The Complete Career Guide for Plumbers in Shawnee, KS

As a career analyst who has mapped out the professional landscape of Kansas for over a decade, I can tell you that Shawnee is a unique proposition. It sits at the crossroads of the Kansas City metro, offering a blend of small-town affordability and big-city opportunity. For a plumber, this translates into stable demand, a reasonable cost of living, and a clear path to a comfortable middle-class life. This isn't a boomtown like some spots in Texas or Florida; it's a steady, reliable market for skilled tradespeople who understand the local building codes and the rhythm of the seasons. Let's break down exactly what a plumbing career looks like here.

The Salary Picture: Where Shawnee Stands

Plumbing is a trade where your earnings are directly tied to your licensure, experience, and willingness to work overtime. Shawnee’s salaries are competitive for the Midwest, sitting slightly below the national average but significantly bolstered by a lower cost of living. The key data point is the median salary of $62,076/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.84/hour. This median figure is crucial because it represents the midpoint—about half of all plumbers in the Shawnee area earn more, and half earn less. The national average for plumbers is $63,350/year, meaning Shawnee's market is marginally softer than the U.S. as a whole, but the difference is negligible when you factor in local expenses.

The job market itself is modest but stable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local state data, there are approximately 138 plumbing jobs (including apprentices, journeymen, and masters) in the Shawnee metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which mirrors the national trend. This growth is driven by new construction in Johnson County, the need to replace aging infrastructure in older neighborhoods, and the increasing complexity of modern plumbing systems (think tankless water heaters and smart home integration).

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can expect to earn at different career stages in Shawnee:

Experience Level	Typical Responsibilities	Estimated Annual Salary (Shawnee, KS)	Key Differentiators
Entry-Level Apprentice	Assisting journeymen, basic trenching, tool prep, material handling.	$40,000 - $52,000	Unlicensed; pay is hourly; significant on-the-job training required.
Mid-Level Journeyman	Independent service calls, installations, minor repairs. Licensed to work unsupervised.	$55,000 - $70,000	This is where the median salary sits. Pay is often a mix of hourly and commission on parts.
Senior Lead Technician	Complex diagnostics, commercial work, mentoring apprentices.	$70,000 - $85,000	Often includes a company vehicle, higher commission rates, and leadership roles.
Expert / Master Plumber	Business ownership, large-scale commercial bids, code compliance, teaching.	$85,000 - $120,000+	Revenue is tied to business profit, multi-crew management, and high-value contracts.

Insider Tip: The salary range for a journeyman can swing wildly based on the employer. A plumber working for a large, non-unionized commercial contractor might have a higher base but less overtime. A service tech at a reputable residential company often earns more through on-call pay and commission on parts sold. Always ask about the pay structure during interviews.

Compared to other Kansas cities, Shawnee holds its own. It’s more affordable than the Kansas City, Missouri side, and landing a job in Shawnee gives you access to the larger KC metro job market (a 30-minute commute can open up more union opportunities or specialized commercial firms). It’s more lucrative than smaller regional cities like Topeka or Wichita for residential service plumbers due to the higher median income of homeowners in Johnson County.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be brutally honest about the numbers. The median salary of $62,076/year is a gross figure. To understand your real purchasing power in Shawnee, we need to do the math.

First, taxes. For a single filer in 2024, federal and state (Kansas) income taxes, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and local taxes will take approximately 22-25% of your gross income. For simplicity, let's use a 24% effective tax rate.

Annual Gross: $62,076
Estimated Annual Taxes (24%): $14,898
Annual Take-Home Pay: $47,178
Monthly Take-Home Pay: ~$3,931

Now, let's factor in the cost of living. The average 1BR rent in Shawnee is $731/month. The Cost of Living Index is 93.3 (US avg = 100), meaning Shawnee is about 6.7% cheaper than the national average.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a plumber earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Housing (1BR Rent)	$731	This is for an apartment or small rental house.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)	$200	Kansas winters can mean higher heating bills.
Groceries	$400	For a single person.
Car Payment/Insurance/Gas	$500	Essential in Shawnee; public transport is limited.
Health Insurance (if not fully covered)	$250	Varies widely by employer.
Miscellaneous (Food out, entertainment, savings)	$700	This is where you have flexibility.
Total Monthly Expenses	$2,781
Monthly Remainder	$1,150	This is your buffer for savings, debt, or a home down payment.

