Plumber Salary in Idaho

Key Takeaways

• The national median plumber salary is approximately $61,550 per year per BLS.
• Idaho's construction boom creates high demand for plumbers throughout the Treasure Valley.
• Entry-level plumbers in Idaho start at approximately $35,000 to $42,000 annually.
• Journeyman plumbers in Idaho typically earn $54,000 to $70,000 per year.
• The BLS projects plumber employment to grow 6 percent through 2033.
• Idaho plumbers must be licensed through the Idaho Division of Building Safety.

Plumber Salary in Idaho: Pay, Licensing, and Career Guide

Idaho's explosive population growth has transformed the state into one of the most active construction markets in the entire country. Every new home, apartment complex, office building, and commercial facility needs licensed plumbers for rough-in, finish plumbing, and ongoing service. If you are considering a plumbing career in Idaho or evaluating whether to relocate for better wages, this guide provides a thorough breakdown of what plumbers earn in the Gem State.

We cover plumber salaries by experience level, city, and industry, explain how to get licensed in Idaho, and share strategies for maximizing your income in this high-demand trade.

Idaho Plumber Salary Overview

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is approximately $61,550. Idaho plumber wages are broadly competitive with the national median, and in the Treasure Valley the combination of high construction volume and reported labor shortages tends to push wages above national figures. Experienced journeyman plumbers in the Boise metro area can command $62,000 to $72,000 per year.

Idaho's plumbing market benefits from multiple demand drivers: residential development in the Treasure Valley and other growing communities, commercial and industrial construction, aging infrastructure in established neighborhoods requiring service and replacement, and specialized mechanical systems at data centers and technology facilities.

Idaho Plumber Salary by Experience Level

Apprentice Plumbers (Years 1-4)

Plumbing apprentices in Idaho typically earn $16 to $22 per hour in their first year, translating to roughly $33,000 to $46,000 annually. Wages increase with each year of the four-year apprenticeship. By the fourth year, apprentices are approaching journeyman wages and gaining proficiency in the full range of residential and commercial plumbing work.

Apprenticeship programs through the United Association (UA) plumbing locals and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) provide structured training that combines on-the-job hours with classroom instruction in plumbing codes, blueprint reading, pipe sizing, and drain-waste-vent systems. Idaho technical colleges also offer plumbing programs that can serve as a foundation for apprenticeship applications.

Journeyman Plumbers

Licensed journeyman plumbers in Idaho earn $54,000 to $70,000 per year. The BLS Mountain division data confirms that plumber wages in the region are at or near the national median, with the Treasure Valley pulling wages above average due to construction volume. Journeymen working for larger commercial contractors or in industrial settings earn toward the higher end of this range, while residential service plumbers may earn slightly less in base wages but supplement income through service call premiums and overtime.

Idaho's journeyman plumber license is administered by the Idaho Division of Building Safety and requires completing an apprenticeship or equivalent training hours plus passing a licensing examination. Licensed journeymen are in genuine short supply in Idaho's fastest-growing markets.

Master Plumbers

Master plumbers in Idaho who operate plumbing contracting businesses earn $75,000 to $110,000 or more depending on business size and client mix. A master plumber license is required to pull permits and operate a plumbing contracting business in Idaho. Masters who build commercial service contracts or serve production homebuilders can generate strong recurring income. Independent master plumbers with established service territories report annual incomes of $90,000 to $130,000.

Idaho Plumber Salary by City

• Boise: The state capital with the highest concentration of construction activity. Journeyman wages $60,000 to $72,000 with high job density.
• Nampa/Meridian: Fastest-growing communities in Idaho. Plumbing demand is relentless. Wages $58,000 to $70,000 for journeymen.
• Idaho Falls: Eastern Idaho hub with industrial and residential plumbing demand. Wages average $54,000 to $66,000.
• Pocatello: University city and manufacturing center. Plumber wages $52,000 to $64,000.
• Twin Falls: Growing commercial and agricultural processing market. Wages $54,000 to $66,000.
• Coeur d'Alene: North Idaho's fastest-growing city. Resort and residential construction drives wages to $56,000 to $68,000.

