Plumber in Laramie, WY

The Salary Picture: Where Laramie Stands

If you're a plumber thinking about Laramie, you're looking at a market that’s stable, affordable, and tied closely to the University of Wyoming (UW) and the energy sector. The local economy isn't booming like Denver, but it's resilient. For tradespeople, that often means consistent work without the extreme volatility of boom-and-bust towns.

Let's be direct about the numbers. The median salary for a plumber in Laramie is $61,601 per year, which breaks down to roughly $29.62 an hour on a standard full-time schedule. It’s important to understand this is the midpoint—half of all plumbers here earn more, and half earn less. This figure sits just under the national average of $63,350/year, but the trade-off is a significantly lower cost of living (more on that later).

The job market itself is modest but steady. There are approximately 63 plumbing jobs in the metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's positive and indicates a sustainable need. The work is driven by a mix of residential construction (UW student housing, family homes), commercial maintenance (the hospital, government buildings), and the service/repair side. You won’t find the endless high-rise projects of a major city, but you’ll find reliable, year-round work from leaky faucets in a student rental to boiler installations in a Cheyenne-based company’s Laramie office.

When you compare Laramie to other Wyoming cities, the picture gets interesting. Casper and Cheyenne have higher median salaries for plumbers (often in the mid-$60,000s) due to their larger populations and more industrial bases. However, those cities also have higher rents and a more competitive job market. Laramie offers a "sweet spot" for a plumber who values a quieter pace, easy access to outdoor recreation, and a lower financial barrier to entry (both in terms of living costs and the potential to buy a home).

Experience Level	Laramie Estimated Salary Range	Typical Jobs & Responsibilities
Entry-Level (1-3 years)	$45,000 - $52,000	Apprentice roles, drain cleaning, basic fixture installation, assisting in new construction rough-ins.
Mid-Level (4-8 years)	$58,000 - $68,000	Journeyperson-level work, managing service calls, rough-in and finish on residential projects, basic commercial work.
Senior-Level (9-15 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Lead on complex projects, commercial/industrial systems, mentoring apprentices, specialized repair work.
Expert/Owner (15+ years)	$90,000+	Business ownership, master plumber status, large-scale commercial contracting, consulting.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $61,601 sounds solid, but to understand the real lifestyle, you have to run the numbers. For a single person filing as Head of Household (a common filing status for a single, working adult), here’s a realistic monthly breakdown after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Wyoming’s state income tax (which is low, at 0%, but you still have to pay the federal portion).

Assumptions: Single filer, no dependents, standard deduction, using a standard tax estimator for 2023. This is an approximation, not financial advice.

• Gross Monthly Pay: $61,601 / 12 = $5,133
• Estimated Monthly Taxes (Federal + FICA): ~$1,100 (This is a conservative estimate; actual amount varies with deductions)
• Estimated Net Monthly Pay (Take-Home): $4,033

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber in Laramie:

• Average 1BR Rent: $917 (We'll use this as a baseline, but neighborhood varies)
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): $250
• Groceries: $350
• Car Payment/Insurance/ Gas: $500 (Laramie is car-dependent; gas is cheaper than the national average)
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered by employer): $300
• Discretionary/Personal: $716
• Total: $3,033

Surplus: This leaves a $1,000/month buffer for savings, student loans, hobbies, or occasional larger expenses. This is a healthy surplus for the area.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, absolutely. This is Laramie's biggest advantage. The median home price in Laramie hovers around $300,000. With a 10% down payment ($30,000), a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $1,700-$1,800/month. While this is significantly higher than the $917/month average rent, it's still manageable on a plumber's income, especially as a dual-income household. For a single person, it's tight but doable with careful budgeting and a few years of saving.

Where the Jobs Are: Laramie's Major Employers

The plumbing job market in Laramie is a mix of local businesses, national chains, and institutional employers. Hiring is steady, not frantic. You often need to know someone or have a solid reputation. Here’s who’s likely to have a van in their fleet.

