Plumber in Spokane Valley, WA

As a career analyst who’s spent more time than I’d like to admit under sinks in Spokane Valley, I can tell you this isn’t just another mid-sized city. It’s a unique blend of suburban sprawl, older housing stock, and a booming commercial corridor that keeps plumbers busier than a one-legged man in a kicking contest. If you're considering a move here, let's cut through the fluff and look at the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the real-world logistics of making a living with a wrench in your hand.

The Salary Picture: Where Spokane Valley Stands

First, the hard numbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and state-level data, the plumbing trade in Spokane Valley is stable but not extravagant. The median salary is $63,540/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.55/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $63,350/year, which is a good sign—it means the local market values the trade competitively. However, it's crucial to understand that this median number blends everyone from the brand-new apprentice to the master plumber running their own crew. Your actual take-home depends heavily on experience, specialization, and whether you're on a union job, commercial site, or residential service call.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect at different career stages in the Spokane Valley area:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Work Focus
Entry-Level / Apprentice	0-2	$42,000 - $52,000	New construction rough-ins, assisting journeymen, basic service calls
Mid-Level / Journeyman	3-8	$60,000 - $75,000	Full service calls, installations, commercial projects, troubleshooting
Senior / Lead Technician	8-15	$75,000 - $95,000	Complex diagnostics, project management, mentoring apprentices
Expert / Master / Owner	15+	$100,000+	Business ownership, specialty systems (medical gas, industrial), consulting

Compared to other Washington cities, Spokane Valley is a middle-ground option. Seattle and Bellevue will offer higher wages (often 15-20% more), but the cost of living is drastically higher. Tacoma and Vancouver offer similar wages but with less consistent work in the commercial sector. Spokane Valley’s strength is its stable housing market and steady demand from both the residential side (aging homes in the Valley proper) and the commercial side (the booming health and retail sectors).

Insider Tip: The figure of 216 jobs in the metro (per BLS data) might seem low, but it’s a misleading number. That’s the number of new positions expected over a period. The actual number of working plumbers is far higher, and the turnover is low. Most companies I talk to are perpetually short on qualified journeyman plumbers, especially those with commercial experience or backflow certification.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $63,540 salary sounds solid, but let’s do the math on what it means for your monthly budget in Spokane Valley. We’ll assume a single filer with no dependents, claiming the standard deduction, and accounting for FICA (7.65%). State income tax in Washington is 0%, which is a massive advantage.

Estimated Monthly Take-Home for a $63,540 Salary:

• Gross Monthly: $5,295
• Federal Tax (est.): -$420
• FICA (7.65%): -$405
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$4,470

Now, factor in rent. The average 1BR rent is $1,666/month. This is your largest fixed cost. Let’s build a sample monthly budget for a plumber earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$1,666	Higher end is near Spokane Community College, lower end in older complexes.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)	$250	Varies by season; heating costs spike in winter.
Vehicle Payment & Insurance	$450	Essential in Spokane Valley; no real public transit to job sites.
Groceries & Household	$400	Shopping at Safeway or Rosauers; no state income tax helps.
Fuel	$180	Commutes to outlying job sites (e.g., Liberty Lake, Airway Heights) add up.
Health Insurance (if not covered)	$350	Varies widely by employer. Many union and larger companies offer good plans.
Discretionary / Savings	$1,174	This is your cushion for tools, savings, retirement, and entertainment.

Can they afford to buy a home? It’s a tight fit. The median home price in Spokane Valley is roughly $400,000-$425,000. A 20% down payment is $80,000+. On a $63,540 salary, a lender would likely approve a mortgage of around $250,000-$280,000. This means buying a single-family home in Spokane Valley itself is challenging on a single median-income budget. However, it’s not impossible. Many plumbers I know buy in neighboring areas like Medical Lake, Airway Heights, or even north Spokane where prices are slightly lower. The key is having a dual-income household or moving up to the "Senior" salary tier.

Where the Jobs Are: Spokane Valley's Major Employers

The job market here is a mix of residential service companies, commercial mechanical contractors, and a few unique niches. The "Inland Empire" construction boom (covering Spokane, Post Falls, and Coeur d'Alene) means there's always work, but you need to know where to look.

