Best Cities to Start a Plumber Business (2026)

Where a solo plumber business has the most room Our calculation

Bremerton, WA ranks first. One-person plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses there average $143,333 a year in revenue, with 4.6 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses for every 10,000 residents (typical metro: 7.9). We scored all 383 metros where the Census publishes plumbing & HVAC contracting business counts.

1
BremertonWASHINGTON · WA · $143,333 avg solo revenue · 4.6 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
88
2
HinesvilleGEORGIA · GA · $88,444 avg solo revenue · 5.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
84
3
Yuba CityCALIFORNIA · CA · $130,403 avg solo revenue · 6.2 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
82
4
OshkoshWISCONSIN · WI · $132,594 avg solo revenue · 5.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
5
SheboyganWISCONSIN · WI · $168,909 avg solo revenue · 5.2 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
79
6
KennewickWASHINGTON · WA · $104,520 avg solo revenue · 4.5 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
78
7
AppletonWISCONSIN · WI · $129,444 avg solo revenue · 5.9 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
78
8
OlympiaWASHINGTON · WA · $102,667 avg solo revenue · 4.1 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
78
9
Homosassa SpringsFLORIDA · FL · $84,894 avg solo revenue · 6.7 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
78
10
MercedCALIFORNIA · CA · $99,936 avg solo revenue · 4.9 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
78
11
DoverDELAWARE · DE · $92,909 avg solo revenue · 6.5 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
77
12
ClarksvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $101,039 avg solo revenue · 8.0 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
77
13
LincolnNEBRASKA · NE · $98,235 avg solo revenue · 6.7 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
76
14
WenatcheeWASHINGTON · WA · $99,556 avg solo revenue · 6.8 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
75
15
NashvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $112,298 avg solo revenue · 9.4 plumbing & HVAC contracting businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
75

Weights: average solo revenue 3, fewer competitors per resident 3, revenue compared with the local employee wage 2, new home permits 2, population growth 1. Each factor is a percentile among these metros.

Top 5 by each factor Government data

Highest solo revenue

Wausau, WI: $169,429
Sheboygan, WI: $168,909
Bremerton, WA: $143,333
Oshkosh, WI: $132,594
Yuba City, CA: $130,403

Least competition

Corvallis, OR: 3.1 per 10k residents
Beckley, WV: 3.6 per 10k residents
Hanford, CA: 3.8 per 10k residents
Wheeling, WV: 3.8 per 10k residents
Olympia, WA: 4.1 per 10k residents

Most new building

Wildwood, FL: 24.5 home permits per 1k
North Port, FL: 19.8 home permits per 1k
Lafayette, IN: 17.9 home permits per 1k
Myrtle Beach, SC: 17.0 home permits per 1k
Wilmington, NC: 16.8 home permits per 1k

Fastest-growing population

Wildwood, FL: +21.1%
Myrtle Beach, SC: +20.9%
Lakeland, FL: +19.8%
St. George, UT: +17.4%
Ocala, FL: +17.3%

Every metro Government data

Click a column to sort. “Rate to match it” is the hourly rate you'd need to bill to replace the local employee median, at our default assumptions (25% for tax and benefits, $30,000 overhead, 1,400 billable hours). Try your own numbers in the rate calculator.