Plumbing Industries in Idaho

Residential New Construction

Residential new construction is the dominant driver of plumbing employment in Idaho. Rough-in plumbing for new homes, installing water heaters, setting fixtures, and connecting to municipal water and sewer systems keeps residential plumbers fully employed. High-volume production homebuilders offer steady employment, often with piece-rate pay structures that allow skilled workers to earn above hourly rates.

Commercial Plumbing

Commercial plumbing in Idaho involves complex systems in office buildings, retail centers, restaurants, hotels, and healthcare facilities. Commercial journeyman plumbers earn more than residential counterparts due to the complexity of commercial plumbing codes and system requirements. Healthcare facility plumbing -- including medical gas systems and specialized drain systems -- is a premium specialty.

Service and Repair

Service plumbers who handle repairs, drain cleaning, leak detection, and water heater replacement build strong client relationships and often earn premium rates for after-hours and emergency calls. In Idaho's aging residential stock in cities like Pocatello and Twin Falls, service demand is consistent. Independent service plumbers can build profitable businesses with relatively low overhead.

Industrial and Process Piping

Idaho's food processing industry -- potato plants, dairy operations, and beverage manufacturers -- employs industrial pipefitters who install and maintain process piping systems. Data centers and technology facilities also require specialized plumbing for cooling infrastructure. Industrial pipefitters in Idaho earn $60,000 to $80,000, with the most specialized high-purity piping workers earning more.

How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Idaho

The Idaho Division of Building Safety oversees plumbing licensure. The main license types and requirements:

• Plumbing Apprentice: Register and work under a licensed journeyman or master plumber. Complete an approved apprenticeship program (typically 7,500-8,000 hours over four years).
• Journeyman Plumber License: Pass the journeyman plumber examination after completing required hours. Covers Idaho Plumbing Code and practical plumbing knowledge.
• Master Plumber License: Requires additional years as a journeyman and passing a comprehensive master exam. Required to pull permits and run a plumbing business.
• Plumbing Contractor License: Business license issued by the Division of Building Safety to operate a plumbing contracting company in Idaho.

Idaho follows the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and licensing exams are based on this code. Continuing education is required for license renewal. Idaho has reciprocity with some states, allowing experienced out-of-state plumbers to transfer their credentials.

Plumbing Education in Idaho

• College of Western Idaho (CWI - Nampa): Plumbing technology programs serving the Treasure Valley with strong employer connections.
• Eastern Idaho Technical College (Idaho Falls): Plumbing programs for eastern Idaho students with industrial employer ties.
• College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls): Plumbing program with agricultural processing industry connections.
• North Idaho College (Coeur d'Alene): Trade programs including plumbing for north Idaho students.
• United Association (UA) Joint Apprenticeship Programs: UA Local 290 in Boise runs formal apprenticeship training with full wage progression and benefits.

Strategies to Increase Your Plumber Salary in Idaho

• Obtain your master plumber license as quickly as possible to unlock permit-pulling ability and business ownership
• Specialize in high-value areas like medical gas, fire suppression, or high-purity process piping
• Build commercial service contracts for recurring revenue
• Consider union membership through UA Local 290 for scale wages and pension benefits
• Develop water treatment, backflow prevention, and tankless water heater expertise
• Build a service truck business for premium after-hours and emergency service rates

Job Outlook for Plumbers in Idaho

The BLS projects nationwide plumber employment to grow 6 percent through 2033. Idaho's local growth rate is considerably higher than the national average, reflecting the state's ongoing population and construction boom. New housing developments, commercial facilities, and infrastructure projects will keep Idaho plumbers busy for years to come. The retirement of experienced tradespeople over the next decade will further increase demand for new entrants to the trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average plumber salary in Idaho? Journeyman plumbers in Idaho typically earn $54,000 to $70,000 per year. Master plumbers and contractors can earn $80,000 to $110,000. The BLS national median is approximately $61,550, and Idaho wages are broadly competitive with this figure.

How do I get a plumber license in Idaho? Register as an apprentice with the Idaho Division of Building Safety, complete 7,500 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed plumber, and pass the journeyman plumber examination. Master plumber status requires additional experience and a separate exam.

Is there a plumber shortage in Idaho? Yes. Idaho's rapid population growth has created a significant skilled trades shortage, including plumbers. This shortage translates to strong job security, upward wage pressure, and immediate employment for newly licensed journeymen. It also creates excellent conditions for master plumbers who want to start their own contracting businesses.