Plumber in Johns Creek, GA

The Salary Picture: Where Johns Creek Stands

As a local who’s watched the plumbing trade evolve across North Fulton, I can tell you Johns Creek offers a stable, competitive market for skilled tradespeople. The city’s rapid growth from a quiet suburb to a bustling hub with over 81,000 residents means constant demand for plumbing services—from new construction in the Medlock Bridge area to aging infrastructure in older subdivisions.

Let’s get straight to the numbers. According to the latest data, the median salary for plumbers in Johns Creek is $63,521/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.54/hour. This puts it slightly above the national average of $63,350/year, a testament to the area’s affluence and cost of living. The metro area, which includes Johns Creek, has 162 plumbing jobs, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, indicating steady, reliable demand rather than explosive but volatile growth.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn based on experience level in the Johns Creek market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Expected Salary Range	Notes for Johns Creek
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$45,000 - $52,000/year	Often starts as a helper or apprentice. Many local companies offer paid training.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$58,000 - $68,000/year	This is where many licensed plumbers fall. Can handle most residential and light commercial calls.
Senior	8-15 years	$70,000 - $85,000/year	Expertise in complex systems, service management, or specialized commercial work.
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$85,000 - $100,000+	Often leads teams, handles high-end residential clients, or runs a niche specialty.

How does this compare to other Georgia cities?

• Atlanta (Metro): Slightly higher median salary (~$65,000), but competition is fierce and commutes can be brutal. Johns Creek offers a better work-life balance.
• Roswell: Very similar to Johns Creek, with a nearly identical cost of living and job market. It's a direct competitor for talent.
• Alpharetta: Median salary might be $2,000-$3,000 higher, but housing costs are also significantly steeper. Johns Creek can be a more affordable alternative.
• Augusta/Columbus: Salaries are notably lower, often $10,000-$15,000 below the Johns Creek median. The move here is usually for higher earning potential.

Insider Tip: The $63,521 median is a solid baseline. Your actual take-home depends heavily on whether you work for a large company (steady pay, benefits) or a smaller shop (higher hourly rates but variable hours). Many of the top earners in the area work for themselves, but that requires a business license and marketing savvy.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Living in Johns Creek means balancing a good salary against a cost of living that’s slightly above the national average. The Cost of Living Index is 100.9 (US avg = 100), and the Average 1BR Rent is $1,362/month. Let’s see what a plumber earning the median salary of $63,521/year can realistically expect.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $63,521/year:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $5,293
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$1,200 (varies by deductions)
• Net Monthly Pay (Take-Home): ~$4,093
• Average 1BR Rent: $1,362
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings: $2,731

This leaves room for a comfortable lifestyle. A typical utility bill (water, electricity, gas, internet) in Johns Creek might run $200-$300. Groceries for one person could be $400-$500. A car is essential here, so factor in gas, insurance, and maintenance ($400-$600). You’d still have over $1,000 left for savings, debt payments, or leisure.

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the bigger question. The median home price in Johns Creek hovers around $550,000 - $600,000. For a plumber earning $63,521, a traditional 20% down payment ($110,000-$120,000) is a significant hurdle. However, with strong credit and a low debt-to-income ratio, an FHA loan (3.5% down) makes homeownership possible, with a monthly mortgage payment likely exceeding $2,800. This would be a stretch on a single income. Most plumbers buying in Johns Creek are either in dual-income households or have moved up to senior/expert level salaries (or run their own successful business).

Where the Jobs Are: Johns Creek's Major Employers

The job market here is a mix of large regional contractors, local family-owned shops, and service companies serving the affluent residential base. Here are the key players:

1. Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service: A national franchise with a strong local presence. They handle a high volume of emergency calls, especially in older neighborhoods like Sandy Springs (which borders Johns Creek). Hiring is consistent, and they offer structured training. Good for new plumbers looking to gain broad experience.

2. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (of Atlanta): A locally-owned franchise known for its punctuality guarantee. They focus on the higher-end residential market in areas like The Country Club of the South and Medlock Bridge. They often seek plumbers with strong customer service skills and a clean, professional appearance.

