Plumber in Roswell, NM

The Salary Picture: Where Roswell Stands

As a plumber in Roswell, you're looking at a solid middle-of-the-road earnings potential that's comfortable for the local cost of living. The median salary of $62,114/year puts you slightly below the national average of $63,350/year, but don't let that number fool you. When you factor in Roswell's significantly lower living costs, your purchasing power is actually stronger here than in many parts of the country. The $29.86/hour rate is a realistic starting point for experienced journeyman plumbers, while entry-level apprentices typically begin around $18-22/hour.

Here's how experience breaks down in the local market:

Experience Level	Typical Hourly Rate	Annual Salary Range	Key Employers for This Level
Entry-Level (Apprentice)	$18-22	$37,440 - $45,760	R&L Plumbing, local service companies
Mid-Level (Journeyman)	$25-32	$52,000 - $66,560	Roswell Mechanical, commercial contractors
Senior (Master Plumber)	$35-45	$72,800 - $93,600	Mountain View Plumbing, hospital facilities
Expert (Specialist)	$40-50+	$83,200 - $104,000+	Oil/gas service companies, specialty contractors

Compared to other New Mexico cities, Roswell offers a unique balance. Albuquerque's plumbers might earn slightly more (median around $65,000), but face higher living costs. Las Cruces is comparable, while Santa Fe's median jumps to nearly $70,000 but with significantly higher rents (often $1,200+ for a 1BR). Southern New Mexico's smaller cities like Hobbs or Carlsbad offer similar pay but with more boom-and-bust economies tied to oil. Roswell's stable military and agricultural base provides more consistent year-round work.

Insider Tip: The 6% job growth over 10 years translates to about 5-6 new positions annually in the metro area. While not explosive growth, it's steady. The real opportunity here isn't in the number of jobs, but in the types of jobs. With the Air Force base and aging infrastructure, there's consistent demand for both residential service work and commercial/industrial plumbing.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about what a plumber earning the Roswell median actually takes home. After federal taxes, FICA, and New Mexico's state taxes (which start at 1.7% and go up to 5.9%), a single plumber earning $62,114/year takes home approximately $4,100-4,300/month (depending on deductions). This is where Roswell's affordability becomes immediately apparent.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $62,114/year:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$4,250	After taxes, 401k contribution
Rent (1BR average)	$935	22% of take-home - very manageable
Utilities (electric, gas, water)	$180	Higher in summer due to AC
Car Payment & Insurance	$400	Roswell is car-dependent
Groceries & Household	$400	Rite Aid, Walmart, Albertsons are main stores
Health Insurance	$250	If not covered by employer
Tool & Work Expenses	$200	Ongoing maintenance, PPE, van/truck costs
Entertainment/Dining	$300	Roswell's food scene is modest but growing
Savings/Emergency Fund	$585	14% of take-home - solid for long-term

The standout number here is rent at $935/month, which consumes only about 22% of take-home pay—well below the recommended 30% threshold. This leaves significant breathing room that simply doesn't exist in markets like Denver or Phoenix.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Roswell is around $220,000. With your take-home pay and a modest down payment, a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely be $1,200-1,400—still under 35% of your take-home. Many local plumbers I've spoken with own homes within 2-3 years of arriving. The key is having a down payment (typically $15,000-20,000), which is achievable with disciplined saving given Roswell's low cost of living.

Insider Tip: Roswell's water utility is surprisingly affordable, often under $50/month for residential customers. As a plumber, you'll notice the city's water quality is decent—less mineral buildup than in places like Carlsbad. This means fewer service calls for water softener issues, which is good for your efficiency but could mean slightly less revenue from those specific repair jobs.

