Plumber.
Boise.
$58,000
median salary, 3% below the national average
$45,000 to $76,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Boise is 5% cheaper than the national average. For Plumbers, that shakes out to a median of $58,000, with the full range spanning $45,000 to $76,000. Licensed master plumbers earn 25 to 35% more than journeymen, with commercial and industrial specialization pushing pay to the top of the range. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $52,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
to $46,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$49,000
to $61,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$64,000
to $75,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.
Base
$58,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $72,000
How Boise compares
Boise, ID
$58,000
Cost of living: 5% below average
National Average
$60,000
Boise is $2,000 below
Plumber salary by city
Salary by role in Boise
What you should know
The Plumber landscape in Boise is not what most salary sites will tell you. Boise has emerged as one of the fastest growing tech cities in the Mountain West, driven by Micron Technology, HP, and a wave of startup relocations. The city's quality of life and affordability have attracted significant in-migration from California and Washington. Tech salaries are rising fast as demand outpaces local talent supply. Licensed master plumbers earn 25 to 35% more than journeymen, with commercial and industrial specialization pushing pay to the top of the range. Plumbers who handle gas line work, backflow prevention, or medical gas systems command premium rates. Union membership in major metro areas provides the strongest wage floors.
Apprentice plumbers start at $32,000 to $40,000 during their four to five year apprenticeship. Journeymen earn $46,000 to $65,000, while master plumbers reach $65,000 to $85,000. Plumbing contractors who run their own businesses can earn $90,000 to $150,000 or more. In Boise, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Union plumbers receive health insurance, pension contributions, and annuity funds worth $15,000 to $25,000 annually on top of wages. Overtime during emergency calls can add $8,000 to $15,000 per year, especially for on-call residential specialists. And on the tax side: idaho has a flat 5.8% state income tax. Boise has no city income tax. While higher than neighboring states, the rate is offset by affordable housing and low overall cost of living. When someone quotes you $58,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Bay Area and Seattle talent competition. Boise employers increasingly match 80 to 90% of coastal salaries for in demand tech roles. The range for Plumbers in Boise runs from $45,000 to $76,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Industrial Maintenance Tech in Boise earns $59,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Boise is Chief AI Officer at $289,000
Common questions.
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