Plumber in Mandan, ND

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Plumbers considering a move to Mandan, North Dakota.

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The Salary Picture: Where Mandan Stands

Mandan’s plumbing market operates in the shadow of Bismarck, but it has its own distinct economy. The salary data reflects a strong Midwest market where skilled trades are in constant demand. The median salary for a plumber in Mandan is $61,373 per year, which breaks down to a $29.51 hourly rate. This places you slightly below the national average of $63,350, but that gap narrows significantly once you factor in the region’s lower cost of living.

The job market is tight but growing. There are approximately 48 plumbing jobs listed in the metro area at any given time, with a 10-year job growth projection of 6%. This isn't explosive growth, but it’s steady and reliable. In North Dakota, stability is often more valuable than volatility.

To understand where you fit into this salary landscape, here’s a breakdown based on experience levels common in the trade:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Estimated Hourly Rate	Notes for Mandan
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$45,000 - $52,000	$21.63 - $25.00	Often starts as an apprentice. Local unions (like UA Local 647) offer structured wage increases.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$58,000 - $68,000	$27.88 - $32.69	Where the median sits. Licensed journeyman plumbers are in high demand here.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	$33.65 - $40.87	Supervisory roles, complex commercial projects, and emergency service leads.
Expert/Owner (15+ years)	$90,000+	$43.27+	Business owners, master plumbers consulting on major regional projects.

Insider Tip: Union plumbers with UA Local 647 often have higher wage floors and better benefits packages than non-union shops, especially for larger commercial jobs in Bismarck. If you’re moving from a union state, this is a key detail to investigate.

When you compare Mandan to other North Dakota cities, the picture gets interesting:

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Real Wage Advantage
Mandan	$61,373	89.6	High
Fargo	$62,100	~95	Moderate
Bismarck	$61,800	~92	High
Grand Forks	$60,500	~90	High
Minot	$62,000	~93	Moderate

While Fargo and Minot might post slightly higher median salaries, Mandan’s cost of living index of 89.6 (meaning it’s 10.4% cheaper than the national average) makes your $61,373 go further. For a plumber with a family, this is a critical calculation.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to the monthly nuts and bolts. With a median salary of $61,373, you’re looking at a gross monthly income of about $5,114. After federal, state (ND has a flat 2.5% income tax), and FICA taxes, your take-home pay will be closer to $4,100 - $4,300 per month, depending on your withholding and benefits.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $61,373:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes for Mandan
Gross Income	$5,114	Based on median salary.
Estimated Taxes (Net)	~$950	Federal, ND state tax, FICA.
Take-Home Pay	~$4,164	This is your working number.
Rent (1-BR Apartment)	$806	Mandan average. Can be as low as $650 or as high as $1,100.
Utilities (Electric/Gas/Water)	$250	Varies by season; winters can be costly for heating.
Groceries	$400	ND has no sales tax on groceries, which helps.
Transportation (Gas/Ins./Maint.)	$350	A reliable vehicle is non-negotiable here.
Health Insurance (Employer Share)	$150	Varies by employer; union plans are often excellent.
Student Loans/Other Debt	$300	Adjust as needed.
Savings & Discretionary	$1,908	This is the key. Your disposable income after core expenses.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Absolutely. With nearly $1,900 in monthly surplus after all mandatory expenses, a plumber in Mandan is in an excellent position to save for a down payment. The median home price in Mandan is roughly $275,000. A 20% down payment is $55,000. With disciplined saving, that’s achievable in 2-3 years. This is a stark contrast to markets like Minneapolis or Denver, where buying a home on a single tradesperson’s income is often impossible.

Where the Jobs Are: Mandan's Major Employers

The plumbing market in Mandan is a blend of residential service, commercial construction, and institutional maintenance. You’ll find work in three main categories: residential contractors, commercial/industrial firms, and institutional facilities.