Where the Jobs Are: Roswell's Major Employers

Roswell's plumbing job market is dominated by a mix of local residential companies, commercial contractors, and institutional facilities. Here are the key players:

1. Mountain View Plumbing & Heating (20+ employees)

• Main employer for residential service work
• Handles many of the older homes in the North Park and Sunset neighborhoods
• Known for steady work and good benefits
• Hiring trend: Consistent, typically 2-3 positions open annually

2. Roswell Mechanical (30+ employees)

• Focuses on commercial and industrial projects
• Major contractor for the Air Force base facilities (Walker Air Park)
• Hiring trend: Project-based hiring, often after major contracts are awarded

3. R&L Plumbing (10-15 employees)

• Smaller, family-owned residential company
• Strong presence in the South Main corridor
• Often hires apprentices with no experience
• Hiring trend: Growth hiring as the owner prepares for retirement

4. Chaves County Hospital Facilities Team

• In-house maintenance for Eastern New Mexico Medical Center (ENMMC)
• Excellent benefits and job security
• Hiring trend: Infrequent but highly competitive when openings occur

5. Roswell Independent School District Maintenance

• Maintains 20+ schools across the district
• Union position with pension benefits
• Hiring trend: Occasional openings, usually in spring/summer

6. Oil/Gas Service Companies (e.g., Baker Hughes, Halliburton field offices)

• Industrial plumbing work for oil fields in the surrounding Chaves County
• Higher pay but more variable hours
• Hiring trend: Tied to oil prices, can be boom-or-bust

7. Self-Employment/Small Business

• Many experienced plumbers eventually go independent
• Roswell's size makes word-of-mouth marketing effective
• Hiring trend: Not applicable, but opportunity is there

Insider Tip: The Air Force base (Walker Air Park) is actually a major employer for plumbers, though it's not obvious. The base's facilities management, which is contracted out, constantly needs licensed plumbers for both routine maintenance and special projects. Getting on the rotation here pays premium rates ($40-50/hour) because of security clearance requirements.

Getting Licensed in NM

New Mexico's licensing process is straightforward but has specific requirements. The state uses a tiered system: Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumber.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Apprentice License (No experience required)

   • Cost: $25 application fee
   • Must be employed under a licensed master plumber
   • No exam required
   • Timeline: Can start immediately upon hiring

2. Journeyman License (4 years experience required)

   • Requires 8,000 hours of supervised work
   • Must pass state exam (open book, 80% passing score)
   • Cost: $150 exam fee + $100 license fee
   • Timeline: 4 years minimum (can be accelerated with overtime)
   • Exam tip: Focus on NM plumbing code, which differs slightly from UPC. The state uses the "New Mexico Plumbing Code" based on the International Plumbing Code.

3. Master Plumber License

   • Requires 5 years as journeyman OR 8 years total experience
   • Must pass master's exam (more complex, includes business law)
   • Cost: $200 exam fee + $150 license fee
   • Timeline: 5-8 years total from start

Total Timeline to Master: 5-8 years if you start as an apprentice with no experience.

Insider Tip: Roswell's community college, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (ENMU-R), occasionally offers plumbing apprenticeship programs in partnership with local contractors. Check with their continuing education department. Also, the New Mexico Plumbers & Fitters Union Local 412 has a training center in Albuquerque, but Roswell contractors often sponsor apprentices directly.

Key Resource: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (www.rld.nm.gov). All applications and forms are available online.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Roswell's neighborhoods offer different lifestyles and commute times. For plumbers who often need to travel to job sites, location matters.

1. North Park

• Rent estimate: $850-950/month for a 1BR
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to most job sites
• Lifestyle: Established, quiet neighborhood with older homes (often plumbing work)
• Why here: Central location, good for quick service calls
• Insider tip: Many of the full-grown trees here mean more root intrusion calls—steady work if you're self-employed

2. Sunset

• Rent estimate: $900-1,100/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to commercial areas
• Lifestyle: Slightly upscale, mix of older and newer homes
• Why here: Proximity to ENMMC and good schools if you have a family
• Plumber insight: Newer construction means less emergency calls but more new installs

3. South Main Corridor

• Rent estimate: $750-850/month
• Commute: 5-12 minutes
• Lifestyle: Affordable, diverse, walkable to downtown
• Why here: Lower rent means more money for tools or savings
• Insider tip: Older residential stock (pre-1970) means more pipe replacement work—good for building experience

4. East Main/Oak Street Area

• Rent estimate: $800-900/month
• Commute: 10-20 minutes
• Lifestyle: Working-class, strong community
• Why here: More house-flipping activity means renovation plumbing opportunities
• Plumber insight: Many homeowners here DIY, which often leads to botched jobs requiring professional correction

5. Military Hill (near Walker Air Park)

• Rent estimate: $950-1,100/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to base, 5-10 minutes to other areas
• Lifestyle: Suburban feel, good for families
• Why here: Proximity to base work (if you get cleared)
• Insider tip: Base contractors often prefer hiring locals who already live nearby for emergency calls

Commute Note: Roswell is a driving city. Even the "far" neighborhoods are only 15-20 minutes from the city center. Traffic is minimal compared to larger cities, so commute time is rarely an issue for plumbers.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Roswell's plumbing career trajectory isn't about rapid salary spikes but about building stability and eventually specialization.

