Plumber in Longmont, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Longmont Stands

If you’re a plumber looking at Longmont, you’re probably wondering: Will my paycheck stretch as far as it does in Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins? The short answer is yes, and in some ways, it’s a financially smarter move.

First, the baseline numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for a plumber in Longmont is $63,330 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.45. This is incredibly close to the national average of $63,350/year, meaning Longmont offers competitive pay without the brutal cost of living found in larger metro areas.

The local job market is stable, with approximately 198 active plumbing jobs in the metro area. This isn’t a boomtown number, but it’s solid, consistent demand. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which aligns with national trends and is driven by the region's steady population growth, an aging housing stock, and new construction in the suburbs.

Here’s how that median salary translates to experience levels. These are estimates based on BLS data for "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" and adjusted for the local market.

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range (Longmont, CO)	Key Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$48,000 - $55,000	Apprentice rates, focused on residential service calls.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$60,000 - $72,000	Licensed Journeyman, handles complex residential/commercial.
Senior (8-15 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Master Plumber, crew lead, commercial/industrial work.
Expert/Specialist (15+ yrs)	$85,000+	Niche expertise (medical gas, industrial), business owner.

How does Longmont stack up against other Colorado cities? It’s a sweet spot.

• Denver: Median pay might be slightly higher (~$68,000), but rent and housing costs are 25-40% higher. The commute is also a major daily grind.
• Boulder: Salaries can be similar (~$65,000), but the cost of living is among the highest in the state. Rent for a 1BR averages over $1,800/month.
• Fort Collins: Very comparable to Longmont in pay and cost of living, but with a slightly heavier focus on university and biotech infrastructure work.

Insider Tip: The real earning potential in Longmont isn’t just the base salary. Many local companies offer on-call pay, overtime (especially in winter for frozen pipe emergencies), and commission-based pay for upselling services. A reliable journeyman can realistically clear $70,000+ in their first few years by taking on extra shifts and building a reputation for quality work.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally practical. You earn the median salary, but what does your monthly budget look like after Uncle Sam and a landlord get their share?

For a single filer earning $63,330/year in Colorado (assuming a standard deduction, no dependents, and including state (4.4%) and federal taxes), your take-home pay is approximately $4,100 - $4,250 per month. This is a post-tax estimate.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $63,330/year:

• Gross Monthly Income: $5,277
• Estimated Taxes & Deductions: $1,100 - $1,200
• Net (Take-Home) Pay: ~$4,100
• Average 1BR Rent in Longmont: $1,548
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transportation, Savings: ~$2,552

This leaves a healthy buffer for a single person. Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet) in a 1BR might run $200-$250/month. Groceries and a modest social budget could be another $500-$700. That still leaves roughly $1,600/month for a car payment, insurance, student loans, and—most importantly—savings.

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the critical question. The median home price in Longmont is around $500,000. With a $63,330 salary, your annual gross is about $5,360/month. A standard mortgage (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) would be roughly $2,800/month for a $500k home with 20% down—a massive 52% of your gross income. This is not advisable. However, if you combine incomes (e.g., with a partner) or save aggressively for a larger down payment, it becomes feasible. Many local tradespeople buy homes in the $350,000-$400,000 range, often smaller older houses or townhomes in neighborhoods like Southmoor or Sunset Heights.

Where the Jobs Are: Longmont's Major Employers

Longmont’s plumbing job market isn’t dominated by one giant company; it’s a mix of respected local firms, larger regional players, and niche specialty contractors. Here’s where to look:

1. J.M. Henderson Co.: A long-standing, family-owned commercial and industrial plumbing and mechanical contractor. They work on large projects like hospitals, schools, and data centers. They often hire journeyman and master plumbers with commercial experience. Hiring is steady, tied to the construction cycle.
2. D&J Plumbing & Heating: A prominent local residential and light commercial service company. They’re known for having a strong team and offer structured training. A great place to start if you’re new to the area or want to focus on service work. They actively hire apprentices and journeyman.
3. Allied Mechanical Services: Specializes in commercial HVAC and plumbing. They work on many of Longmont’s growing biotech and food manufacturing facilities. This is a path to more specialized, higher-paying industrial work.
4. The Home Depot (Longmont Store): While not a plumbing contractor, the plumbing department and the in-store installation services frequently hire licensed journeymen for supervisory roles and contract work. It’s a stable, corporate environment with benefits.
5. Longmont Hospital (BannerHealth): The hospital’s facilities department employs in-house plumbers for maintenance and repair. These are coveted positions with excellent benefits, regular hours, and a focus on medical gas and specialized systems.
6. City of Longmont (Public Works): The city maintains its own water and sewer infrastructure. They hire plumbers and operators for the municipal water department. These are union jobs with pensions, strong job security, and a focus on public utility work.
7. Local Construction Firms (e.g., GE Johnson, Haselden Construction): While not plumbing-specific, these large GCs frequently subcontract plumbing work but also sometimes hire in-house superintendents with plumbing backgrounds to oversee trades.

Hiring Trend: The market is favoring licensed journeyman and master plumbers. There’s a noticeable gap for experienced professionals who can work independently on service calls or lead a small crew. Residential new construction is steady, but the biggest growth is in commercial service and maintenance for the city’s expanding industrial and healthcare sectors.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado’s licensing is state-regulated, which is good for portability but requires specific steps. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) oversees this.

1. Apprenticeship: Complete a state-approved apprenticeship program (typically 4-5 years, 8,000 hours of on-the-job training + classroom instruction). This is the most common path. Local unions (UA Local 147) and non-union shops offer these.
2. Journeyman License: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the Colorado Journeyman Plumber exam (administered by PSI). You need to document your 8,000 hours.
3. Master Plumber License: Requires 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience (varies by application path) and passing the Master Plumber exam. This allows you to pull permits and run your own business.
4. Costs: Exam fees are around $100-$200 per test. Apprenticeship programs often have minimal tuition costs, especially union ones (you earn while you learn). Non-union programs may have some fees. Budget $500-$1,000 total for exams, application fees, and study materials.
5. Timeline: From starting an apprenticeship to becoming a licensed journeyman is typically 4-5 years. Becoming a Master Plumber takes an additional 2-4 years.

Insider Tip: Colorado has a Reciprocity Agreement with several states, including Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota. If you’re licensed in one of these, the process is faster. Always check the DORA website for the latest requirements.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Longmont is geographically large. Choosing a neighborhood impacts your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Here’s a plumber’s perspective:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Typical Rent (1BR)	Best For
Sunset Heights	Central, older, established. 10-15 min to most job sites. Walkable to downtown.	$1,200 - $1,400	Plumbers who want a central, affordable base. Close to everything.
Southmoor	Quiet, suburban, family-friendly. 15-20 min commute. Near parks and schools.	$1,400 - $1,600	Those valuing space and a quiet home after a physically demanding job.
Northmoor	More upscale, newer rentals and townhomes. 20-25 min to downtown.	$1,600 - $1,800	Mid-career professionals with higher budgets seeking modern amenities.
Old Town / Downtown	Historic, vibrant, walkable. Very close to jobs in commercial core.	$1,500 - $1,700	Young plumbers who want nightlife and zero commute. Parking can be tough.
Eastside / Industrial Area	Near the airport and industrial parks. 10-15 min to commercial job sites.	$1,300 - $1,500	Commercial plumbers who work in the eastern industrial corridor.
West Side	Near the foothills, more rural feel. 25-35 min commute to east side jobs.	$1,400 - $1,600	Outdoor enthusiasts who don’t mind a longer drive for a mountain view.

