Plumbers in Everett, WA: A Complete Career Guide

As a career analyst who’s spent years navigating the Pacific Northwest job market, I’ve watched Everett transform from a quiet mill town into a dynamic, if sometimes gritty, hub for skilled trades. This isn't Seattle with its skyrocketing costs, but it’s not the cheap Rust Belt either. For a plumber, Everett represents a specific balance: solid work, a manageable cost of living, and a chance to build a life in a city that’s constantly evolving. If you’re a plumber considering a move here, this guide is for you. We’ll cut through the noise and look at the data, the neighborhoods, and the real-world numbers that define a career in the plumbing trade in Everett, Washington.

The Salary Picture: Where Everett Stands

Let’s start with the bottom line. In Everett, the median salary for a plumber is $65,820 per year, or $31.64 per hour. This is slightly above the national median for the trade, which sits at $63,350 per year. It’s a respectable wage, but context is everything. The Seattle metropolitan area’s plumbing wages are generally higher, pulling the broader region up. Everett, with its industrial legacy and growing residential base, holds its own. The metro area has an estimated 222 plumbing jobs, a number that reflects both steady demand and competition. Over the past decade, the trade has seen a 6% growth, a modest but consistent upward trend driven by new construction and the endless need for maintenance and repair in an aging housing stock.

To understand where you fit in, here’s a breakdown of earnings by experience level, based on regional data and trade union scales (which often set the market floor):

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Typical Annual Salary Range (Everett)	Notes
Entry-Level / Apprentice	0-2	$40,000 - $55,000	Typically working under a journeyman or master plumber. Pay increases with each year of apprenticeship.
Mid-Level / Journeyman	3-8	$60,000 - $75,000	This is where the median salary sits. Licensed to work independently on most jobs.
Senior / Lead Technician	8-15	$75,000 - $90,000	Often supervises crews, handles complex commercial/industrial jobs, and may have specialized certifications.
Expert / Master Plumber/Owner	15+	$90,000 - $125,000+	Runs a business, holds a master’s license, consults on major projects. Top end is for business owners.

Insider Tip: Union plumbers (Local 26, which covers Everett) often earn at the higher end of these ranges, especially on prevailing wage projects (state-funded schools, infrastructure). If you’re non-union, you might start lower but have more flexibility. Always ask about benefits—health insurance and retirement contributions can add 30% to your total compensation package.

Comparison to Other WA Cities

Everett isn’t the top earner in Washington, but it’s a solid middle ground.

• Seattle: Median closer to $72,000-$75,000, but cost of living is prohibitive. The commute from Everett to Seattle is manageable, but daily traffic is a grind.
• Spokane: Median around $62,000. Lower pay, but significantly cheaper cost of living.
• Olympia: Median around $65,000. Similar to Everett, with a government-focused economy.
• Bellingham: Median around $64,000. A smaller market with a high-demand seasonal sector.

Everett offers a "sweet spot": near the Seattle wage scale but with a more attainable cost of living.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $65,820 salary sounds good, but what does it mean in your pocket in Everett? Let’s break down a realistic monthly budget for a single plumber living in a one-bedroom apartment.

Assumptions:

• Take-home pay after federal taxes, WA state tax (there is none, but federal and FICA apply), and local taxes (if any): ~70% of gross pay.
• Average 1BR rent: $1,864/month.

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (Approx.)	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$5,485	$65,820 / 12 months
Take-Home Pay (Est.)	$3,840	After ~30% for taxes/FICA
Rent (1BR Average)	($1,864)
Utilities (Gas, Elec, Internet)	($250)	Varies by season; winters are mild but damp.
Groceries & Household	($400)
Car Payment/Insurance/Gas	($500)	Essential in Everett; public transit is improving but not comprehensive.
Health Insurance (if not covered)	($300)	A major factor if you're non-union or at a small shop.
Savings/Debt/Discretionary	($526)	This is your buffer for emergencies, retirement, or fun.

Can you afford to buy a home? The median home price in Everett is roughly $550,000. For a plumber earning the median salary, this is a stretch on a single income. A $550,000 home with a 10% down payment ($55,000) would require a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of around $3,200-$3,400. That’s nearly your entire take-home pay. However, many plumbers in Everett are dual-income households, which changes the equation. With a partner earning a modest salary, buying becomes feasible, especially in more affordable neighborhoods. It’s common for experienced plumbers here to buy a fixer-upper in a neighborhood like Pinehurst or Lowell, renovate it over time, and build significant equity.

