Quick answer: The median plumber in West Virginia earns $27.39/hr — about $56,980 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $83,000+. To hire one, a plumbing business typically bills $60–$80 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, 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 West Virginia compares to other states.
Plumber income in West Virginia (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for West Virginia's ~1,830 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.31 | ~$3,000 | ~$36,005 |
| Median (typical) | $27.39 | ~$4,748 | $56,980 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $39.98 | ~$6,930 | ~$83,158 |
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) | ~$27/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$80/hr |
Where West Virginia ranks
West Virginia pays plumbers 11% below the national median, ranking 45th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| West Virginia (45th) | $27.39 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by West Virginia metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $30.82/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30.80/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29.88/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $29.35/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Charleston | $28.34/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Morgantown | $28.26/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Beckley | $24.10/hr | $55–$70/hr |
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for plumbers, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common plumbing jobs cost in West Virginia
At West Virginia billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical West Virginia range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $65–$115 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $125–$325 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $125–$275 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $150–$350 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $150–$350 |
| Leak detection & repair | $125–$475 |
| Sump pump replacement | $325–$725 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $125–$325 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,050–$2,250 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $3,000–$9,500+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in West Virginia
Here's how plumber pay lines up against West Virginia's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $31.16/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Plumber | $27.39/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Roofer | $24.60/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| HVAC technician | $23.49/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Carpenter | $23.42/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 West Virginia?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See West Virginia contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in West Virginia, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers make in West Virginia?
The median plumber in West Virginia earns about $56,980 a year ($27.39/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level plumbers earn around $36,000 and the most experienced earn $83,000 or more.
Can a plumber make $100,000 a year in West Virginia?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of plumbers in West Virginia earn about $83,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own plumbing business and billing $60–$80/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do plumbers charge per hour in West Virginia?
In 2025, most West Virginia plumbers bill $60–$80 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $27/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do plumbers earn more in West Virginia than nationally?
West Virginia's median plumber wage is about 11% below the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 45th of 51 states.
Which West Virginia city pays plumbers the most?
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH, at a $30.82/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for plumbers.
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. Updated August 2026.