#	Metro	Score	Solo revenue	Businesses / 10k people	Employee median	Rate to match it	Permits / 1k
1	Bremerton, WA	88	$143,333	4.6	$82,960	$96/hr	6.4
2	Hinesville, GA	84	$88,444	5.1	$47,520	$64/hr	7.3
3	Yuba City, CA	82	$130,403	6.2	$61,120	$76/hr	4.5
4	Oshkosh, WI	80	$132,594	5.1	$86,320	$98/hr	4.0
5	Sheboygan, WI	79	$168,909	5.2	$91,530	$103/hr	3.1
6	Kennewick, WA	78	$104,520	4.5	$97,130	$108/hr	7.8
7	Appleton, WI	78	$129,444	5.9	$91,750	$103/hr	5.1
8	Olympia, WA	78	$102,667	4.1	$80,030	$93/hr	5.6
9	Homosassa Springs, FL	78	$84,894	6.7	$48,140	$64/hr	12.9
10	Merced, CA	78	$99,936	4.9	$60,230	$75/hr	2.7
11	Dover, DE	77	$92,909	6.5	$58,410	$74/hr	6.7
12	Clarksville, TN	77	$101,039	8.0	$58,930	$74/hr	8.7
13	Lincoln, NE	76	$98,235	6.7	$60,670	$76/hr	7.0
14	Wenatchee, WA	75	$99,556	6.8	$74,200	$88/hr	8.7
15	Nashville, TN	75	$112,298	9.4	$60,100	$75/hr	9.2
16	Boulder, CO	75	$109,844	6.8	$64,890	$79/hr	6.1
17	Visalia, CA	75	$93,772	4.7	$60,720	$76/hr	3.7
18	Brunswick, GA	74	$114,787	8.3	$59,630	$75/hr	5.5
19	Bellingham, WA	74	$107,475	4.6	$102,750	$113/hr	5.3
20	Stockton, CA	73	$91,953	5.5	$62,900	$78/hr	3.2
21	Salem, OR	73	$105,020	5.0	$80,610	$93/hr	3.2
22	Hilton Head Island, SC	72	$104,199	10.9	$54,870	$70/hr	13.5
23	Napa, CA	72	$122,343	6.1	$65,420	$80/hr	2.7
24	Mount Vernon, WA	72	$105,000	5.1	$77,540	$91/hr	2.8
25	Eau Claire, WI	72	$112,623	6.1	$92,720	$104/hr	5.4
26	Mankato, MN	72	$121,552	6.9	$74,450	$88/hr	3.4
27	Odessa, TX	71	$103,713	8.4	$61,870	$77/hr	5.6
28	Lawrence, KS	71	$96,848	5.8	$59,280	$74/hr	3.1
29	Chico, CA	70	$98,821	6.8	$60,730	$76/hr	4.8
30	Morristown, TN	70	$116,426	10.0	$53,780	$69/hr	4.8
31	Farmington, NM	70	$102,000	4.7	$48,970	$65/hr	0.7
32	Bowling Green, KY	70	$100,739	9.3	$64,260	$79/hr	7.9
33	Columbia, MO	69	$92,724	7.0	$58,010	$73/hr	3.8
34	Lewiston, ID	69	$80,923	4.6	$55,240	$71/hr	4.7
35	Madison, WI	68	$85,816	5.4	$85,160	$97/hr	10.0
36	Gainesville, GA	68	$104,740	25.2	$51,170	$67/hr	9.4
37	Duluth, MN	68	$127,253	6.5	$85,060	$97/hr	2.3
38	Springfield, OH	68	$115,552	7.5	$58,060	$73/hr	2.9
39	Pocatello, ID	68	$89,676	8.3	$50,020	$66/hr	6.6
40	Beckley, WV	67	$97,200	3.6	$50,140	$66/hr	0.7
41	Watertown, NY	67	$115,717	7.0	$61,490	$76/hr	2.5
42	Wausau, WI	67	$169,429	7.9	$86,750	$99/hr	2.5
43	Auburn, AL	67	$86,053	8.5	$51,570	$67/hr	7.9
44	Greenville, SC	67	$94,978	10.5	$50,890	$67/hr	8.6
45	Muncie, IN	67	$93,875	5.9	$64,790	$79/hr	2.9
46	Redding, CA	67	$122,436	6.8	$61,300	$76/hr	1.4
47	Grand Island, NE	66	$128,552	9.2	$55,850	$71/hr	3.5
48	Cleveland, TN	66	$103,119	11.4	$55,130	$71/hr	7.3
49	Ann Arbor, MI	66	$95,570	4.2	$78,210	$91/hr	2.9