Specialty Premiums:

• Commercial/Industrial: +20-30% over residential rates
• Medical Gas: +15-25% (requires additional certification)
• Backflow Prevention: +10-15% (frequent testing required for businesses)
• Oil/Gas Field Plumbing: +30-50% but less stable
• Emergency Service: Higher hourly but inconsistent work

Advancement Paths:

1. Traditional: Apprentice → Journeyman (4 years) → Master (1-4 more years) → Business Owner
2. Commercial Route: Focus on Air Force base or hospital contracts → Project Manager
3. Specialization: Get certified in medical gas or backflow → Consultancy
4. Self-Employment: Most common path after 5-10 years experience

10-Year Outlook (6% growth):

• Year 1-3: Establish yourself, get journeyman license
• Year 4-6: Consider master license, specialize
• Year 7-10: Either run your own crew or become a high-paid specialist
• Market trends: Aging infrastructure in Roswell's older neighborhoods (especially North Park and South Main) means pipe replacement will be a growing market. The Air Force base's facilities are also getting older, requiring upgrades.

Insider Tip: The most successful long-term plumbers in Roswell are those who build relationships with real estate agents and property managers. Much of the work comes from referrals rather than advertising. Consider joining the Roswell Chamber of Commerce ($150/year) for networking.

The Verdict: Is Roswell Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Cost of living 6.5% below national average	Limited specialty work compared to larger metros
Stable job market with diverse employers	Lower ceiling for top earnings (hard to exceed $100k)
Short commutes, minimal traffic	Fewer industry events/training opportunities locally
Strong homeownership possibilities	Air Force base work requires security clearance
Predictable seasons (less emergency work in winter)	Limited nightlife/culture for younger workers
Tight-knit business community	Oil/gas sector can be boom-bust

Final Recommendation: Roswell is an excellent choice for plumbers who value stability and quality of life over maximum earning potential. It's particularly good for:

• Early-career plumbers who can live cheaply while building experience
• Mid-career plumbers looking to buy a home and establish a client base
• Experienced plumbers considering starting their own business with lower overhead

It's less ideal for:

• Specialists seeking cutting-edge technical work
• Those chasing the absolute highest salaries
• Younger professionals wanting big-city amenities

Roswell rewards humility and relationship-building. The plumber who knows every neighborhood, every inspector, and every homeowner on a first-name basis will thrive here. The numbers support the move: with $62,114/year and $935/month rent, you can build a comfortable, stable life while doing essential work that the community depends on.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to go from apprentice to journeyman in Roswell?
A: The state requires 8,000 hours (4 years full-time). In practice, Roswell's steady demand means you can get there in 4 years without delays. Some contractors offer overtime, which can accelerate this to 3.5 years.

Q: Is there a union presence in Roswell?
A: The Plumbers & Fitters Local 412 covers all of New Mexico, but Roswell has limited union work. Of the 95 plumbing jobs in the metro area, maybe 10-15 are union. Most work is non-union, which means more flexibility but fewer benefits.

Q: What's the winter workload like?
A: Roswell's mild winters (average 30-40°F) mean fewer frozen pipe calls than in Albuquerque or Santa Fe. However, the occasional cold snap can bring emergency work. Mostly, winter is steady maintenance and installation work.

Q: Can I get a job with just a CDL?
A: A Commercial Driver's License helps if you're running a service truck, but it's not required. More important is your plumbing license. Some companies prefer drivers for their service vehicles, but you'll need plumbing credentials first.

Q: How competitive is the market for new arrivals?
A: Moderately competitive. The 95 jobs in the metro area aren't huge, but Roswell's size means personal reputation matters quickly. New plumbers with solid references and a willingness to work hard can establish themselves within 6-12 months. The key is starting with residential service companies that always need reliable hands.