1. Mandan Municipal Utilities (MMU): This is a prime employer. MMU handles the city’s water and sewer infrastructure. They hire plumbers and pipefitters for maintenance and expansion projects. Jobs here are stable, come with excellent public-sector benefits, and are less seasonal than residential work.
2. Homeowners & Commercial Builders: The housing market in the Bismarck-Mandan metro is active. Companies like Rapid City Construction (with local crews), J.L. Nelson Construction, and numerous smaller boutique builders are constant sources of work for rough-in and finish plumbing. The Mandan Economic Development office tracks major subdivisions like the Sunrise Point and Signal Point areas, which are hotbeds for new residential plumbing work.
3. Hospitality & Healthcare: The Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck (a 5-minute drive from most of Mandan) is a massive, ongoing employer for commercial plumbers specializing in medical gas and high-pressure systems. Hotels along the I-94 corridor (like the Staybridge Suites or Holiday Inn) also require regular maintenance and renovation work.
4. Agricultural & Industrial: Mandan’s roots are in agriculture. Companies like Dakota Growers Pasta (now part of a larger conglomerate) and various grain elevators and ethanol plants in the region require industrial pipefitters for process piping and maintenance. This work often pays a premium over residential service.
5. Union Contractors (UA Local 647): While the local union hall is based in Bismarck, it covers the entire region. Signatory contractors like Allied Mechanical or Comfort Systems (formerly Anderson Heating & Cooling) handle large commercial projects in both cities. Getting on their books is a direct path to stable, high-paying work.

Hiring Trend: There’s a growing need for plumbers who are proficient in modern PEX systems, commercial copper work, and possess a valid driver’s license. The market is mature, so most hiring is done through word-of-mouth and union halls rather than online job boards.

Getting Licensed in ND

North Dakota has a clear, mandatory licensing system for plumbers, administered by the North Dakota State Board of Plumbing Examiners. You cannot work as a plumber without proper licensure.

Path to Licensure:

1. Apprenticeship (4-5 Years): You must complete a state-approved apprenticeship program. This typically involves 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction. You can start as a registered apprentice and work under a licensed master plumber.
2. Journeyman License: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the state journeyman plumbing exam. The exam is based on the International Plumbing Code (IPC) with North Dakota amendments. The exam fee is approximately $150.
3. Master Plumber License: To become a master plumber (which allows you to pull permits and run your own business), you need at least two years of experience as a journeyman and must pass the master plumber exam (another $150 fee).
4. Specialty Licenses: ND also offers licenses for irrigation, backflow prevention, and medical gas. Each requires additional testing and fees (typically $100-$200).

Timeline & Costs:

• Time to Journeyman: 4-5 years of apprenticeship + 1-2 months of exam prep and processing.
• Total Licensing Costs (Apprenticeship to Journeyman): If you go through a union apprenticeship, tuition is often covered by the union. Non-union apprentices may pay for school, which can range from $2,000 to $5,000 over the entire program. Exam fees are minimal.

Insider Tip: If you are already licensed in another state, ND has reciprocity with some states (like Minnesota and South Dakota). Contact the Board directly to see if you can challenge the exam or if you need to complete additional hours. This can save you years.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Living in Mandan means balancing commute time, convenience, and lifestyle. Most plumbing jobs are either in Mandan itself or a short drive into Bismarck. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1-BR Rent Estimate	Why It's Good for a Plumber
Sunrise Point / East Mandan	Newer, family-oriented subdivisions. 10-15 min to any job site in Mandan, 15-20 min to downtown Bismarck.	$900 - $1,100	Close to new construction sites. Quiet, safe, and modern.
Old Mandan (Historic District)	Older, charming homes with character. 5-10 min to downtown Mandan, 15 min to Bismarck.	$700 - $900	Affordable rent. You're often the go-to plumber for historic home renovations.
Southwest Mandan	Mix of older homes and new builds. Very close to I-94 for easy access to Bismarck.	$800 - $1,000	Prime location for service calls to the hospital, hotels, and commercial corridors.
Miller's Point / West Mandan	Established, middle-class area. 10 min to Mandan downtown, 20 min to Bismarck.	$750 - $950	Stable, reliable area with a mix of repair and new installation work.
Bismarck (Southside)	Technically a separate city, but many plumbers live here and commute to Mandan. 10-15 min to Mandan.	$950 - $1,200	More amenities, nightlife, and a larger housing stock. Trade-off is higher rent.