1. A-1 Plumbing & Heating: A longstanding local company that handles a significant portion of residential and light commercial work in Laramie and the surrounding area. They’re often looking for journeymen and are known for training apprentices. Their work is visible in many of the older neighborhoods near downtown.
2. University of Wyoming (UW) Facilities & Planning: The university is the city's largest employer. Their in-house maintenance team employs plumbers for the massive campus, which includes dorms, laboratories (with complex piping needs), research facilities, and athletic venues. These jobs come with state benefits and are highly sought-after for their stability. Openings are posted on the UW HR website.
3. Ivinson Memorial Hospital: Another major institutional employer. Hospital plumbing requires precision—medical gas lines, specialized drainage, and 24/7 reliability. Their facilities team looks for plumbers with experience in commercial settings, especially those familiar with healthcare codes.
4. Laramie County Community College (LCCC): While the main campus is in Cheyenne, LCCC has a presence in Laramie. Their facilities and planned expansions create periodic contract work for local plumbing firms.
5. Mountain View Plumbing & Heating: A competitor to A-1, also a long-standing local business. They often work on new residential developments on the east side of town and service many of the commercial properties in the downtown core.
6. National Chains (Service Experts, etc.): Like any city, national HVAC/plumbing service chains have a presence. They often hire for their service technician roles, which can be a good entry point if you have an EPA certification and strong customer service skills. Pay can be competitive, but the work-life balance may vary.
7. City of Laramie Public Works: The city employs plumbers and operators for water/sewer infrastructure maintenance. These are civil service jobs with excellent benefits and pensions. You’ll need to pass a city exam and have relevant experience.

Hiring Trends: Hiring is most active in late spring and early summer, coinciding with the start of the construction season and UW's fiscal year. The best time to apply is March through May. Many jobs are filled through word-of-mouth—being active in the local trade community (like the Northeast Wyoming Building Trades Council) is an insider tip.

Getting Licensed in WY

Wyoming has a straightforward but strict licensing process. You cannot legally work as a plumber without proper certification, especially for anything beyond simple fixture replacement you might do as a homeowner.

The Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety (which oversees plumbing) requires licensing at two main levels:

1. Apprentice Plumber: You must be enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program (like those through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services or a local union). You can work under a licensed master plumber. There's no state test for apprentices.
2. Journeyman Plumber: After completing 4 years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job training and passing the Wyoming State Plumbing Board Exam, you become a journeyman. The exam is based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and includes a practical portion. Exam fees are typically around $200-$300.
3. Master Plumber: Requires at least 2 additional years as a journeyman and passing another exam. Most plumbers don't need this unless they plan to own a business or be a contractor.

Costs & Timeline:

• Apprenticeship: While you work, you earn. There may be tuition costs for the classroom portion of an apprenticeship program, but they are often subsidized or deducted from your paycheck over time. Expect to spend around $1,000-$2,000 for schooling over 4 years if not covered by an employer.
• Total Time: 4 years minimum to become a journeyman.
• Insider Tip: The Wyoming State Plumbing Board exam is notoriously detailed on local code nuances. Studying with a local study group or taking a prep course is highly recommended. The community college or the local trade union often hosts these.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Laramie’s neighborhoods are distinct, and choosing the right one affects your commute, social life, and rent. Most plumbing work is scattered across the city, but the highest density of residential calls is in the older neighborhoods.

1. Downtown/ Historic District:

   • Vibe: Walkable, historic homes, trendy restaurants, close to UW. The "hip" area.
   • Commute: Easy, but parking for a work van can be a challenge on narrow streets. You're central to most service calls.
   • Rent Estimate: A 1BR in a historic building: $1,000 - $1,300/month.
   • Best For: A single plumber who wants to be in the heart of the action and doesn't mind a smaller living space.

2. East Side (near Ivinson Ave & 15th St):

   • Vibe: Established, family-oriented, larger yards, quiet. Home to many UW faculty and professionals. Lots of 1950s-70s homes with aging plumbing systems—prime service call territory.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to anywhere in town. Easy access to US-30/287 for out-of-town calls.
   • Rent Estimate: 1BR/2BR in a duplex or small apartment: $900 - $1,150/month.
   • Best For: Plumbers who want a balance of quiet living and good access to work. This is a sweet spot for affordability and lifestyle.

3. West Side (near 22nd St & Grand Ave):

   • Vibe: More affordable, mix of older and newer homes, closer to big-box stores (Walmart, Home Depot). A practical choice.
   • Commute: Very easy. You're on the main arterial roads. A quick hop to the hospital or downtown.
   • Rent Estimate: 1BR apartments are readily available: $850 - $1,000/month.
   • Best For: A plumber who prioritizes a short commute to work and easy access to supplies. A no-frills, efficient choice.

4. South Laramie / Washington Park Area:

   • Vibe: Quiet, residential, near the Laramie River and parks. A bit further from the core but still within a 10-minute drive.
   • Commute: 15 minutes to downtown. Good for accessing the southern part of the county for service calls.
   • Rent Estimate: $800 - $950/month for a 1BR, often in older, well-kept buildings.
   • Best For: Someone who wants a bit more space and doesn't mind a short, predictable commute. Great for someone with a dog or who enjoys outdoor space.