Can you afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With a monthly remainder of $1,150, you are in a strong position to save for a down payment. The median home price in Shawnee is approximately $325,000. A 10% down payment is $32,500. At this savings rate, you could save that amount in under three years. A 20% down payment ($65,000) would take just over five years. Plumbers with journeyman licenses are viewed as stable, high-earning borrowers by lenders, which can help with mortgage approval.

Insider Tip: Many plumbers here partner with a local credit union like Meritrust or First Federal for mortgages. They understand the trade's income structure (which can include overtime and bonus fluctuations) better than big national banks.

Where the Jobs Are: Shawnee's Major Employers

Shawnee’s plumbing job market is a mix of residential service companies, commercial contractors that service the entire KC metro, and a few large employers with in-house maintenance teams. The demand is consistent, but the type of work varies significantly.

Here are the key places to look for work:

1. H&E Equipment Services (Commercial): While known for heavy equipment, they have a significant industrial plumbing and facilities maintenance division. They serve the construction and industrial sectors around Shawnee and Kansas City. Hiring trends: Steady, with a focus on experienced journeymen for industrial and commercial sites.
2. Johnson County Government (Public Institutions): The county maintains its own facilities, including the Johnson County Courthouse, health department buildings, and parks. They have an in-house maintenance crew that hires licensed plumbers for stable, government-sector work. Hiring trends: Slow but stable; openings are posted on the Johnson County website and are highly competitive due to benefits.
3. Shawnee Mission Medical Center (Now AdventHealth Shawnee Mission): As one of the largest employers in Johnson County, the hospital has a constant need for its own facilities team to manage the complex plumbing and medical gas systems. Hiring trends: They prefer candidates with commercial experience and a clean background check. Positions are listed under "Facilities" or "Plant Operations."
4. Large Residential Service Companies (e.g., Buckner, D&Z, Lennox): These regional powerhouses have a constant pipeline of service techs and installers. They operate in Shawnee and the broader KC area. Hiring trends: High volume. They often hire from trade schools and offer apprenticeship programs. Expect a fast-paced, commission-driven environment.
5. Commercial Construction Contractors (e.g., McCownGordon, JE Dunn): These are massive firms that bid on large commercial projects (office buildings, schools, hospitals) throughout the metro. They hire plumbing subcontractors or have their own MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) divisions. Hiring trends: Project-based hiring. You need to network to get on their radar. They value union affiliations (U.A. Local 83) and commercial experience.
6. Local Plumbing & HVAC Companies (e.g., Core Mechanical, Pinnacle Mechanical): These are the backbone of the local trade. They handle residential and light commercial work. Hiring trends: They value loyalty and skill. A referral from a current employee is the best way in. They often train apprentices from the ground up.
7. University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) & KU Edwards Campus: While in neighboring Overland Park and Kansas City, KS, these institutions are major employers that hire plumbers for their facilities teams. The KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park is a 15-minute drive from Shawnee and has growing infrastructure needs.

Insider Tip: The best jobs are often not advertised on Indeed. Join the local chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) or attend a meeting of the United Association Local 83 (the plumbers and pipefitters union). The union hall in Kansas City, KS, is a hub for apprenticeship applications and job dispatch for commercial and industrial work.

Getting Licensed in KS

Kansas has a clear, regulated path to licensure, which is managed by the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSTPB). You cannot legally perform plumbing work for hire without the appropriate license.

The Pathway:

1. Apprentice: Register with the KSTPB. Requires a high school diploma or GED and a letter from an employer/union. No exam. You must log 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed plumber.
2. Journeyman Plumber: After completing your apprenticeship hours, you must apply to the KSTPB, provide proof of hours, and pass the National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC) exam. This is the license that lets you work independently.
3. Master Plumber: Requires at least two years as a licensed journeyman and an additional 4,000 hours of experience. You must pass a more complex exam covering business and law, as well as advanced plumbing codes. This license is required to pull permits for your own business.

Costs and Timeline:

• Apprenticeship Training: Typically 4-5 years. Tuition for trade school programs (e.g., at Kansas City Kansas Community College) is roughly $2,500 - $4,000 total, often reimbursed by employers.
• Exam Fees (Journeyman/Master): The exam fee is approximately $150 - $200 per attempt.
• Licensing Fees: The initial journeyman license fee is around $150, with annual renewal fees of $100.
• Total Estimated Investment (to Journeyman): $3,000 - $5,000 over 4-5 years, which is often offset by apprentice wages.

Timeline to Get Started: If you start today, you can be a registered apprentice within a month. You will likely be a licensed journeyman in 4-5 years. This is a regulated, predictable timeline.