Insider Tip: Washington’s first-time homebuyer assistance programs can be a game-changer. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers down payment assistance and low-interest loans. As a skilled tradesperson, you’re a prime candidate for these programs.

Where the Jobs Are: Everett's Major Employers

The plumbing job market in Everett is diverse. You’re not just looking at residential service calls. The city’s industrial and institutional base provides a steady stream of commercial and industrial work.

1. Port of Everett: As a major maritime and industrial hub, the Port employs plumbers directly for facility maintenance and oversees major construction contracts. Ongoing projects at the Naval Station Everett and the waterfront redevelopment mean steady demand.
2. Boeing (Everett Plant): The massive Boeing complex is a sprawling city-within-a-city requiring an army of facilities plumbers. While they often use contracted unions (like Local 26) for large projects, they have in-house maintenance teams. Stability here is high.
3. Providence Regional Medical Center (Colby Campus): Hospitals are plumbing-heavy environments with constant code upgrades, sterilization equipment, and new construction. This is a prime employer for commercial plumbers with medical gas certification (a high-paying specialty).
4. City of Everett Public Works: The city government is a direct employer for municipal plumbers working on water mains, sewer lines, and public facility maintenance. These jobs come with pensions and union benefits.
5. Large Regional Contractors: Companies like Mason General Contractors, Rural/Metro Construction, and Sierra Construction have a major presence in Snohomish County. They bid on Everett schools, city projects, and commercial buildings, hiring union and non-union crews. Following the bidding calendar for Everett School District and city projects is key.
6. Residential Service Companies: Chain companies like Ben Franklin Plumbing (a popular franchise) and local stalwarts like Roto-Rooter and Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter are always hiring licensed journeymen for service and repair.
7. Naval Station Everett: While not a direct employer for plumbers, the base’s maintenance is contracted out. These are prevailing wage jobs, often done by union locals, offering some of the best pay and benefits in the trade.

Hiring Trends: There’s a noticeable shift toward green plumbing. Everett is pushing for water conservation and energy efficiency. Plumbers with certifications in PEX systems, high-efficiency fixtures, and backflow prevention are increasingly sought after. The Puget Sound region’s focus on stormwater management also means more work in drainage and sump systems for both residential and commercial properties.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington has a clear, strict licensing system administered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). You cannot legally do plumbing work for hire without a license.

Pathway to Licensure:

1. Apprenticeship: This is the most common route. You must complete a state-approved apprenticeship program (4 years, 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction). You start as an apprentice, earning a percentage of a journeyman’s wage (usually 40-50%).
2. Trade School: Some community colleges (like Everett Community College) offer pre-apprenticeship programs that can help you get your foot in the door, but they don’t replace the apprenticeship requirement.
3. Examination: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the Washington State Plumber’s Exam. The exam is administered by Prov. The fee is approximately $112 for the journeyman exam.
4. Licensing Fee: Once you pass, you pay a licensing fee (around $140 for a journeyman license, renewed every 2 years).

Total Cost (Apprenticeship to Journeyman): Apprenticeship is typically paid-for by employers or unions. The total out-of-pocket cost for exams and fees is under $300.

Timeline: From the start of an apprenticeship to holding a journeyman license, it typically takes 4 to 5 years. If you’re already licensed in another state, Washington has reciprocity with some states (like Oregon, Idaho), but you’ll still need to apply and may need to take a portion of the exam. Check the L&I website for the most current reciprocity agreements.

Insider Tip: The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website is your bible. Bookmark it. The rules are updated frequently, especially regarding backflow prevention and gas piping, which are high-demand, high-pay specialties.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Choosing where to live in Everett depends on your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s take:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Plumbers
Northwest Everett / Port Gardner	Urban, working-class, close to the Port and Boeing. Walkable to some amenities.	$1,600 - $1,900	Short commute to major industrial employers. Older housing stock means constant repair work. Affordable rents.
Pinehurst-Cedar Valley	Quiet, suburban, family-friendly. Near the Boeing campus and Silver Lake.	$1,800 - $2,100	Great for homeowners. Many single-family homes, good schools, and a 15-minute drive to Boeing or downtown.
Downtown Everett	Revitalizing, artsy, more nightlife. Walkable to restaurants and the Providence hospital.	$1,700 - $2,000	Ideal if you work at the hospital or in commercial service. No car needed for many amenities, but parking is tough.
Lowell / South Everett	Working-class, heavily industrial (near the Port). More diverse housing.	$1,500 - $1,800	Closest to the Port and Naval Station. Roughly 10-minute commute. Rents are the lowest in the city.
Silver Lake	Upscale suburban, lakefront properties. Very quiet, more affluent.	$2,000+	Best for established plumbers with families. Commute is longer (20-30 mins to Boeing/Port), but quality of life is high.

