Plumber Salary in Arizona 2026:
$58,600 Average ($28.17/hr)
Updated 17 April 2026
Arizona plumbers earn $4,370 below the national median of $62,970. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Arizona Median
$58,600/yr
Hourly Rate
$28.17/hr
vs National
$-4,370
Top 10% Earn
$88,800+
Where Arizona Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#26
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
102
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$57,451
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Arizona
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale | $62,400 |
| Tucson Metro | $54,800 |
| Flagstaff Metro | $56,000 |
| Prescott Metro | $52,400 |
| Yuma Metro | $48,000 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Metropolitan Area data. Figures are estimates based on available MSA data.
Pay by Experience Level in Arizona
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Arizona.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $16 - $21/hr | $33,000 - $44,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $22 - $28/hr | $46,000 - $58,000 |
| Journeyman | $28 - $40/hr | $58,000 - $83,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $36 - $50/hr | $75,000 - $104,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $85 - $160/hr billed | $75,000 - $200,000 net |
Arizona Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Arizona, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
Journeyman Requirement
No state journeyman license; license is at the contractor level after 4 years of construction experience
Master Plumber Requirement
Plumbing Commercial (CR-37) or Residential (KB-1 + R-37) contractor license: 4 years of qualifying experience + business and trade exams
Reciprocity
Yes; AZ has reciprocity with California, Nevada, Utah, and other Western states for some classifications
Exam Fee
$80 trade exam + $100 business exam + $480 license fee (2-year)
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Arizona
UA Local 469 (Phoenix - one of the strongest UA Locals in the Mountain West). ~22% of plumbers in Phoenix metro; lower statewide.
Union plumbers in Arizona typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Arizona
Arizona, particularly the Phoenix metro, is one of the most active construction markets in the United States. Population in-migration from California has driven aggressive residential new-build construction across the West Valley and East Valley. The TSMC semiconductor fab construction north of Phoenix is one of the largest single industrial projects in the country and has pulled hundreds of pipefitters and plumbers into the metro. Intel's Chandler fab expansion adds further industrial mechanical demand. The state has no inheritance tax and a relatively flat income tax, which improves take-home pay for self-employed plumbers compared to California.
Biggest Employers in Arizona
- +Sundt Construction (AZ-based, large in Phoenix)
- +Kitchell Construction
- +DPR Construction (Phoenix office)
- +Hensel Phelps (Phoenix)
- +McCarthy Building Companies