Quick answer: Plumbers in Virginia typically bill $65–$85 per hour (2025). The median plumber earns $29.07/hr ($60,470/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 Virginia compares to other states.
Plumber income in Virginia (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Virginia's ~13,780 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $21.14 | ~$3,664 | ~$43,971 |
| Median (typical) | $29.07 | ~$5,039 | $60,470 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $37.52 | ~$6,503 | ~$78,042 |
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) | ~$29/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$85/hr |
Where Virginia ranks
Virginia pays plumbers 5% below the national median, ranking 38th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| Virginia (38th) | $29.07 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by Virginia metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $29.75/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Richmond | $29.56/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $27.93/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $27.77/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Lynchburg | $27.51/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Charlottesville | $27.17/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Harrisonburg | $25.14/hr | $55–$75/hr |
What common plumbing jobs cost in Virginia
At Virginia billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Virginia range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $70–$125 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $125–$325 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $125–$275 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $175–$375 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $175–$375 |
| Leak detection & repair | $125–$500 |
| Sump pump replacement | $325–$750 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $125–$325 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,100–$2,350 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $3,500–$10,000+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in Virginia
Here's how plumber pay lines up against Virginia's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $30.24/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Plumber | $29.07/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| HVAC technician | $28.72/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Carpenter | $26.77/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Roofer | $23.28/hr | $50–$70/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 Virginia?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Virginia contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in Virginia, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers charge per hour in Virginia?
In 2025, most Virginia plumbers bill $65–$85 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $29/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average plumber salary in Virginia?
The median plumber in Virginia earns about $60,470 a year ($29.07/hr). Entry-level plumbers earn around $44,000 and the most experienced earn $78,000 or more.
Do plumbers earn more in Virginia than nationally?
Virginia's median plumber wage is about 5% below the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 38th of 51 states.
Which Virginia city pays plumbers the most?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, at a $29.75/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.