Insider Tip: If you work in commercial plumbing, living on the East Side or in Southmoor puts you closest to the industrial parks and new construction sites in the northeast corridor, saving you time and gas money.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Sticking with residential service work in Longmont is a steady living, but the real money and growth come from specialization and moving up.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Medical Gas Piping (ASSE 6010): Critical for hospital and clinic work. Plumbers with this certification can command $5-$10/hour more than standard journeymen.
  • Backflow Prevention: Many commercial and municipal jobs require certified testers. This is a high-demand, low-effort certification that adds recurring revenue.
  • Industrial Pipefitting: Working with high-pressure steam, process piping, or compressed air systems in manufacturing plants (like JBS or food processors) often pays 15-20% above standard residential rates.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Service Tech to Service Manager: At a company like D&J, you can move from the field to managing other technicians, handling dispatch, and managing customer accounts.
  2. Field to Estimator/Project Manager: With strong commercial experience, you can move into the office, bidding on projects for a contractor like J.M. Henderson.
  3. Employee to Business Owner: The path to owning your own small service company is very viable in Longmont. With a solid reputation and a few commercial contracts, you can build a lucrative business.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% job growth is reliable. The demand will be driven by:

  • Water Scarcity & Efficiency: Longmont is forward-thinking on water conservation. Plumbers skilled in greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, and high-efficiency fixtures will be in demand.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades: Aging water mains and sewer lines in older neighborhoods (like Sunset Heights) will need replacement, creating long-term municipal contracts.
  • Healthcare Expansion: As the population ages, facilities like Longmont Hospital and new clinics will require ongoing, specialized plumbing maintenance.

The Verdict: Is Longmont Right for You?

Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide.

Pros of Plumbing in Longmont	Cons of Plumbing in Longmont
Strong Pay vs. Cost of Living: The $63,330 median salary goes much further here than in Denver or Boulder.	Competition from Larger Cities: You may lose some high-end specialty jobs to contractors based in Denver.
Stable, Diverse Job Market: Mix of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal work.	Limited High-Rise/Complex Work: Fewer skyscrapers may limit exposure to the most complex plumbing systems.
Great Quality of Life: Easy access to outdoors, less traffic than the Front Range core, family-friendly.	Winter Weather: Frozen pipes are a major source of emergency work, but also a physical challenge.
Manageable Growth: 6% growth and 198 jobs means steady demand without the boom/bust cycles of pure construction towns.	Rent is Rising: While better than Denver, the $1,548 average 1BR rent is increasing, squeezing entry-level budgets.
Path to Ownership: A solid local market for starting your own small business.	Limited Union Presence: While UA Local 147 is active, the market is more non-union than Denver.

Final Recommendation:
Longmont is an excellent choice for plumbers at the mid-career level and those seeking a balanced lifestyle. If you’re a licensed journeyman with a few years of experience, you can land a job at $65,000-$70,000 and afford a comfortable apartment, start saving, and enjoy the city’s amenities. It’s less ideal for a fresh apprentice (who may find better training programs in larger cities) or an expert seeking only the most cutting-edge industrial work. For the majority of tradespeople looking for stability, fair pay, and a high quality of life, Longmont is a smart, data-driven move.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to know Spanish to work as a plumber in Longmont?
A: It’s not a requirement, but it’s a significant asset. Longmont has a large Spanish-speaking population. Being bilingual will make you more effective with customers, improve safety and communication on job sites, and often makes you a preferred candidate for companies serving diverse communities.

Q: What’s the winter work like?
A: It’s busy. Frozen pipes are a constant issue from November through March. This means reliable on-call pay and overtime. You’ll need a reliable truck and proper cold-weather gear. It’s physically demanding but financially rewarding.

Q: Is commuting to Denver or Boulder for better pay worth it?
A: Usually no. After factoring in 1-2 hours of daily commuting, higher fuel costs, and potential vehicle wear, the net gain is minimal. The $63,330 median in Longmont is competitive when you account for the lower cost of living. Your time and sanity are valuable.

Q: How do I find an apprenticeship in Longmont?
A: Contact the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 147 office in Denver (they cover Longmont) or check with the Front Range Community College in Westminster for pre-apprenticeship programs. Also, call local shops like D&J Plumbing directly and ask if they take on apprentices.

Q: What’s the licensing exam like? Is it open book?
A: The Colorado Journeyman exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice exam covering plumbing codes (based on the International Plumbing Code with CO amendments), math, and safety. It’s challenging. PSI provides a candidate information bulletin with a breakdown of topics. Plan to study for 2-3 months. Local trade schools often offer prep courses.