How much do plumbers make in Louisiana in 2026?

The median plumber in Louisiana earns $63,680 a year, which works out to about $30.62 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of the range — half of Louisiana plumbers earn more, half earn less. The 25th percentile comes in at $50,750 (~$24.40/hr), and the 75th percentile reaches $74,870 (~$36.00/hr). These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025.

The $24,120 gap between the 25th and 75th percentiles tells you something important: experience and specialization move the needle significantly in this trade. A plumber fresh out of apprenticeship working residential service calls is likely landing near that $50,750 floor. A journeyman with ten years in commercial or industrial work — think refineries, hospitals, or large-scale mechanical contracting — is the worker pulling the 75th percentile figure toward $74,870 and above.

Louisiana's industrial corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is one of the biggest drivers of higher plumber pay in the state. Petrochemical plants, refineries, and processing facilities along the Mississippi River employ pipefitters and plumbers on maintenance and shutdown work that can carry overtime and shift differentials. If you're working turnarounds at a major industrial facility, your actual take-home for the year can push well past the 75th percentile once overtime hours are factored in — BLS wage data captures base pay and does not fully reflect overtime earnings.

Geography within Louisiana matters beyond just the industrial corridor. The greater New Orleans metro and Baton Rouge see more large commercial construction and renovation work, which generally pays more than rural residential service work. Plumbers in smaller markets like Monroe, Alexandria, or Lake Charles may find fewer commercial jobs and more exposure to single-family residential work, which typically sits closer to the lower end of the pay range.

Licensing is a direct lever on your earning power in Louisiana. The state requires plumbers to be licensed, and the path typically runs through a registered apprenticeship — usually four to five years — followed by a journeyman exam. Holding a Louisiana master plumber license opens the door to pulling permits and running your own jobs, which significantly increases what you can charge and earn. If you're still working under someone else's license, getting your own master's card is one of the clearest ways to move from the median toward the upper range.

Specialization also separates pay levels. Plumbers who pick up certifications in medical gas systems, backflow prevention, or hydronic heating systems have skills that not every plumber on the market can offer. Contractors who need those skills will pay for them. Cross-training into pipefitting for industrial work is another path that Louisiana's refinery-heavy economy makes particularly accessible.

Some plumbers in Louisiana work under collective bargaining agreements. If you're in a union, your wage rate and benefits are set by your local's agreement — check that agreement directly for your specific scale, since those rates vary by area and contract cycle. BLS data blends union and non-union workers, so the figures here reflect the full workforce.

The numbers on this page are statewide averages. Your actual pay depends on your employer, your specialty, your license level, the sector you work in, and how many hours you put in. Use the percentile range as a benchmark, not a ceiling.