Quick answer: Plumbers in Delaware typically bill $70–$95 per hour (2025). The median plumber earns $31.11/hr ($64,720/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a plumbing business charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what plumbers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Delaware compares to other states.
Plumber income in Delaware (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Delaware's ~1,590 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $19.71 | ~$3,416 | ~$40,997 |
| Median (typical) | $31.11 | ~$5,393 | $64,720 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $45.93 | ~$7,961 | ~$95,534 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a plumber takes home. What a plumbing business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median plumber wage (earned) | ~$31/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $70–$95/hr |
Where Delaware ranks
Delaware pays plumbers right at the national median, ranking 23rd of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| Delaware (23rd) | $31.11 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by Delaware metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Dover | $28.08/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $27.27/hr | $60–$80/hr |
What common plumbing jobs cost in Delaware
At Delaware billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Delaware range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $75–$130 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $125–$350 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $125–$300 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $175–$400 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $175–$400 |
| Leak detection & repair | $125–$525 |
| Sump pump replacement | $350–$800 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $125–$350 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,150–$2,550 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $3,500–$10,500+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in Delaware
Here's how plumber pay lines up against Delaware's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $31.11/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Electrician | $30.63/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| HVAC technician | $29.96/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Roofer | $28.58/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Carpenter | $28.46/hr | $65–$85/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free plumber estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do plumbers need a license in Delaware?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Delaware contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in Delaware, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers charge per hour in Delaware?
In 2025, most Delaware plumbers bill $70–$95 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $31/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average plumber salary in Delaware?
The median plumber in Delaware earns about $64,720 a year ($31.11/hr). Entry-level plumbers earn around $41,000 and the most experienced earn $96,000 or more.
Do plumbers earn more in Delaware than nationally?
Delaware pays plumbers right about the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 23rd of 51 states.
Which Delaware city pays plumbers the most?
Dover, at a $28.08/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.