Personal Insight: For a plumber new to the area, renting in Old Mandan or Miller's Point is a smart financial move. You’ll save on rent and have a short commute to nearly every job site. Once established, moving to a newer subdivision like Sunrise Point is a natural next step.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook for plumbers in Mandan is stable, not explosive. The 6% job growth is tied to population growth and infrastructure maintenance. To accelerate your career and income, consider these paths:

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Medical Gas: Plumbers certified in medical gas piping for hospitals (like Sanford) can command $5-$10/hour premiums over standard commercial rates.
  • Backflow Prevention: Certified backflow testers are required by municipal code for many commercial properties. This is a lucrative side service.
  • Industrial Pipefitting: Working at power plants or ethanol facilities (e.g., near the Great Plains Synfuels Plant) often comes with higher pay and overtime opportunities.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Service Technician: Master residential diagnostics and customer service. This is a path to higher hourly rates and commission potential.
  2. Project Foreman: Move into a leadership role on commercial jobs. You’ll manage crews and budgets.
  3. Business Owner: With a Master Plumber license and a few years of experience, starting your own one- or two-truck operation is viable. The overhead is lower than in larger cities, and the local market is loyal.

10-Year Outlook: The core driver will be the replacement of aging infrastructure. Mandan’s water and sewer lines, many of which are decades old, will need systematic upgrades. This guarantees a steady stream of public works projects. Additionally, the push for energy efficiency will increase demand for plumbers skilled in hydronic heating and high-efficiency boiler systems.

The Verdict: Is Mandan Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High Disposable Income: Low cost of living means your $61,373 salary allows for a comfortable lifestyle and savings.	Harsh Winters: Outdoor work and emergency calls during -20°F winters are physically demanding and dangerous.
Stable Job Market: Steady growth and a tight labor market mean job security and bargaining power.	Limited Upside: Median salary is capped; you’ll need to specialize or own a business to exceed $90,000.
Strong Community: It's a small city where you build a reputation. Word-of-mouth is your best marketing.	Small-Town Feel: Limited entertainment and cultural diversity compared to larger metros.
Central Location: Easy access to the entire state of North Dakota for specialized or emergency work.	Dependent on Bismarck: Many higher-paying commercial jobs are in Bismarck, requiring a short commute.

Final Recommendation:
Mandan is an excellent choice for a plumber who values stability, homeownership, and a predictable, high-quality of life. It’s ideal for journeyman plumbers looking to settle down, start a family, and build equity. It’s less ideal for those seeking a fast-paced, high-salary trajectory in a major metropolis. If you can handle the winters and prefer a community-oriented career over a corporate one, Mandan offers one of the best cost-of-living-to-income ratios for tradespeople in the United States.

FAQs

1. Do I need my own truck and tools to find work in Mandan?
For a journeyman position with a contractor, they will typically provide the service vehicle and major tools (power tools, pipe wrenches, etc.). You are expected to provide your own basic hand tools (wrenches, tape measure, etc.). If you plan to work as an independent contractor or for a very small shop, having your own truck may be a requirement.

2. How does the winter weather affect plumbing work?
It significantly increases demand for emergency calls (frozen pipes, busted lines) but can halt outdoor excavation work. You’ll need a reliable 4WD vehicle and winter gear. The upside is that emergency calls often come with premium pay rates.

3. Is there a union presence?
Yes. Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 647 is active in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Union wages and benefits are generally higher than non-union shops, but getting in requires an apprenticeship. Contact their hall in Bismarck for application details.

4. Can I do side work (residential repairs) legally?
In North Dakota, any plumbing work that requires a permit (which includes most installations and repairs) must be done by a licensed plumber. You cannot legally perform side work without a journeyman or master license. Insurance is also a major consideration.

5. What’s the best way to get started if I’m moving from out of state?
First, contact the North Dakota State Board of Plumbing Examiners to check reciprocity and licensure requirements. Then, contact UA Local 647 and major local contractors like Comfort Systems or Mandan Municipal Utilities to inquire about job openings. Finally, secure housing in a central neighborhood like Old Mandan to minimize your initial commute while you learn the area.