Plumber in Spokane, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Spokane Stands

If you're a plumber looking at Spokane, the numbers tell a straightforward story. The median salary for plumbers in the Spokane-Spokane Valley metro area is $63,540/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.55/hour. This is essentially on par with the national average of $63,350/year, a good sign that the local market values the trade at a standard competitive rate.

But the real story is in the experience curve. Like most skilled trades, your earning potential accelerates dramatically with time on the tools. Here’s how it typically breaks down in the Spokane market:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary (Spokane)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$42,000 - $50,000	Assisting senior plumbers, trenching, basic fixture installs, learning code.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$55,000 - $70,000	Leading small jobs, troubleshooting complex systems, customer interaction.
Senior	8-15 years	$72,000 - $85,000+	Project management, training apprentices, specialized system design.
Expert	15+ years	$85,000 - $100,000+	Business owner, master plumber, consultant on large commercial projects.

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior is where you'll see the biggest pay bump in Spokane. Companies will pay a premium for plumbers who can fully manage a crew and handle complex commercial projects without supervision.

How Spokane Compares to Other WA Cities:
Spokane offers a solid middle ground. It’s not the high-cost, high-wage hub of Seattle, but it’s more robust than smaller, rural markets. Seattle metro plumbers often see median salaries closer to $85,000+, but the cost of living there is exponentially higher. Spokane provides a balance where your wage can stretch further. For example, our cost of living index is 101.0 (just 1% above the US average of 100), while Seattle’s is over 150. This makes Spokane an attractive option for tradespeople looking for a decent salary without the financial pressure of a major coastal city.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about what that $63,540 median salary means for your day-to-day life in Spokane. We’ll make some standard assumptions for a single filer (no dependents) using conservative estimates for taxes (federal + state + FICA ~22-25%) and the local housing market.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $63,540 (Median Salary):

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$5,295
Take-Home Pay (after ~24% taxes)	$4,025	This is a rough estimate; actual withholdings vary.
Average 1BR Rent	$1,012	The city-wide average. Can be higher in trendy areas, lower in others.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)	$250	Spokane has relatively low energy costs.
Groceries	$400	For one person, shopping at local chains.
Transportation (Gas, Insurance, Maint.)	$350	Assumes a personal vehicle; Spokane is car-dependent.
Health Insurance (Employer Plan)	$200	Premiums vary widely; this is a common contribution.
Retirement/ Savings (10-15%)	$400 - $600	Crucial for trade careers to build a nest egg.
Discretionary Spending	$813 - $1,013	Left for entertainment, dining, hobbies, etc.

Can a Plumber Afford to Buy a Home in Spokane?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of Spokane’s biggest advantages for skilled tradespeople. While the median home price in Spokane has risen (currently around $360,000), it remains far more accessible than in Seattle (median ~$750,000+).

With a $63,540 salary, a plumber can comfortably qualify for a mortgage on a starter home or a modest condo. A common rule of thumb is that your monthly housing payment (mortgage, taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28-30% of your gross income. For you, that's about $1,480 - $1,590 per month.

A 30-year mortgage on a $300,000 home with a 20% down payment ($60,000) would result in a monthly payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) of approximately $1,400-$1,500, depending on the exact interest rate and property taxes. This is right in your affordable range. Many local lenders and programs (like state housing finance programs) also have special options for first-time homebuyers and tradespeople.

Insider Tip: Many union shops in Spokane (like Local 44) offer pension and annuity plans. If you get into a union position, factor that retirement benefit into your long-term financial planning—it can reduce the amount you need to save personally.

Where the Jobs Are: Spokane's Major Employers

The Spokane metro area supports 458 plumbing jobs, a stable number for a city of its size. The market is a mix of large commercial contractors, mid-sized residential firms, and specialized service companies. Here are the key players you should know:

1. Garco Construction: A major general contractor based in Spokane. They handle large-scale commercial projects (hospitals, schools, data centers). Hiring plumbers as part of their mechanical subcontractor teams. They tend to hire for project-based work, which is great for gaining diverse experience.
2. Spokane County: The county government is a significant employer for public works plumbers. They maintain water treatment facilities, sewer systems, and public buildings. Jobs are stable, with good benefits, but hiring can be slower and more competitive.
3. Kaiser Permanente / Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center: These major healthcare systems require 24/7 in-house maintenance teams. Plumbers here maintain critical medical gas systems, sterile water supplies, and high-pressure boilers. These are highly specialized, well-paid roles with excellent benefits and job security.
4. Local Union 44 (United Association): The UA Local 44 represents plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC techs in the Spokane area. They are the primary source for journeyman and apprentice positions on large-scale commercial and industrial projects. Being a member provides access to top-tier wages, benefits, and pension plans. The union hall is a hub for job placement.
5. Pioneer Plumbing, Heating & Cooling: A large, well-established residential and light commercial service company. They are consistently hiring for service technicians and install crews. Great for plumbers who enjoy customer interaction and troubleshooting.
6. Kaiser Aluminum: Located in nearby Trentwood, this is a major industrial manufacturer. They employ in-house pipefitters and plumbers to maintain complex process piping for aluminum production. This is industrial work, often requiring specific safety certifications.
7. The City of Spokane: Similar to the county, the city employs plumbers for its water and wastewater departments. These are civil service jobs with strong unions, pensions, and public sector benefits.

Hiring Trends: There's a steady demand for both service/repair plumbers (for the aging housing stock in Spokane's older neighborhoods) and construction plumbers for the ongoing commercial and multi-family residential development in the South Hill and University District areas.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has a clear, regulated path for plumbers. You cannot work independently without the proper license. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) oversees this through the Plumbing and Pipefitter Industry Training Committee.

The Path to Licensure:

1. Registered Plumber Apprentice: You can start working immediately as an apprentice under a certified master or journeyman plumber. You must be enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program. The most common is through Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 44.

   • Cost: Apprenticeship tuition varies but is often low-cost or covered by the employer/union. You'll pay for tools and books (~$500-$1,000 initially).
   • Timeline: 4-5 years (8,000 hours of on-the-job training + 432 hours of classroom instruction).

2. Journeyman Plumber: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the Washington State Journeyman Plumber exam.

   • Cost: Exam fee is approximately $150. L&I license fee is ~$240/year.
   • Timeline: You can take the exam once you meet the 8,000-hour requirement.

3. Specialty Certifications: For specific work like gas piping (which is common in residential homes), you'll need an additional certification from a recognized gas training program.

Insider Tip: The Spokane market highly values union-trained plumbers due to the rigorous training standards. If you're moving from another state, check with the Washington State Plumbing Board for reciprocity agreements. You may be able to take the journeyman exam with proof of equivalent experience, though hours can be tricky to transfer.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and housing costs. For a plumber, proximity to job sites (often commercial corridors) and access to major highways (I-90, US 2, US 395) is key.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It's Good for Plumbers
South Hill	Established, family-friendly, great schools. Commute to downtown/commercial areas is ~15-20 mins.	$1,100 - $1,300	Central location. Easy access to I-90 for work across the metro. Many older homes here mean steady service/repair work.
Spokane Valley	Suburban, car-centric, more affordable housing. Commute to most job sites is 10-25 mins.	$950 - $1,150	The heart of residential plumbing work. Close to major shopping centers and new developments. Lower rent than city center.
North Spokane / Five Mile	Quiet, residential, with a mix of older and newer homes. Commute to downtown is ~15 mins.	$900 - $1,100	Good access to US 2 and I-90. Affordable rents. Growing area with new construction, offering install opportunities.
Downtown / Riverfront	Urban, walkable, trendy. Commute to job sites is minimal if you work downtown, but adds time for suburbs.	$1,200 - $1,500+	Best for service plumbers covering downtown businesses and high-rise condos. High-density living means more plumbing systems per block.
Liberty Lake	Upscale suburb, excellent schools, very safe. Commute to Spokane Valley is 10-15 mins; to downtown ~25 mins.	$1,200 - $1,400	High-end residential market. Homeowners here invest in quality plumbing work (e.g., tankless water heaters, smart systems).

Insider Tip: Many plumbers choose to live in Spokane Valley or North Spokane for the lower rent and easier commutes to the suburban job hubs. The South Hill is a popular long-term choice for those starting families.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth outlook for plumbers in the Spokane metro area is 6%, which is steady and reliable. This growth is driven by several factors: the need to replace aging infrastructure (both residential and municipal), ongoing commercial development, and the retirement of the older, baby boomer generation of plumbers.