Insider Tip: The Kansas State Board of Technical Professions website is your single source of truth for application forms and code updates. Bookmark it. The exam is based on the National Standard Plumbing Code, which is very similar to the International Plumbing Code (IPC) used in many states. Study guides are available online, and local trade schools often offer prep courses.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Shawnee affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Shawnee is not a dense city; it's a collection of suburban neighborhoods with distinct characters.

1. Old Shawnee Town (74th & Nieman Road):

   • Commute: Excellent. You can reach most job sites in Shawnee within 10-15 minutes. 20-30 minutes to downtown KC.
   • Lifestyle: Historic, charming, walkable. Quaint main street with local shops and restaurants. Feels like a small town.
   • Rent Estimate: $800 - $950/month for a 1BR. Slightly pricier due to charm and location.
   • Best For: Plumbers who value character and a short commute over modern amenities.

2. Shawnee Mission Parkway / West 65th Area:

   • Commute: Central. Easy access to I-435 and Merriam Lane. Great for reaching commercial jobs in Merriam or Overland Park.
   • Lifestyle: Established suburban neighborhoods, mix of older ranches and new builds. Close to Shawnee Mission Park and shopping centers.
   • Rent Estimate: $700 - $850/month for a 1BR. Good value, solid stock of apartments.
   • Best For: The practical plumber who wants a central location with easy highway access.

3. Mill Creek / Lexington Avenue Area:

   • Commute: Good. Slightly farther north, but direct routes to 67th Street Highway and I-435.
   • Lifestyle: Newer, master-planned communities with parks, trails, and newer amenities. More family-oriented.
   • Rent Estimate: $750 - $900/month for a 1BR. Newer construction commands a slight premium.
   • Best For: Plumbers who are starting families or want modern apartment amenities and green spaces.

4. Renaissance Park / South Shawnee:

   • Commute: Can be longer, as it's farther from the main arteries. 20+ minutes to downtown KC.
   • Lifestyle: Very quiet, suburban feel. Larger lots, more single-family homes. Feels more rural.
   • Rent Estimate: $650 - $800/month for a 1BR. One of the more affordable areas.
   • Best For: Plumbers who prioritize space, quiet, and lower rent over a quick commute.

Insider Tip: When looking for rentals, check the "Shawnee Mission Post" classifieds or local Facebook groups. Many landlords in Shawnee are small-scale and don't list on Zillow, offering potentially lower rent and more flexible terms.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumbing career in Shawnee isn't a dead-end job; it's a ladder. The 6% growth projection means more jobs, but the real advancement comes from specialization and business acumen.

• Specialty Premiums: General service plumbers earn the median. Specializing can add a significant premium.

  • Medical Gas: Plumbers certified to work on medical gas systems in hospitals (like AdventHealth) can earn 15-20% more than general journeymen.
  • Backflow Prevention: Certification to test and install backflow preventers (required for many commercial properties) leads to lucrative contract work.
  • Gas Line Expertise: With the rise of natural gas appliances and grills, certified gas fitters are in constant demand for new installations and repairs.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Foreman -> Project Manager: Move from hands-on work to overseeing crews and budgets for commercial contractors.
  2. Service Tech -> Service Manager: Manage a team of techs, scheduling, and inventory for a residential company.
  3. Journeyman -> Business Owner: The ultimate goal. With a Master Plumber license, you can start your own company. Shawnee’s growing population and aging housing stock create a perpetual market for a trustworthy local plumber.

• 10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong. The 6% growth will be filled by a combination of new apprentices and journeymen moving in from other states. The key differentiator in 10 years will be technology. Plumbers who are comfortable with digital service software, leak detection tools, and video pipe inspection will be more valuable. The trade is becoming less about brute force and more about diagnostic skills. The retirements of the Baby Boomer generation of plumbers will create a significant leadership vacuum, opening doors for those who have planned their career progression.

The Verdict: Is Shawnee Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living: Your $62,076 median salary goes much further here than in coastal cities. You can afford a home.	Smaller Job Market: Only 138 jobs locally. You may need to commute to KC for the highest-paying commercial roles.
Stable Demand: 6% job growth and a mix of residential and commercial work provide consistent opportunity.	Weather Challenges: Kansas winters are harsh. Outdoor work can be brutal, and frozen pipes are a major winter service driver.
Access to Larger Metro: You live in Shawnee but can tap into the massive Kansas City job market (30-min commute).	Union Presence: The U.A. Local 83 is strong in KC. Non-union shops are plentiful, but union jobs offer better long-term benefits.
Path to Business Ownership: The licensing process is clear, and the local market