Here is a comprehensive career guide for Plumbers considering a move to Irving, TX.

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A Plumber's Guide to Irving, TX: The Metroplex's Underdog Job Market

If you're a plumber looking for steady work, Irving offers a compelling mix of urban density and suburban sprawl. It's not the flashiest city in the DFW metro, but its location—sitting between Dallas and Fort Worth—makes it a plumbing hub. The city is a patchwork of older suburbs, corporate campuses, and medium-density apartment complexes, all of which need constant maintenance. The DFW region's relentless growth means pipes are always bursting, new builds are going up, and water heaters are failing. For a tradesperson, this is stability.

This guide breaks down the financial reality, the job landscape, and the lifestyle trade-offs of working as a plumber in Irving.

The Salary Picture: Where Irving Stands

Let’s cut to the chase: plumbing in Irving pays slightly above the national average, but the real value depends on your specialty and experience.

The median salary for a plumber in Irving is $63,977/year. This breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.76/hour. For context, the national average for plumbers sits at $63,350/year. Irving edges it out by a few hundred dollars—a small but meaningful margin, especially considering the cost of living.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local job market data, there are approximately 508 active plumbing jobs in the metro area. The 10-year job growth projection is 6%, which is steady and reliable. This isn't a boomtown for plumbers, but it’s a recession-proof market. The aging infrastructure of homes built in the 70s and 80s, combined with new corporate developments, creates a constant demand for service calls and installations.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Here’s how salary typically scales with experience in the Irving area:

Experience Level	Typical Annual Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$45,000 - $52,000	Basic repairs, drain cleaning, assisting journeymen, warehouse inventory.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$55,000 - $68,000	Service calls, water heater installations, minor rough-ins, customer interaction.
Senior (8-15 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000+	Complex repipes, new construction rough-ins, commercial work, training apprentices.
Expert (15+ yrs)	$85,000 - $100,000+	Project management, business ownership, specialized system design (medical gas, hydronics).

Comparison to Other Texas Cities

Irving holds its own against major Texas metros. It’s more affordable than Dallas proper but offers comparable wages to other suburbs.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Market Saturation
Irving, TX	$63,977	103.3	Moderate
Dallas, TX	$64,500	108.5	High
Fort Worth, TX	$62,800	102.7	Moderate
Houston, TX	$63,500	104.1	High
Austin, TX	$65,200	114.6	High

Insider Tip: While Dallas has a higher salary ceiling, competition is fierce. In Irving, you can build a strong residential service route without battling the traffic and dense competition of downtown Dallas.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $63,977 looks good on paper, but what does it mean for your monthly budget in Irving?

Let’s break it down for a single plumber earning the median salary. We’ll assume a standard filing status and a take-home pay of roughly 70% after federal, state (TX has no state income tax), and FICA taxes.

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

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Net Income (Take-Home)	~$3,730	After taxes (approx. 30% deduction)
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,291	Citywide average
Utilities	$200	Electricity, water, internet
Groceries	$350
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Assumes used vehicle, standard insurance
Fuel	$200	Commuting to job sites across DFW
Health Insurance	$300	Employer-sponsored or marketplace
Retirement Savings (10%)	$530	Essential for long-term financial health
Discretionary/Misc.	$359	Tools, entertainment, emergency fund

Can they afford to buy a home?
The short answer is yes, but with caution. The median home price in Irving is approximately $350,000. For a $350,000 home with a 20% down payment ($70,000), a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $2,100-$2,300/month.

At a median salary of $63,977, your gross monthly income is about $5,331. A $2,300 mortgage payment is 43% of your gross income—just under the typical lender's limit of 45%. It’s tight. You would need to be debt-free (no car payments) and have a strong emergency fund. A dual-income household makes homeownership much more feasible. Many plumbers in Irving live in surrounding suburbs like Grand Prairie or Hurst for more affordable housing options.

Where the Jobs Are: Irving's Major Employers

Irving’s plumbing job market is split between residential service companies, large commercial contractors, and in-house facilities teams for major employers. Here’s a look at the key players:

1. Garcia Plumbing & Repair: A prominent local residential company servicing Irving and the surrounding suburbs. They focus on service and repair, offering steady year-round work. Known for investing in technician training and providing vans.
2. Cannon & Sons Plumbing: A family-owned business with a strong reputation in the DFW area. They handle both residential and light commercial work. They often hire for growth-oriented individuals looking to move from service to project work.
3. City of Irving Public Works: The municipal government is a major employer for licensed plumbers in roles related to water treatment, distribution, and facility maintenance. These jobs offer excellent benefits and job security, though they may require additional city-specific certifications.
4. IRVING-CAREY Construction: A large commercial GC that works on schools, medical facilities, and corporate offices. They hire plumbing subcontractors and sometimes in-house estimators/foremen. This is where you go for large-scale rough-in and finish work.
5. Texas Health Resources (Irving Campus): The hospital system requires specialized medical gas plumbers and certified backflow testers. These roles pay a premium ($35-$45/hour) and require specific certifications, but they are highly stable.
6. AT&T (Headquarters in Dallas, but major presence in Irving): The massive AT&T campus requires a dedicated facilities team for plumbing maintenance. These are often posted through staffing agencies and offer a corporate environment with benefits.

Hiring Trend: There's a growing demand for plumbers with green/technology certifications (e.g., PEX, tankless water heaters, recirculation systems). Companies are increasingly looking for techs who can explain modern plumbing solutions to homeowners.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a clear but rigorous path to becoming a licensed plumber. You cannot legally perform plumbing work for the public without a license.

