Registered apprenticeships
U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission
An apprenticeship is a paid job with classes. Texas helps pay for the classes, but programs may still charge an application fee, tuition or books.
Plumber jobs by city
Texas plumber pay and openings
Updated
| Median pay, Texas | $28.77/hr (about $59,800/yr) | BLS, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Middle half earn, Texas | $22.78–$35.63/hr | BLS, May 2025 |
| Top 10% earn, Texas | over $39.37/hr | BLS, May 2025 |
| Openings a year, Texas (projected) | 4,225 | TWC projections, 2024–2034 |
| Open jobs on SkillsTradeJobs in Texas | 1 | our listings, November 13, 2026 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025, bls.gov/oes); Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections 2024–2034 (texaslmi.com); open jobs counted from employers' and unions' job boards, checked daily. A year is 2,080 hours, as BLS counts it.
No open plumber jobs in our Texas metros right now.
Want new plumber jobs by text?
Text your trade and city to 424-5TR-ADES (424-587-2337). English or Spanish.
Text 424-587-2337 to ask the SkillsTradeJobs assistant about trade jobs, training, pay and licenses. Replies come from an AI assistant, only when you text us. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. SMS terms.
What plumbers do
The work, the training and the pay nationwide, in about 90 seconds.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Career VideoCareerOneStop · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com
Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Tap CC on the player for captions. On CareerOneStop ↗
How to move up in Texas
- 1
Plumber's Apprentice · TSBPE
Register before you start: hours worked before you register don't count. $15.
- 2
Journeyman Plumber · TSBPE
8,000 hours and a 48-hour course (or a Department of Labor apprenticeship), then an exam.
- 3
Master Plumber · TSBPE
Two years as a journeyman (or one year plus a completed Department of Labor apprenticeship), then an exam.
| Where | Middle half (25th–75th) | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $23.68 – $36.39 | $29.47 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $23.04 – $36.20 | $29.45 |
| San Antonio | $22.23 – $32.94 | $27.97 |
| Austin | $23.44 – $38.32 | $30.20 |
| All of Texas | $22.78 – $35.63 | $28.77 |
An hour, for all workers in the occupation, not by license level. BLS: “Someone new to the field may expect wages near the 10th or 25th percentile, whereas those with more experience and education could expect wages near the 75th or 90th percentile.”
Ways to pay for plumber training
Workforce Solutions training scholarships
Texas Workforce Commission
If you qualify, your local Workforce Solutions board can pay a school for an approved training program. Each board sets its own limit, and money depends on its budget.
Work Ethic Scholarship
the mikeroweWORKS Foundation
A scholarship for trade school programs of two years or less. You'll need a tuition bill from your school, a short video and references.
We're not connected with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Apply on their site.
Training money in Austin, Houston, DFW and San Antonio →Veteran or still serving? →
Checked Oct 2026 from each program's own site. Amounts and rules can change; their page has the final word.