1. L.C. Smith / Heartland Plumbing: A major regional player with a strong presence in Spokane Valley. They specialize in both residential new construction and commercial service. They’re known for investing in training and are a common first stop for journeymen looking for stability.
2. Glacier Plumbing: Another significant commercial and residential contractor. They handle large-scale projects, including healthcare facilities and schools. Hiring trends here favor plumbers with medical gas or commercial backflow experience.
3. Spokane Valley City Government: While they don’t hire plumbers directly for construction, the city’s public works department and facilities management team employ maintenance plumbers. These are gold-standard government jobs with excellent benefits and pensions, but openings are rare and competitive.
4. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center: While not a plumbing contractor, this major hospital (and its associated clinics) has an in-house facilities team that employs licensed plumbers for ongoing maintenance and renovation projects. It’s a stable, salaried position with fantastic benefits.
5. Walmart Distribution Center (Spokane Valley): The massive logistics hub on the eastern edge of the valley requires constant plumbing maintenance for its warehouse, offices, and employee facilities. They often contract with local firms, but also hire in-house maintenance staff.
6. Local 598 UA (United Association) Plumbers & Pipefitters: The union hall is a critical hub. It’s not an "employer" per se, but it’s the dispatch center for all unionized commercial and industrial work in the region. Getting on their books is the path to the highest-paying, most stable commercial projects.
7. Residential Service Companies (e.g., R&R Plumbing, Hurliman Heating & Plumbing): These are the backbone of the residential market. They’re always hiring for service technicians. The work is steady, but it’s often on-call and requires strong customer service skills.

Hiring Trend Insight: There's a growing demand for plumbers with cross-training in HVAC or electrical basics, as more companies push for "technicians" who can handle multiple systems. The commercial side is seeing a surge due to healthcare expansions (Providence and Kaiser Permanente are growing) and data center construction in the region.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington state has a clear but strict licensing path. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and the Washington State Plumbing & Pipefitting Board are your governing bodies. You cannot legally work as a plumber without the proper credentials.

Requirements & Costs:

1. Apprenticeship: You must be enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program (like the one run by Local 598 or a non-union program). This is a 4-year, 8,000-hour program with classroom hours.
   • Cost: Apprentices pay for their own books and tuition, which can run $1,500 - $2,500 total over four years. Many employers, especially union shops, will reimburse these costs.
2. Journeyman Plumber Exam: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the state exam. The exam fee is $250.
3. Master Plumber License: To open your own business or pull permits, you need a Master Plumber license. This requires at least two years of experience as a journeyman, passing an exam, and demonstrating business knowledge. Exam fee: $300.
4. Specialty Endorsements: Consider adding:
   • Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester: A one-day course and exam, fee ~$350. This is a huge money-maker for service plumbers.
   • Medical Gas Piping Certification: A multi-day course and exam, fee ~$600-$800. Essential for commercial and healthcare work.

Timeline to Get Started: If you start an apprenticeship today, you’re looking at 4 years to become a journeyman. However, you can start earning as an apprentice immediately (starting around $20-$22/hour). From apprentice to a licensed, marketable journeyman with a few years of experience is a 5-6 year path to hitting the median salary.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute, costs, and lifestyle. Spokane Valley isn't a typical "neighborhood" city; it's a long, narrow strip along the Spokane River. Traffic is generally lighter than Seattle, but the I-90 corridor can get backed up.

Neighborhood	Vibe / Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It’s Good for Plumbers
Central Spokane Valley (Sprague Ave Corridor)	The heart of the action. Older homes, dense retail. Easy access to I-90.	$1,550 - $1,750	Central to most service calls. You can bike to parts of it. The "Main Street" of the valley.
Liberty Lake (East Edge)	More affluent, newer homes, clean. Feels more like a suburb. Commute into the Valley is against traffic.	$1,700 - $1,900	Proximity to high-end residential and commercial jobs in Liberty Lake itself. Quieter, safer.
North Spokane Valley (Trent & Argonne)	Mix of older homes and newer subdivisions. Close to the Spokane River.	$1,450 - $1,650	Good access to both Spokane Valley and north-side commercial areas. More affordable rent.
South Spokane Valley (4th Ave & Pines)	Family-oriented, with good schools. More suburban feel.	$1,500 - $1,700	Close to major shopping centers and newer residential developments. Steady service call area.