1. Registered Plumber (4 Years of Experience): You must work under a Master Plumber for 4,800 hours over 2 years, plus 24 hours of classroom instruction annually. Then you can take the Registered Plumber exam.
2. Master Plumber (2 Years as Registered): After holding a Registered Plumber license for 2 years, you can work toward your Master Plumber license. This requires an additional 12,000 hours of experience and a final exam. A Master Plumber can own a business and supervise all work.

Costs & Timeline:

• Total Time: 6+ years from apprentice to Master.
• Exam Fees: ~$150 for the Registered Plumber exam, ~$200 for the Master Plumber exam (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners).
• Tools/Investment: $1,000 - $3,000 for a basic toolset as a journeyman, $5,000+ for a full service vehicle if you start your own business.

Insider Tip: The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website is your best friend. Start logging your hours meticulously from day one. In Irving, finding a Master Plumber to apprentice under is easier in residential service companies than in commercial construction.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Irving affects your commute, rent, and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Plumbing Job Access
Las Colinas	Upscale, corporate. 10-15 min to downtown Dallas. Walkable.	$1,500+	Excellent for commercial/service jobs in corporate parks.
Valley Ranch	Suburban, family-friendly. Near DFW Airport.	$1,350	Great central location, easy access to all major highways.
South Irving / Broadmoor	Older, affordable, diverse. 15 min to downtown.	$1,100	High density of older homes = steady service call volume.
Coppell Border	Quiet, affluent, tight-knit. 20 min to airport.	$1,450	Commute to Irving jobs is short; neighbors are homeowners with budget.
East Irving (Near DFW)	Industrial, no-frills, very affordable.	$950	Close to airport/industrial parks for commercial plumbing work.

Insider Tip: If you’re starting out, South Irving offers affordable rent and a high density of older homes needing repair—the perfect combination for building a client base. If you’ve got experience and are aiming for commercial work, Las Colinas puts you in the heart of the action.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Plumbing in Irving isn't just a job; it's a career with clear advancement paths.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Medical Gas: +$5-$10/hour. Requires ASSE 6000 certification.
  • Backflow Testing: +$3-$8/hour. Requires state certification.
  • Drain Cleaning (Hydro-Jetting): +$2-$5/hour. Specialized equipment skills.
  • Commercial/Industrial: Generally pays 10-20% more than residential due to scale and complexity.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Service Technician to Service Manager: Oversee a team of techs, manage schedules, and handle customer escalations.
  2. Field Technician to Foreman/Project Manager: Move into commercial new construction, managing crews and budgets.
  3. Journeyman to Business Owner: With a Master Plumber license, you can start your own shop. Irving's size is perfect for a small, well-run service company to dominate a specific neighborhood.

• 10-Year Outlook (6% Growth): The 6% growth is solid. The biggest threat to individual earning potential is not a lack of work, but a failure to adapt. Plumbers who learn to install and maintain high-efficiency systems, smart water valves, and tankless heaters will command the highest rates. The population is aging, and so is the housing stock—your skills will be in demand.

The Verdict: Is Irving Right for You?

Irving is a practical choice for a plumber. It offers a stable job market with a median salary of $63,977, but it requires smart financial planning due to the cost of living. It’s a city for those who value work over nightlife, and who want to be at the center of DFW's growth without the intense competition of Dallas.

Pros and Cons:

Pros	Cons
Stable, Diverse Job Market: Residential, commercial, and municipal work.	Cost of Living: Rent is 29% above the national average.
Strong Earnings Potential: Pay is slightly above national average.	Traffic: Commutes can be long if you live on the wrong side of the metro.
Central Location: Easy to get anywhere in DFW for work or play.	Housing Market: Buying a home on a single median income is challenging.
Room for Growth: 10-year outlook is positive, with room for specialists.	Competition: While less than Dallas, you still need to stand out.

Final Recommendation:
For a mid-career plumber with 3-7 years of experience, Irving is a top-tier choice. You can leverage your skills to land a job paying near the median salary, find affordable housing in a neighborhood like Valley Ranch, and build a long-term career. For an apprentice just starting, it’s a great place to learn, but you may need to start in a shared apartment or with roommates. Avoid Irving if you’re looking for a low cost of living or a small-town feel.

FAQs

Q: Is the plumbing market oversaturated in Irving?
A: No. With 508 jobs and steady growth, the market is balanced. The key is specialization. General service plumbers can find work, but those with a niche (commercial, medical, drains) are in higher demand and can name their price.

Q: Do I need my own van to get hired?
A: Not necessarily for residential service companies—they often provide fully stocked vans. For commercial or independent work, your own vehicle is essential. Many companies offer a vehicle allowance or a take-home van program for senior techs.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for plumbers in Irving?
A: The summer heat. Working in attics and outside in July and August can be brutal. Proper hydration and a good company that provides cooling gear (cooling towels, portable fans) is a must. Also, the hard water in the area is a constant source of work (scale buildup in water heaters and pipes).

Q: How do I find an apprenticeship in Irving?
A: Start with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website for a list of licensed Master Plumbers. Then, target local companies like Garcia Plumbing or Cannon & Sons. Be persistent—call, stop by with your resume, and express a long-term commitment. The local trade unions (like UA Local 98) also have apprenticeship programs that serve the DFW area.

Q: Is owning a plumbing business viable in Irving?
A: Absolutely. The city is large enough to support many small businesses but not so large that you’re competing with national chains. A well-marketed, reliable service company focusing on a specific area (e.g., South Irving) can become very profitable. The key is customer service and building a good reputation in your immediate community.