Commute Note: Traffic on I-5 and Highway 2 is the primary artery. If you work at Boeing or the Port, living in North Everett or Lowell can cut your commute to under 20 minutes. If you’re in residential service, living centrally (like Downtown or Pinehurst) gives you quick access to the entire metro area.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Plumbing in Everett isn’t a dead-end job; it’s a career with clear advancement paths. The 6% job growth over 10 years is modest, but the real growth is in specialization.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Medical Gas: Plumbers certified to install and maintain medical gas systems in hospitals can earn 10-20% more than a standard journeyman.
  • Backflow Prevention: A critical certification in the PNW, where irrigation systems are common. Certified testers can command higher hourly rates.
  • Gas Piping: With the shift from oil heating, gas line installation is a booming sub-trade.
  • Drain Cleaning/Sewer Repair: Specializing in trenchless pipe bursting or camera inspections is a lucrative niche.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Service Technician: Move from construction to service. This is often higher-paying due to commissions and emergency call-outs. Requires strong diagnostic skills.
  2. Foreman/Project Manager: Move from the tools to supervising crews. Requires good people skills and a deep understanding of codes and scheduling.
  3. Estimator/Project Coordinator: Move into the office. You work with blueprints and talk to clients, but don’t do physical work. Pay is salary-based and can be very good.
  4. Business Owner: The ultimate goal for many. Start with a van and a tool set. The Everett market is large enough to support small, specialized firms (e.g., "Everett Sewer & Drain").

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong. The 6% job growth is a floor, not a ceiling. As the Boeing plant and Port of Everett continue to modernize, and as Everett’s residential base grows with the Sound Transit light rail extension, the need for skilled plumbers will only increase. The key is to keep pace with technology—learning about smart home water systems, water filtration, and commercial automation.

The Verdict: Is Everett Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-Median Pay ($65,820) relative to a manageable cost of living.	Not a "cheap" city. The Cost of Living Index is 113.0 (US avg = 100). Rent is high for the Pacific Northwest.
Diverse Job Market (Industrial, Commercial, Residential).	Traffic can be a grind. The commute to Seattle or even across town can test your patience.
Stable Major Employers (Boeing, Port, Hospital, City).	The "grit" factor. Parts of Everett are still industrial and working-class; it’s not the polished, suburban feel of Bellevue or Redmond.
Pathway to Homeownership is more realistic than in Seattle.	Weather: The "Everett Damp." Gray skies and rain for 8-9 months a year can be tough for those from sunnier climates.
Union Presence (Local 26) provides strong benefits and wage floors.	Limited nightlife/culture compared to Seattle. You go to Seattle for major concerts or sports; Everett is for local breweries and community events.

Final Recommendation: Everett is an excellent choice for a mid-career plumber (journeyman level) looking to establish a long-term career and potentially buy a home. It offers the best balance of wage, cost of living, and job security in the central Puget Sound region. For an entry-level apprentice, it’s a great place to start, especially if you can land a spot at a large, union shop. For a senior plumber or owner, it’s a stable market to grow a business. If you’re a single person craving a vibrant, non-stop urban scene, you might find it a bit quiet. But if you value practical work, a sense of community, and a chance to build a solid life without being priced out, Everett is a plumber’s town.

FAQs

Q: I’m licensed in Oregon. Can I work in Everett right away?
A: Washington has reciprocity with Oregon for journeyman plumbers. You’ll need to apply for a Washington license through the L&I, pay the fees, and potentially take a state-specific exam (like the business and law portion). It’s not automatic, but it’s a streamlined process.

Q: Is the license exam very difficult?
A: It’s not easy. It’s a comprehensive test on Washington state codes (WACs), which are updated frequently. Most people take a prep course. The pass rate for first-timers who take a prep course is much higher than for those who don’t.

Q: How hard is it to get an apprenticeship?
A: Competitive. In Everett, the JATC (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee) for Local 26 is the primary route. You’ll need a clean driving record, pass a drug test, and often score well on a basic aptitude test. Applying to multiple non-union shops (like Ben Franklin) can also get you started.

Q: What’s the deal with the "Everett Damp"?
A: It’s real. Summers are gorgeous (dry and 70-