How much do plumbers make in Maryland in 2026?

The median plumber in Maryland earns $65,400 a year, which works out to roughly $31.44 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of a wide range: workers at the 25th percentile bring home $54,780 ($26.34/hr), while those at the 75th percentile reach $94,890 ($45.62/hr). The gap between the bottom and top quartiles is more than $40,000 annually, so where you land on that spectrum matters a great deal.

Entry-level and early-career plumbers typically fall at or below the 25th percentile. At $54,780, that's still a living wage in most of Maryland's smaller cities and rural counties, but it will feel tight in the Baltimore metro or the Washington, D.C. suburbs in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, where housing and cost of living run significantly higher. Workers in those suburban corridors often push harder for raises or overtime to keep pace with local costs.

Experience is the single biggest lever on plumber pay in Maryland. A journeyman with five to eight years on the job and a Maryland master plumber's license is far more likely to be earning near or above the median. The master license opens doors to supervisory roles, project lead work, and self-employment — all paths that tend to push earnings toward or past the 75th percentile of $94,890 ($45.62/hr).

Licensing in Maryland is handled at the state level through the Maryland Department of Labor. The apprentice-to-journeyman pathway typically runs four to five years, combining on-the-job hours with classroom instruction. After additional experience hours, journeymen can sit for the master plumber exam. Holding a master license doesn't just increase your earning ceiling — it's a legal requirement to pull permits and run your own plumbing business in the state.

Overtime and seasonal demand play a real role in annual take-home pay. Maryland's older housing stock — particularly in Baltimore City and the surrounding inner suburbs — generates steady repair and replacement work year-round. New construction, on the other hand, tends to cluster in the spring and summer months. Plumbers who stay flexible about working overtime during peak construction seasons or emergency call-out shifts can meaningfully close the gap between base salary and what the top quartile earns.

Geography within the state also separates wages. The D.C. suburbs in Prince George's and Montgomery counties generally offer the highest wages due to proximity to federal construction projects, data center buildouts, and dense commercial development. The Baltimore metro follows closely. The Eastern Shore and Western Maryland tend to run lower, though lower local costs of living partially offset that difference.

Specialization is another path to higher pay. Plumbers who cross-train in pipefitting, gas line work, or medical gas systems for healthcare facilities tend to command premium rates. Maryland has a substantial healthcare infrastructure — including Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, and numerous federal facilities — that creates consistent demand for plumbers with specialty certifications.

Some workers in the trade may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

The BLS OEWS data underlying these figures is a strong benchmark, but it captures base wages only. It does not include overtime pay, per diem allowances, tool stipends, employer contributions to health insurance, or retirement benefits like pension plans. Your total compensation package can be notably higher than the wage figures alone suggest, particularly if your employer offers strong benefits.

All figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025.