Plumber in Milwaukee, WI

The Salary Picture: Where Milwaukee Stands

As a plumber considering Milwaukee, you’re looking at a market with solid fundamentals. The median salary for plumbers in Milwaukee is $62,494/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.05. This is slightly below the national average of $63,350/year, but don’t let that figure fool you. The cost of living in Milwaukee is your secret weapon.

Let’s break it down by experience level. These figures are estimates based on local job postings, union wage scales (Local 75), and industry data.

Experience Level	Milwaukee Salary Range (Annual)	Key Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$42,000 - $52,000	Typically as a helper or apprentice. Union apprenticeship starts around $20/hr. Non-union may vary.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$58,000 - $70,000	Licensed journeyman. This is where the median $62,494 sits. Your value skyrockets here.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Lead technician, project estimator, or specialized skills. Often includes overtime and bonuses.
Expert/Owner (15+ years)	$85,000 - $120,000+	Master plumber, business owner, or corporate manager. Top earners run their own shops.

Compared to other Wisconsin cities, Milwaukee is competitive:

• Madison (State Capitol): Salaries are often 5-10% higher (median ~$65K-$68K) due to state government and university demand, but housing costs are significantly steeper.
• Green Bay: Salaries trend 5% lower than Milwaukee, but the cost of living is also lower, offering a similar quality of life for single-income households.
• Appleton/Oshkosh: Similar to Green Bay in salary and cost, with a strong manufacturing base.

Insider Tip: The 6% 10-year job growth for Milwaukee's 1,122 plumbing jobs is crucial. It means stability and opportunity. With Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, plumbing is never a recession-proof industry here—it’s a necessity. The aging housing stock in Milwaukee’s historic neighborhoods (think 1920s-1950s bungalows in Bay View and Washington Heights) guarantees a steady stream of repair, repipe, and renovation work for decades.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. Earning the median salary of $62,494/year is about $5,207/month gross. After federal, state (Wisconsin's progressive tax), and FICA taxes, your take-home pay lands closer to $4,400/month (this is an estimate; use a Wisconsin-specific paycheck calculator for precision).

Milwaukee’s average 1BR rent is $979/month, and the city’s Cost of Living Index is 95.5 (US avg = 100). This is where you feel the benefit.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $62,494:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$4,400	After taxes.
Rent (1BR)	$979	22% of take-home. Very manageable.
Utilities (Gas/Electric/Water)	$180	Milwaukee winters are cold; heating costs are a factor.
Groceries	$350	A reasonable budget for one person.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Essential. Milwaukee is a car-dependent city.
Gas/Transportation	$150	Commuting from suburbs adds up.
Health Insurance	$200	Varies by employer (union plans are often better).
Miscellaneous/Leisure	$500	Dining out, entertainment, savings.
Total Expenses	$2,859
Remaining (Savings/Debt)	$1,541	Strong potential for savings or a mortgage payment.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Milwaukee County is around $250,000. With a $50,000 down payment (10%), your monthly mortgage (at current rates) would be roughly $1,400-$1,600. This is roughly 32% of your gross pay, which is within the standard "affordable" range. You can find fixer-uppers in neighborhoods like Silver City or parts of the North Side for under $200,000, allowing a journeyman plumber to build equity quickly. The low cost of living index is your biggest asset for homeownership here.

Where the Jobs Are: Milwaukee's Major Employers

Milwaukee’s plumbing job market is a mix of large commercial contractors, established residential companies, and specialized medical/industrial firms. The 1,122 jobs in the metro are concentrated in these areas.