Neighborhood Rent Summary Table:

Neighborhood	Vibe	Typical 1BR Rent	Best For
Downtown/ Historic	Walkable, urban, bustling	$1,000 - $1,300	The single social plumber
East Side	Family-friendly, established	$900 - $1,150	Balance of quiet & access
West Side	Practical, affordable, convenient	$850 - $1,000	The efficient commuter
South Laramie	Quiet, residential, scenic	$800 - $950	Space & a short commute

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Laramie, career growth for a plumber is less about climbing a corporate ladder and more about developing specialized expertise, expanding your service area, and possibly owning your own business. The 6% job growth over 10 years is modest, but it's reliable.

Specialty Premiums: To earn above the median ($61,601), you need to specialize.

• Gas Line Specialist: With the local natural gas infrastructure and many homes using gas for heat, this is a high-demand, high-skill area. You can command a 10-15% premium over a standard residential plumber. Certification is key.
• Commercial/Industrial Specialist: Working on systems for UW, the hospital, or local manufacturing (like the rail yard or USDA facilities) requires knowledge of medical gas, industrial water treatment, and large-scale boilers. This path leads to the $70,000 - $85,000+ range.
• Backflow Prevention Tester: Wyoming requires annual testing of backflow prevention devices for commercial properties. Getting certified to test can provide a steady stream of side-work or a specialized role with a company. This is a low-overhead, high-margin specialty.

Advancement Paths:

1. Lead Service Technician: Overseeing a crew, scheduling, and complex diagnostics. This is a natural step for a senior journeyman.
2. Project Manager/Estimator: For those in the commercial sector, moving into the office to bid jobs and manage projects is a common path.
3. Business Owner: The ultimate path. Laramie's small market means you'll compete, but with a reputation for quality, you can build a loyal customer base. Start with a service truck and a focus on residential repair; you can grow into residential and light commercial. The low start-up costs compared to major metros make this more attainable.

10-Year Outlook: The outlook is stable. The University will continue to be a major driver of work, both in maintenance and new construction. The energy sector (oil, gas, wind) will create periodic demand for commercial/industrial specialists. The aging housing stock in neighborhoods like East Laramie guarantees a steady need for repair and replacement work. A plumber who adapts to new technologies (e.g., PEX, tankless water heaters, smart home leak detection) will remain competitive.

The Verdict: Is Laramie Right for You?

This table breaks down the core trade-offs of being a plumber in Laramie.

Pros	Cons
Very Affordable Cost of Living: You can live well on a plumber's salary.	Limited Job Market: Only ~63 jobs. Fewer opportunities for career jumps.
Low Barrier to Homeownership: A $61k salary goes far here.	Isolated Location: 2.5 hours to Denver, 5.5 hours to Salt Lake City.
Stable, Recession-Resistant Demand: Tied to UW and local services.	Harsh Winters: Can slow outdoor work and affect service calls.
Outdoor Recreation Access: World-class hiking, skiing, climbing, fishing.	Small-Town Social Scene: Can feel limited if you're used to a city.
Tight-Knit Trade Community: Reputation matters and spreads fast.	Lower Ceiling (compared to metros): Top-end salaries are lower than in Denver or Seattle.

Final Recommendation:

Laramie is an excellent choice for a mid-career plumber who values work-life balance, affordability, and the outdoors. It’s ideal for someone ready to buy a home, raise a family, or simply enjoy a less hectic pace without sacrificing a professional career.

It is not the best choice for a young, single plumber who craves the anonymity and endless networking opportunities of a major city, or for a specialist looking to work on cutting-edge, high-rise projects.

The Verdict: If you can see yourself building a life around mountains and community, not tall buildings and traffic, Laramie offers a genuinely sustainable and rewarding career path for a plumber.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car in Laramie?
A: Yes, absolutely. The city is spread out, public transportation is limited (a small bus system, the "Snowy Mountain Express"), and you'll be driving to job sites, supply houses, and for personal errands. A reliable truck or van is a non-negotiable tool of the trade.

Q: What about winter work? Does it dry up?
A: Outdoor new construction slows from November to March, but it doesn't stop. Service and repair work continues year-round (frozen pipes are a major winter income source!). Commercial and institutional work (UW, hospital) moves indoors and is steady. Many plumbers use the slower winter months for continuing education, estimating, and planning for the