Insider Tip: If you’re looking to buy a home in the future, the Trentwood or Veradale areas offer a good balance of slightly older (cheaper) homes and decent commutes. Avoid the immediate Sprague Ave strip for residential living if you value quiet—the traffic and noise are constant.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year projected job growth for plumbers nationally is 6%, which is about average. In Spokane Valley, the outlook is slightly better due to two factors: an aging workforce (many journeymen are nearing retirement) and sustained construction in healthcare, education, and logistics.

Pathways to Growth:

• Specialty Premiums: As mentioned, medical gas and backflow testing can add 10-20% to your hourly rate. Industrial pipefitting (steam systems, hydronic heating) is another high-paying niche.
• Management: Moving from a journeyman to a project manager or service manager can push your salary into the $80k-$90k range.
• Business Ownership: The ultimate goal for many. With a Master Plumber license, you can start your own shop. In a market this size, a well-run residential service company can be very profitable, but it comes with the stress of marketing, payroll, and liability.

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong. The biggest risk is economic downturns that slow new construction. However, the repair and maintenance side of plumbing is recession-resistant—people will always need hot water and functional toilets. The plumbers who survive and thrive are the ones who build a reputation for reliability and who keep learning new technologies (PEX, tankless water heaters, smart home water shutoff systems).

The Verdict: Is Spokane Valley Right for You?

Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market: Consistent demand from both residential and commercial sectors.	Seasonal Work Lull: The deep winter (Jan-Feb) can see a slowdown in new construction.
Affordable vs. Seattle: Median salary can actually go further here than in major coastal WA cities.	Rent Pressure: While lower than Seattle, rent is rising and can eat up 30-40% of a median income.
No State Income Tax: Your paycheck is bigger, period.	Car Dependency: You need a reliable truck or van. Public transit is not a viable option for work.
Diverse Work: From fixing a vintage bungalow in the Valley to installing systems in a new data center.	Wage Ceiling: Top-end salaries are lower than in major metros. The path to $100k+ is narrower.
Good Work-Life Balance: Once you're off the clock, you have access to lakes, hiking, and a low-stress lifestyle.	Licensing Costs & Time: The apprenticeship is a significant investment of time and money upfront.

Final Recommendation: Spokane Valley is an excellent choice for a plumber who values stability, a reasonable cost of living, and a balanced lifestyle. It's particularly well-suited for:

• Journeymen looking for a change from a high-cost city who want to buy a home in the near future.
• Apprentices who want a clear, union-backed path to licensure in a market with steady work.
• Specialists in commercial or healthcare plumbing who can leverage the growing medical sector.

It is not the ideal spot if your primary goal is to hit the absolute top of the salary range at all costs (Seattle is better), or if you need a bustling, 24/7 urban environment (the Valley shuts down early). But for a hardworking plumber who wants a solid career and a place to put down roots, Spokane Valley is a pragmatic and rewarding bet.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be in a union to find good work here?
No, but it helps, especially for commercial/industrial work. Non-union shops offer plenty of residential and small commercial jobs, often with a slightly higher starting wage but less in benefits and pension. The union (Local 598) provides top-tier benefits, training, and pension, but you might pay higher dues. It’s a trade-off.

2. What’s the deal with the winter weather? Does it affect the work?
Yes, but not in the way you might think. The freeze-thaw cycle is a plumber’s best friend—it causes pipe bursts and creates a surge of emergency service calls in January and February. The slowdown is in new construction. Experienced plumbers budget for this lull.

3. I have a license from another state. How do I get licensed in WA?
Washington has reciprocity with some states, but not all. You’ll likely need to apply for a "trainee" or "journeyman" license and may be required to pass the Washington state exam. Contact the Washington State Plumbing & Pipefitting Board directly to get your specific requirements. Don’t assume your out-of-state license transfers.

4. Is it easy to find an apprenticeship program in the area?
There are a few pathways. The most prominent is the Spokane Valley/North Idaho JATC (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee), which is union-affiliated. There are also non-union programs through community colleges (like the Community Colleges of Spokane) and direct employer-sponsored apprenticeships. Competition can be fierce for the union program, so having a clean driving record and any prior construction experience helps.

5. How does the commute to nearby areas like Post Falls, ID or Coeur d'Alene, ID affect a plumber's life?
Many Spokane Valley plumbers work across the state line in Idaho. The commute on I-90 is easy (20-30 minutes to Post Falls). However, you must be licensed in Idaho as well, which requires a separate license and exam. It's common for experienced plumbers to hold dual licenses to double their job market. The pay is comparable, but Idaho has a state income tax, so factor that in.