1. R&R Mechanical (Commercial): A giant in the Milwaukee construction scene. They handle massive projects for the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Aurora Health Care facilities, and manufacturing plants. They hire in waves for large builds and offer steady service work.
2. Abacus Plumbing (Residential/Commercial): A well-known local company with a strong reputation for service and installation. They serve the entire metro area, from Wauwatosa to Franklin. They often hire for their service team, which provides consistent work.
3. Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Facilities: Not a direct plumbing employer, but a key hiring partner. MATC’s plumbing program feeds directly into local shops, and their own facilities team needs licensed plumbers for campus upkeep.
4. Aurora Health Care & Ascension Wisconsin: As major healthcare systems (Aurora’s flagship is St. Luke’s, Ascension’s is Columbia St. Mary’s), they require in-house licensed plumbers for sterile environments, medical gas lines, and general maintenance. These are stable, benefit-heavy jobs.
5. The City of Milwaukee (Department of Public Works): They hire licensed plumbers for municipal water main, sewer, and facility maintenance. It’s a union position (AFSCME) with excellent benefits and a pension. The hiring process is competitive but worth the effort.
6. Johnson Controls (Global HQ in Glendale): While known for HVAC, their large commercial projects often require full MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) teams, including senior plumbers for complex systems.
7. Local Union 75 (Plumbers & Pipefitters): The union hall is the central hub for commercial and industrial work. Apprenticeship programs are competitive, but journeyman scale is strong. They secure contracts for the Fiserv Forum, American Family Field, and ongoing infrastructure projects.

Hiring Trend: There’s a significant demand for plumbers who can work on retrofitting Milwaukee’s historic buildings for modern energy efficiency and on new commercial projects tied to the city’s ** lakefront development** and downtown revitalization. Medical gas certification is a premium skill.

Getting Licensed in WI

Wisconsin’s licensing is straightforward but requires dedication. The process is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

1. Apprenticeship (4 Years): You must complete a 5,840-hour apprenticeship under a licensed master plumber. This is typically a union program (Local 75) or a non-union program through a company. You’ll also need to complete 576 hours of classroom instruction.

   • Cost: Apprenticeship programs often have minimal tuition (sometimes covered by the employer or union). Expect costs for books, tools, and fees of $500-$1,500/year.
   • Timeline: 4 calendar years is the minimum.

2. Journeyman Plumber License: After your apprenticeship, you apply to take the Wisconsin Journeyman Plumber exam. It’s a comprehensive test on plumbing codes, theory, and practice.

   • Exam Fee: Approximately $150.
   • License Fee: Approximately $100, renewed every 2 years.
   • Timeline: Exam scheduling can take 1-2 months after applying.

3. Master Plumber License: Requires 5 years of full-time experience as a journeyman and passing the Master Plumber exam. This allows you to pull permits and run your own business.

   • Exam Fee: Approximately $200.
   • Timeline: 5+ years after becoming a journeyman.

Insider Tip: Union membership is not required, but it’s the fastest path to a structured apprenticeship with healthcare and pension benefits. Non-union shops may offer faster placement but with less standardized training. Milwaukee’s code is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with amendments.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute and your lifestyle. Milwaukee is a collection of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe and commute time to the job hubs (downtown, the Menomonee Valley, and the suburbs).

Neighborhood	Commute to Downtown	Vibe & Lifestyle	Average 1BR Rent
Bay View	10-15 mins	Walkable, trendy, full of young professionals and artists. Great bars, restaurants, and lake access. Strong handyman/renovation market.	$1,050 - $1,200
Wauwatosa (The 'Tosa)	15-20 mins	Family-oriented suburb with a charming "village" center. Excellent schools, older homes needing constant upkeep. Close to the Milwaukee County Research Park (tech jobs).	$1,000 - $1,150
Shorewood	12-18 mins	Upscale, walkable, with a strong sense of community. Homes are older (1900s-1920s), meaning frequent repairs. Great for service calls.	$1,100 - $1,250
Franklin	25-35 mins	A southern suburb with a mix of new developments and older neighborhoods. Close to major employers like Fiserv and Rockwell Automation. Quieter, more car-dependent.	$950 - $1,100
Riverwest	8-12 mins	Eclectic, artsy, and very central. Rents are still relatively low, but the area is changing quickly. Great for a single plumber who wants to be in the heart of the action.	$850 - $1,000

Insider Tip: If you’re starting out, Riverwest or Bay View offer lower rents and a central location to most job sites. If you have a family, Wauwatosa and Franklin are the go-to choices for space and schools. The commute from Franklin to the Menomonee Valley (a major industrial plaza) is easier than from the north side.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Milwaukee offers clear paths to advancement beyond the journeyman level.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Medical Gas Certification: Can add $3-$5/hour to your wage. Essential for work in hospitals (Aurora, Ascension) and clinics.
  • Backflow Prevention Testing: Requires a separate state certification. Allows you to test and certify backflow devices for commercial buildings—a steady, lucrative side service.
  • Pipefitting/Welding: Union plumbers (Local 75) often cross-train. Certified welders command a premium, especially for industrial and commercial projects.
  • ProPress/PEX Expertise: Mastering modern press-fit systems is in high demand for new construction and retrofit projects.