3. Plumb Perfect Plumbing: A well-regarded local company based in nearby Suwanee. They specialize in new construction and remodels, which is a major driver of work in Johns Creek's newer subdivisions like Berkeley Lake. They have a reputation for quality and often hire from trade schools.

4. City of Johns Creek Public Works: While competitive, the city occasionally hires plumbers for municipal water and sewer systems. This is a stable government job with excellent benefits. Watch the City's career page for openings. It’s a different pace than residential service but offers job security.

5. HomeServe USA (Field Service Contractors): This is a major employer in the area. HomeServe partners with utility companies and municipalities to offer home repair insurance. They contract with hundreds of local, independent plumbing companies. Getting on as a contractor with a network like this can provide a steady stream of work without the overhead of running a full business.

6. North Fulton Hospital (Wellstar North Fulton): Large facilities need in-house maintenance teams. While not always hiring, these positions offer benefits and a regular schedule, a nice alternative to on-call residential work.

Hiring Trends: Demand is strongest for plumbers who are licensed and insured. There’s a noticeable gap between the number of unlicensed helpers and licensed journeyman plumbers. Companies are increasingly looking for plumbers with experience in PEX piping, tankless water heater installation, and whole-home repiping—all services in high demand due to the age of many homes built in the 1980s and 1990s.

Getting Licensed in Georgia

You must be licensed to perform plumbing work in Georgia. The process is regulated by the Georgia State Board of Plumbing Examiners. It’s not overly complex, but it’s non-negotiable.

Requirements & Costs:

• Apprenticeship: You need documented hours (typically 4,000 hours over 2+ years) under a licensed plumber. Many apprentices work while attending a technical college program.
• Journeyman Plumber License: Requires 4 years of experience (4,000 hours per year, total 16,000 hours) and passing an exam. Exam fee: ~$150.
• Master Plumber License: Requires 2 additional years (8,000 hours) of experience as a journeyman and passing the master’s exam. Exam fee: ~$150.
• Business License: If you plan to work for yourself, you’ll need a business license from the City of Johns Creek ($100-$200) and a state occupational tax certificate.

Total Estimated Cost to Get Licensed (Journeyman): $500 - $800 (exam fees, state application, study materials).

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Year 1-2: Secure an apprenticeship (contact local companies or apply through the Georgia Plumbing Industry Training Center in Atlanta). Complete your technical training.
2. Year 3-4: Continue gaining hours. Start studying for the journeyman exam (the Uniform Plumbing Code is key).
3. End of Year 4: Take the exam. Once licensed, you can work as a journeyman anywhere in Georgia.

Insider Tip: The Georgia State Board of Plumbing Examiners website is your bible. Bookmark it. Keep a detailed log of your hours—companies will ask for it. Johns Creek companies prefer hiring plumbers already licensed in Georgia, as it streamlines their insurance and liability.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Johns Creek is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for a Plumber
Medlock Bridge	Upscale, newer homes (1990s+), close to top schools. Commute to major employers is easy.	$1,550/month	Central location. High-end homes mean more complex, higher-paying work.
Berkeley Lake	Family-oriented, planned community with a lake. Slightly older homes (1980s).	$1,450/month	Steady demand for repiping and fixture upgrades. Good for building a local client base.
Sandy Springs (border)	Urban-suburban mix. Older homes from the 1970s. Direct access to I-285 and Roswell.	$1,600/month	Prime territory for service and repair work. Lots of aging infrastructure.
Suwanee (nearby)	Growing, more affordable than core Johns Creek. Mix of new and old construction.	$1,300/month	Lower rent, easier access to new construction jobs in North Fulton/Gwinnett.
Downtown Johns Creek (Cumming area)	More rural feel, larger lots, newer custom homes.	$1,250/month	Less traffic, but farther from major employers. Good for someone who wants space and a truck-friendly driveway.

Commute Insight: Most plumbing jobs are in Johns Creek, Alpharetta, or Sandy Springs. Living in a central area like Medlock Bridge or Berkeley Lake minimizes drive time. Avoid living too far east (toward Buford) unless you’re primarily working in new construction developments there.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 6% is modest but stable. To significantly increase your income beyond the median, you need to specialize or move into management.

