Here is a comprehensive career guide for Plumbers considering a move to Omaha, Nebraska.

---

The Plumbers' Guide to Omaha, NE: Salary, Jobs, and Lifestyle

Omaha isn't just the "Gateway to the West"; for a skilled plumber, it's a city of steady demand. With a booming healthcare sector, a historic housing stock, and corporate headquarters driving construction, the need for qualified tradespeople is constant. This guide cuts through the noise to give you a data-driven look at what your career looks like in the 402 area code.

The Salary Picture: Where Omaha Stands

When we talk about money, we need to be specific. The numbers provided are your baseline for the Omaha metro area. The key takeaway? Omaha pays competitively for the Midwest, but it sits slightly below the national average. This is offset by a lower cost of living, which we'll break down later.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for a plumber in Omaha is $61,924/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.77/hour. This is just under the national average of $63,350/year. However, with 966 jobs currently listed in the metro and a 10-year job growth of 6%, the market is stable and growing, not saturated.

Here’s how experience breaks down in the Omaha market. Keep in mind, these are estimates based on local job postings and union scale data.

Experience Level	Typical Hourly Rate	Estimated Annual Salary (Full-Time)
Entry-Level (Apprentice)	$18 - $22	$37,440 - $45,760
Mid-Level (Journeyman)	$25 - $32	$52,000 - $66,560
Senior (Master)	$35 - $45	$72,800 - $93,600
Expert (Owner/Consultant)	$50+	$104,000+

Local Insight: The jump from Journeyman to Master plumber is where the real money is. In Omaha, a Master Plumber can often command over $40/hour on commercial and industrial jobs, especially with specialized certifications in medical gas or backflow prevention.

Comparison to Other Nebraska Cities:

• Lincoln: Salaries are very similar to Omaha, often within a 2-3% range, with a slightly tighter housing market.
• Grand Island: Median pay is closer to $58,000/year, but the cost of living is significantly lower.
• Kearney: Similar to Grand Island, with a strong industrial demand that can push specialized roles higher.

Omaha’s advantage is the sheer volume of work. You can find a job in residential service, commercial new construction, or industrial maintenance—all within a 30-minute drive.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary is just a number until you see what’s left after the essentials. Let’s model a budget for a plumber earning the median salary of $61,924/year.

Assumptions: Single filer, taking the standard deduction, and paying for NE state income tax (varies by bracket, we'll use an estimate).

• Gross Monthly Pay: $5,160
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$1,150/month
• Net Monthly Pay (Take-Home): ~$4,010/month

Now, for housing. The average 1-bedroom rent in Omaha is $971/month. Let's look at two scenarios.

Scenario A: Renting

• Rent (1BR): $971
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): $250
• Renters Insurance: $20
• Car Payment/Insurance (Essential in Omaha): $350
• Groceries & Essentials: $400
• Remaining Monthly Discretionary Income: ~$2,019
• This is a healthy buffer for savings, entertainment, and unexpected expenses. You can live comfortably on this salary as a renter.

Scenario B: Buying a Home
Can you afford to buy? Let's see.

• Median Home Price in Omaha (2024): ~$315,000
• With 10% down ($31,500), you'd finance $283,500.
• Estimated Monthly Mortgage (at 7% interest): ~$1,887
• Property Taxes & Insurance: ~$550
• Total Housing Payment: ~$2,437
• This leaves you with ~$1,573/month for everything else (car, utilities, food, savings).

Insider Tip: This is tight, but doable, especially if you have a dual-income household. Many plumbers in Omaha target the $250,000 - $280,000 home range in the suburbs to keep payments more manageable. The cost of living index of 92.5 (US avg = 100) means your dollar goes further here than in most major US cities, making homeownership a realistic goal for a journeyman plumber within a few years.