Advancement Paths:

1. Service Technician/Sales: Move from installation to troubleshooting and quoting repairs. Often includes commission, pushing earnings into the $70K-$85K range.
2. Project Manager/Estimator: Move off the tools entirely. You’ll bid jobs, manage timelines, and coordinate crews. Requires strong math and communication skills. Salary: $80K+.
3. Business Owner: The ultimate goal. Start a small service company. With Milwaukee’s dense housing and commercial base, a well-run shop can thrive. Top-earning owners clear $150,000+, but it involves risk, marketing, and management.

10-Year Outlook (6% Growth): The 6% growth is driven by retirements (an aging workforce) and new construction. The Fiserv Forum district, the lakefront development, and the ongoing replacement of lead service lines (a city-wide mandate) will create sustained demand. A plumber who adapts to green technologies (like water-efficient systems and hydrogen-ready boilers) will be in the best position.

The Verdict: Is Milwaukee Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordability: A median salary of $62,494 goes much further here than in coastal cities. Homeownership is attainable.	Winters: Long, cold, and snowy. You’ll work in unheated basements and deal with frozen pipes. It’s physically demanding.
Stable Market: 1,122 jobs and 6% growth indicate a healthy, non-boom/bust industry.	Car Dependency: You will need a reliable truck/van. City parking can be a headache in some neighborhoods.
Diverse Opportunities: From historic home repairs to medical gas systems to large commercial builds.	Union vs. Non-Union Divide: The market can be segmented. Understanding the landscape is key to finding the right fit.
Quality of Life: Great food scene, summer festivals (Summerfest!), vibrant sports culture (Bucks, Brewers), and access to nature.	Tax Burden: Wisconsin has higher income and property taxes, which can offset the low cost of living for homeowners.

Final Recommendation:
Milwaukee is an excellent choice for plumbers at all career stages. For entry-level plumbers, the low cost of living allows you to survive the apprenticeship years. For mid-career journeyman, the median salary provides a comfortable life with savings potential. For senior plumbers and owners, the diverse building stock and commercial growth offer real entrepreneurial opportunity. If you can handle the winters and the car-centric lifestyle, Milwaukee provides a balanced, prosperous career path in the plumbing trade.

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FAQs

1. How does the union (Local 75) affect my career?
Joining the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 75 gives you access to structured apprenticeship, higher commercial wages, healthcare, and a pension. The trade-off is union dues and working on unionized job sites. Many non-union residential plumbers do very well, especially in service and repair. It’s a personal choice based on your career goals.

2. What’s the job market like for non-licensed plumbers?
There’s a demand for helpers and laborers in construction and service. You can get started immediately, but you must be enrolled in an apprenticeship to work towards your license. Unlicensed work is restricted to helper tasks only. The path to a $62,494/year salary is through licensure.

3. Do I need to worry about lead pipes?
Yes, it’s a major part of the job. Milwaukee has thousands of lead service lines. The city is offering programs to replace them, and private homeowners need plumbers to do the work. Experience with lead abatement and working with the city’s Lead-Safe Milwaukee program is a significant asset.

4. How competitive is the apprenticeship for Local 75?
Very competitive. They look for a high school diploma or GED, algebra completion, a valid driver’s license, and a clean background. A pre-apprenticeship program (like at MATC) or experience as a helper can improve your chances. Persistence is key.

5. What’s the best strategy for finding a job as a new journeyman?
Start with the major employers listed above (R&R, Abacus). Also, check with the city’s Department of Public Works for stable municipal jobs. Network with instructors at MATC, and if you’re union, work the union hall. For non-union, Indeed and LinkedIn are active, but word-of-mouth in the trade is still king in Milwaukee.