Specialty Premiums (These can add $10k-$25k to your salary):

• Gas Line Specialist: Critical for the many homes with gas cooking and heating. Requires additional certification.
• Backflow Prevention Tester: Annual certification is needed to test commercial irrigation and fire suppression systems. Many high-end properties and businesses require this.
• Medical Gas Piping: Work in hospitals and clinics (like North Fulton Hospital). Requires special training and certification.
• Service/Management: Transitioning from field work to a service manager or project manager role at a company like Plumb Perfect offers a salary jump and a more predictable schedule.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field to Office: Journeyman -> Master Plumber -> Service Manager -> Owner/Operator.
2. Niche Expert: Focus on a specialty (e.g., tankless water heaters, whole-home filtration) and become the go-to expert in the area, allowing you to charge premium rates.
3. Commercial Route: Move from residential to commercial work with larger contractors, which often pays more but requires different skills (blueprint reading, larger-scale systems).

10-Year Outlook: The fundamentals are strong. The housing stock in Johns Creek is aging, and new construction continues in the northern periphery. Plumbers who embrace modern technology (using apps for invoicing, GPS for routing) and maintain a professional reputation will thrive. The key will be staying licensed and insured, and perhaps building a small roster of loyal clients if you go independent.

The Verdict: Is Johns Creek Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average pay ($63,521 median) with stable demand.	High cost of living, especially for homeownership.
High-quality clientele willing to pay for skilled work.	Competition from established local companies and franchises.
Diverse job market (residential, commercial, municipal).	Traffic can be challenging, especially during rush hour on State Bridge Road.
Excellent quality of life with good schools, parks, and amenities.	Car-dependent city; you must have a reliable vehicle.
Proximity to Atlanta for broader opportunities and training.	Licensing requirement is a barrier to entry but protects the trade.

Final Recommendation:

Johns Creek is an excellent choice for a licensed plumber with 3+ years of experience who is seeking a stable market with a higher earning potential than many parts of the country. It’s ideal for someone who values a suburban lifestyle, has a clean driving record, and enjoys working with a relatively affluent clientele.

It’s not the best fit for an unlicensed apprentice just starting out (the cost of living is too high on a helper’s wage) or for someone seeking a low-cost, rural environment. If you are willing to get licensed, can manage the rent initially, and are proactive about networking with local companies, Johns Creek offers a solid path to a comfortable, middle-class career in the trades.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a truck to work as a plumber in Johns Creek?
A: Yes, absolutely. Most employers require you to have a reliable vehicle (often a truck or van) to carry tools and materials. Some companies provide a work vehicle, but many independent contractors use their own. Factoring in a vehicle payment and insurance is essential.

Q: How long is the typical work week?
A: It varies. Service plumbers often work 40-50 hours, including on-call rotations for emergencies. Commercial and new construction plumbers may have more regular schedules but can work longer hours during project crunch times. Overtime is common, especially during peak seasons (summer for AC condensate lines, winter for frozen pipes).

Q: Is the weather a problem for plumbing work in Johns Creek?
A: The climate is mostly mild, but you will face challenges. Summers are hot and humid (great for pipe expansion issues), and winters, while generally mild, can have occasional freezes that cause burst pipes. You need to be prepared for all seasons. The lack of a deep freeze is a plus compared to northern states.

Q: What’s the best way to find a job here?
A: Indeed and LinkedIn are good starting points. However, the most effective method is networking. Call local companies directly and ask if they’re hiring. Attend a meeting of the Georgia Plumbing Industry Association (GPIA) chapter in Atlanta. Many jobs in this trade are filled through word-of-mouth.

Q: Can I work for myself right away?
A: Legally, no. You must have a Master Plumber License to pull permits for your own work in Georgia. You can operate as a handyman for minor repairs without a license, but for any significant plumbing work, you need the proper credentials. The path to independence is: Apprentice -> Journeyman -> Master Plumber -> Business Owner.