Where the Jobs Are: Omaha's Major Employers

Omaha’s job market is diverse. You aren’t limited to a single industry. Here are the major employers and hiring trends:

1. Union 464 (Pipefitters & Plumbers): The local union hall is a hub for commercial and industrial work. They handle major projects at CHI Health Center Omaha, Eppley Airfield, and new corporate builds (like the recent Google data center in west Omaha). Hiring is tied to construction cycles, but the benefits package is top-tier.

2. Nebraska Medicine: One of the largest employers in the state. Their facilities, including the UNMC campus and the Bellevue Medical Center, require constant plumbing and medical gas system maintenance. These are stable, full-time positions with excellent benefits.

3. Benson Hospital (CHI Health): A major hospital in North Omaha. Healthcare facilities have 24/7 needs for licensed plumbers for facility maintenance.

4. Omaha Public Schools (OPS): With over 60 school buildings, OPS maintains a full-time facilities team. These jobs offer a government schedule, summers off (for maintenance), and a pension. It's a great option for work-life balance.

5. Kiewit Corporation: A global construction giant headquartered in Omaha. They hire plumbers and pipefitters for massive infrastructure projects (highways, bridges, power plants) both locally and across the U.S. Travel is often required, but pay and per diems are excellent.

6. Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD): While they focus on water distribution, they hire licensed plumbers for meter installation, maintenance, and customer service roles. These are incredibly stable jobs with great benefits.

7. Local Residential Service Companies: Companies like Pohlman Heating & Cooling, Heartland Heating & Cooling, and ServiceOne are always hiring for residential service plumbers. These roles emphasize customer service and sales, and commission can boost earnings significantly.

Hiring Trends: There's a high demand for Master Plumbers with commercial experience. The residential service sector is always hiring journeymen, but turnover is higher. The most stable positions are in healthcare and municipal work.

Getting Licensed in NE

Nebraska’s licensing is straightforward but requires apprenticeship hours. You cannot just take a test; you must prove your work experience.

Requirements (per Nebraska State Plumbing Board):

1. Apprenticeship: Complete a registered 4-year apprenticeship (8,000 hours on-the-job training).
2. Exam: Pass the Nebraska State Plumbing Journeyman exam.
3. Master License: Requires 5 years as a journeyman plus passing the Master Plumber exam.

Costs:

• Apprentice Registration: ~$50/year
• Journeyman Exam Fee: ~$150
• Master Exam Fee: ~$200
• License Fee: ~$100 (annual renewal)

Timeline:

• 0-4 Years: Registered Apprentice. You earn while you learn. Find a sponsor through the union or a local company.
• Year 4: Take and pass the Journeyman exam.
• Year 4-9: Work as a Journeyman, gaining experience toward your Master license.
• Year 9+: Eligible to take the Master Plumber exam.

Insider Tip: The Nebraska State Plumbing Board website is your best resource. Start your apprenticeship paperwork before you move. Having your hours documented from another state will help, but Nebraska requires its own process for verification. The timeline to get fully licensed in Nebraska from scratch is about 4-5 years.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live will dictate your commute and lifestyle. Omaha is a driving city, but traffic is manageable compared to other metros. Here are four neighborhoods that work well for plumbers:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Insider Tip
West Omaha (Millard, Elkhorn)	Suburban, family-friendly. 20-30 min commute to downtown/major employers.	$1,100	Where most plumbers buy homes. Great school districts. Commutes to the Eppley Airfield and industrial areas can be long during rush hour.
Midtown (Benson, Dundee)	Trendy, walkable, older homes. 10-15 min commute to downtown.	$950	Older housing stock means more service and repair work. A great place to live if you work for a local service company. Parking can be tough.
South Omaha (South of I-80)	Working-class, diverse, strong industrial base. 15-20 min commute to most areas.	$850	Close to major industrial parks and the South Omaha commercial corridor. A hub for commercial and industrial plumbing jobs.
North Omaha	Historic, community-focused. 15 min to downtown/NE Medicine.	$800	Home to Benson Hospital and Florence. More affordable rents, but the housing stock is older, meaning more repair opportunities.