Specialty Premiums & Advancement Paths:

• Medical Gas Piping: Plumbers certified to install and maintain medical gas systems in hospitals (like Sacred Heart or Kootenai Health) can command a 10-15% wage premium over standard journeyman rates.
• Backflow Prevention: Certification to test and install backflow prevention devices is required by law for many commercial properties and irrigation systems. This is a lucrative side-certification.
• Green Technology: Expertise in high-efficiency systems (like heat pumps for hydronic heating, greywater systems, and solar thermal) is in growing demand, especially for new construction.
• Business Ownership: The most common path for high earnings. A successful small service shop can be highly profitable. The Spokane market supports several well-established local companies, showing there's room for more, especially if you find a niche (e.g., specializing in historic home repiping or commercial grease traps).

The 10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong. The key to advancement is actively pursuing specialized certifications. The plumbers who will see the highest incomes in 2034 will be those who are not just journeymen, but experts in high-value, code-intensive specialties.

The Verdict: Is Spokane Right for You?

Spokane offers a compelling package for plumbers: a fair market salary, a manageable cost of living, and a stable job market with a clear path for growth. It's a city where a skilled trade can afford a good life.

Pros	Cons
Strong Value: Median salary ($63,540) stretches far in a city with a 101.0 cost of living.	Seasonal Work: Residential construction can slow in the winter, though service work remains steady.
Homeownership is Realistic: A plumber can qualify for a mortgage on a starter home, which is a huge long-term financial advantage.	Car Dependency: You'll need a reliable vehicle for commuting to job sites across the metro.
Diverse Job Market: Mix of commercial, residential, and industrial work. Multiple major employers and a strong union.	Union Dominance: For the best commercial/industrial jobs, union membership is often expected. This is a pro if you're in, but can be a barrier for non-union tradespeople.
Stable Growth: 6% 10-year job growth provides security.	Wage Ceiling: Top-end salaries may not reach the peaks of Seattle or the East Coast, but the cost-of-living offset is significant.
Good Work-Life Balance: The city's size and layout allow for shorter commutes and a more relaxed pace than major metros.	Limited High-End Luxury Market: While growing, Spokane doesn't have the same density of ultra-high-end residential work as coastal cities.

Final Recommendation:
Spokane is an excellent choice for plumbers at the mid-career stage who are looking to buy a home, start a family, or establish a stable, long-term career without the extreme financial pressure of a major coastal city. It's particularly well-suited for those willing to pursue union training or specialize in a high-demand niche. For a brand-new apprentice, it's a solid market with good training opportunities, but expect to start at lower wages. For an experienced journeyman looking for a change, Spokane offers a rare combination of professional opportunity and personal affordability.

FAQs

1. I'm a licensed plumber from another state. Can I work in Spokane immediately?
It depends. Washington State has reciprocity with some states, but not all. You must contact the Washington State Plumbing and Pipefitter Industry Training Committee and the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries to verify your credentials. You may be able to work under a master plumber while you complete any additional requirements or hours needed to sit for the Washington journeyman exam.

2. How competitive is the apprenticeship program?
It can be competitive. The Local 44 apprenticeship program is highly sought after due to its excellent training and post-apprenticeship job placement. You'll need to apply, pass an aptitude test, and interview. Persistence is key. Alternatively, you can start as a registered apprentice with a non-union shop and later challenge the union apprenticeship exam.

3. Is the union strong in Spokane?
Yes. Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 44 is very active and represents a significant portion of the commercial and industrial plumbers in the region. For large-scale projects—the hospital expansions, new data centers, and public works projects—union plumbers are often the first to be hired. It's a major part of the local industry infrastructure.

4. What's the winter like for a plumber in Spokane?
Spokane has cold, snowy winters. This affects work in two ways: 1) New construction (especially outdoor excavation) can slow down significantly from December to March. 2) Service and repair work increases. Frozen pipes, boiler issues, and water heater failures become common. So, while the "build" side may have seasonal lulls, the "fix" side keeps heating up. A well-rounded plumber will have steady work year-round.

5. Where can I find the latest job postings and licensing info?

• Jobs: Check the Spokane Regional Labor Management Partnership website, Indeed and LinkedIn (filter for Spokane), and the direct career pages of employers like Garco, Kaiser, and the City of Spokane.
• Licensing & Apprenticeship: The primary source is the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) website and the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 44 website for union apprenticeship info.

Sources: Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Spokane Association of Realtors, and local industry reports.