial areas and downtown job sites.
Dalworthington Gardens	Quiet, suburban, wooded. 15-20 mins from central Arlington.	$1,300	Great for families. Affordable homeownership compared to other suburbs.
Viridian (North Arlington)	Modern, master-planned community by the Trinity River.	$1,500	Newer homes, less old-pipe problems. Growing area with new construction jobs.
Highland Oaks / North Arlington	Established, mid-century homes. Near UTA and I-30.	$1,250	Steady work from older home renovations. Good mix of residential and commercial.

Personal Insight: If you're a journeyman starting out, East Arlington is the smart financial move. It puts you at the center of the action without the high rent of the newer developments. For a family, Dalworthington Gardens offers a great balance of space, safety, and a manageable commute to job sites in any part of the metroplex.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Sticking with plumbing in Arlington offers clear advancement paths. The 6% 10-year growth is modest but steady, meaning competition won't be fierce if you're skilled and licensed.

• Specialty Premiums: This is where the real money is.
  • Commercial/Industrial: Can add $10-$15/hour to your base rate. Involves larger systems, blueprints, and specialized tools.
  • Medical Gas: Requires additional certification, but it's a high-demand, high-wage niche.
  • Service & Repair (Roto-Rooter, etc.): Often includes commission for upsells (water heaters, sewer lines), which can boost earnings significantly.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Journeyman -> Master: As noted, this is the standard path. It allows you to pull your own permits and start a business.
  2. Field Tech -> Service Manager: Move into a supervisory role, managing a team of technicians.
  3. Employee -> Business Owner: Many master plumbers in Arlington started as apprentices. The city's growth supports new service companies, especially in the suburbs.
  4. Specialist -> Inspector: With a master's license, you can apply to become a municipal plumbing inspector for the City of Arlington or a surrounding county.

10-Year Outlook: The demand for qualified plumbers will remain. The growth in Arlington's entertainment districts (Texas Live!, Choctaw Stadium) and continued residential development in the southern suburbs (Mansfield, Kennedale) will ensure a pipeline of work. The key to long-term growth is specialization and adaptability to new technologies like PEX and trenchless pipe repair.

The Verdict: Is Arlington Right for You?

Arlington offers a solid middle-ground career for plumbers. It’s not the highest-paying city in Texas, but the cost of living is manageable, and the job market is diverse. Here’s the final breakdown.

Pros	Cons
Salary is above national average ($63,977 median).	High property taxes and rising home prices.
No state income tax boosts your take-home pay.	Car-dependent city; you need a reliable vehicle.
Diverse job market (residential, commercial, institutional).	Summers are brutally hot; outdoor work can be grueling.
Stable growth (6% over 10 years) means steady work.	Summers are brutally hot; outdoor work can be grueling.
Central location in DFW for more opportunities.	Building codes can be strict and vary by jurisdiction.

Final Recommendation: Arlington is an excellent choice for journeyman and master plumbers looking for a stable career without the extreme cost of living in Austin or Dallas. It's particularly good for:

• Those starting a family with the space and school options in suburbs like Dalworthington Gardens.
• Technicians who want variety—from old-home repairs to new commercial builds.
• Aspiring business owners who can tap into the growing residential and commercial markets.

If you're an entry-level apprentice, it's a great place to get your hours, but be prepared for a few years of tight living. If you're a master looking to open your own shop, Arlington's growth and central location provide a fertile ground. The data supports the move, provided you budget wisely and specialize.

FAQs

1. What's the first step if I'm moving to Texas with my plumbing license from another state?
Texas does not have reciprocity with most states. You will likely need to apply as a "licensed plumber by endorsement" through the TSBPE. This requires submitting your experience, proof of licensure from your home state, and potentially passing the Texas code exam. Contact the TSBPE directly for your specific case.

2. Is Arlington a union city for plumbers?
The Dallas Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 100 covers Arlington. Union jobs are more common in commercial and industrial sectors (like hospitals and large contractors) and offer higher wages and benefits, but they also require union membership. Residential service work is often non-union.

3. How competitive is the job market for new journeymen?
It's moderately competitive. With 796 jobs in the metro, there's demand, but employers want reliable journeymen. The key is building a network. Join local trade groups, get to know supply house staff (like at Ferguson or Austin Supply), and get your name out there. The 6% growth means it's not a free-for-all, but a skilled, licensed plumber won't stay unemployed long.

4. What's the biggest challenge for plumbers new to Arlington?
The summer heat and the older plumbing in certain neighborhoods. You'll be working in attics and crawlspaces in 100+°F heat, so heat management is critical. Also, many homes in East and North Arlington were built pre-1970, with cast iron or galvanized pipes that are failing, leading to more complex repair jobs.

5. Can I make a living as a solo plumber in Arlington?
Yes, but it's not easy at first. You'll need your Master License to pull permits, a solid business plan, insurance, and a marketing strategy for a small service company. Many start by doing side jobs while working for a company. The suburban growth to the south (Mansfield, Midlothian) offers a great customer base for a new business, as these areas are full of new homes needing maintenance.