Personal Insight: If your target is a union job with Kiewit or a large contractor, look in West Omaha or Papillion. For hospital work (Nebraska Medicine), Midtown or South Omaha offers the shortest commutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Omaha, your career growth isn't just about tenure; it's about specialization and licensing.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Medical Gas: A certified medical gas installer can earn $5-$10/hour more. Crucial for hospital and clinic work.
  • Backflow Prevention: Certification is in high demand for commercial/industrial sites and irrigation systems. Often leads to a side-business.
  • Water Heater/Drain Specialists: Many service companies offer commission or bonuses for technicians who specialize in specific equipment brands.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Apprentice → Journeyman: The first major pay jump.
  2. Journeyman → Master: The key to starting your own business or becoming a project foreman.
  3. Field to Office: Moving into estimating, project management, or sales for a large contractor.
  4. Business Owner: Omaha supports small trade businesses. A licensed Master Plumber can start a service company with relatively low overhead compared to larger cities.

• 10-Year Outlook (6% Growth): The 6% growth is solid. The drivers are an aging infrastructure (older Omaha homes) and continued commercial development (especially in healthcare and tech). The threat of automation is nearly zero for hands-on plumbing. The biggest challenge will be a shortage of new apprentices to replace retiring plumbers, which will likely push wages up over the next decade.

The Verdict: Is Omaha Right for You?

Omaha offers a stable, affordable path to a solid middle-class life as a plumber. It’s a city that values skilled trades, and the work is consistent. However, it’s not for everyone.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes further here.	Wages are Slightly Below National: The trade-off for lower costs.
Stable Job Market: Diverse employers (healthcare, agriculture, tech).	Car Dependent: You will need a reliable vehicle. Public transit is limited.
Manageable Commutes: No epic traffic jams.	Winters are Harsh: Frozen pipes are a major source of winter work, but it can be brutal.
Strong Union Presence: Great benefits and pay for union members.	Limited "Big City" Amenities: Fewer high-end dining/entertainment options.
Good for Families: Excellent public schools in suburbs.	Competitive Licensing: Requires a long apprenticeship, but that protects the trade.

Final Recommendation:
Omaha is an excellent choice for a plumber who is:

• A journeyman or master looking to buy a home.
• Seeking a balance between urban work and suburban living.
• Interested in a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional work.

If you're looking for the absolute highest wages regardless of cost of living, you might look to coastal cities. But for a sustainable, long-term career with a clear path to homeownership, Omaha, NE, is a top-tier contender.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be a Union plumber to find good work in Omaha?
No, but it helps. The union (UA Local 464) has a lock on the biggest commercial and industrial projects. However, there are dozens of non-union residential and commercial companies that pay competitively, especially if you're a motivated service technician who can earn commissions.

2. What's the winter work like?
Demand spikes. Frozen pipes, boiler issues, and water heater failures are constant from December to March. This is when plumbers often work the most overtime. Make sure you have the right gear (insulated coveralls, heated tools) and a reliable truck.

3. Is the cost of living really as low as advertised?
Yes, but it's rising. The 92.5 index is accurate, but rent and home prices in Omaha have increased over the last 5 years. It's still affordable compared to Denver, Kansas City, or Des Moines, but the days of $700 rents are mostly gone in the trendy areas.

4. How do I find an apprenticeship sponsor?
Contact the Nebraska State Plumbing Board for a list of registered apprenticeship programs. Also, walk into local plumbing supply houses (like Ferguson or WinSupply) and ask for advice; they know which companies are hiring apprentices. The union hall is also a primary source.

5. What's the best way to get my foot in the door?
If you're already licensed, apply directly to the major employers listed above. If you're moving to start an apprenticeship, get your paperwork with the Nebraska State Plumbing Board sorted before you arrive. Then, apply to both union and non-union shops. Being willing to start at the bottom and work hard will get you hired quickly.