50	Goldsboro, NC	66	$82,586	7.9	$51,260	$67/hr	8.0
51	Sacramento, CA	65	$89,961	7.0	$65,210	$80/hr	4.4
52	Savannah, GA	65	$81,098	7.7	$60,530	$75/hr	12.8
53	Charleston, SC	65	$87,684	9.5	$57,360	$73/hr	8.7
54	Green Bay, WI	65	$98,906	5.9	$90,570	$102/hr	4.3
55	Morgantown, WV	65	$94,970	5.1	$58,780	$74/hr	0.2
56	Gettysburg, PA	65	$107,718	10.0	$61,630	$76/hr	4.5
57	Sherman, TX	65	$94,555	13.4	$54,320	$70/hr	13.1
58	Medford, OR	65	$101,360	6.5	$78,440	$91/hr	4.2
59	Bend, OR	65	$104,073	9.0	$92,330	$104/hr	12.1
60	Midland, TX	65	$103,266	11.7	$60,700	$76/hr	7.3
61	Vallejo, CA	65	$99,721	5.5	$71,560	$85/hr	1.9
62	Warner Robins, GA	64	$79,879	7.3	$58,500	$74/hr	6.8
63	Myrtle Beach, SC	64	$88,715	12.1	$48,340	$65/hr	17.0
64	Knoxville, TN	64	$94,391	10.4	$59,860	$75/hr	8.4
65	Bridgeport, CT	64	$122,636	9.3	$79,700	$93/hr	3.6
66	Salisbury, MD	64	$124,127	8.4	$61,940	$77/hr	1.6
67	Crestview, FL	64	$84,216	9.6	$52,020	$68/hr	11.5
68	Colorado Springs, CO	64	$87,490	8.1	$60,510	$75/hr	7.6
69	Amherst Town, MA	64	$120,130	8.3	$78,570	$92/hr	1.8
70	Bismarck, ND	63	$94,158	7.0	$70,310	$84/hr	3.0
71	Joplin, MO	63	$97,327	7.9	$64,370	$79/hr	3.0
72	Bloomington, IL	63	$105,185	5.9	$77,700	$91/hr	1.6
73	Boise City, ID	63	$80,900	8.6	$56,940	$72/hr	11.6
74	Albany, OR	63	$99,211	4.9	$84,620	$97/hr	1.4
75	Seattle, WA	63	$88,824	4.4	$95,230	$106/hr	3.9
76	Spokane, WA	63	$81,101	5.3	$72,800	$86/hr	5.3
77	Reading, PA	63	$117,126	8.0	$62,370	$77/hr	1.3
78	Santa Maria, CA	63	$105,142	8.0	$61,000	$76/hr	3.1
79	Burlington, VT	63	$114,916	10.3	$67,450	$82/hr	5.5
80	Harrisburg, PA	63	$94,611	6.1	$73,560	$87/hr	2.0
81	Phoenix, AZ	63	$91,035	9.4	$63,750	$78/hr	7.9
82	Rome, GA	62	$99,630	9.3	$48,400	$65/hr	3.3
83	Portland, ME	62	$111,274	14.7	$64,500	$79/hr	6.2
84	Fond du Lac, WI	62	$107,714	6.8	$77,310	$90/hr	1.8
85	Tulsa, OK	62	$97,159	10.0	$59,440	$74/hr	5.0
86	Terre Haute, IN	62	$115,950	6.3	$90,250	$102/hr	1.7
87	Billings, MT	62	$102,382	8.6	$81,690	$94/hr	5.4
88	Wildwood, FL	62	$57,216	4.5	$50,140	$66/hr	24.5
89	Gainesville, FL	62	$68,944	6.3	$51,600	$68/hr	10.5
90	Norwich, CT	62	$121,500	7.8	$76,980	$90/hr	1.6
91	Santa Rosa, CA	62	$120,027	9.2	$64,700	$79/hr	3.5
92	Staunton, VA	61	$75,720	7.4	$51,250	$67/hr	7.8
93	Columbus, OH	61	$75,935	6.3	$63,260	$78/hr	7.2
94	St. George, UT	61	$87,559	12.5	$56,730	$72/hr	14.5
95	College Station, TX	61	$80,188	9.3	$49,780	$66/hr	8.6
96	Portland, OR	61	$97,340	5.2	$101,010	$112/hr	3.3
97	Allentown, PA	61	$100,115	8.0	$64,940	$79/hr	2.3
98	Austin, TX	61	$89,052	11.1	$62,810	$78/hr	11.3
99	Minot, ND	61	$103,826	7.2	$62,400	$77/hr	1.8
100	Idaho Falls, ID	61	$79,647	9.2	$51,420	$67/hr	9.3
101	Wilmington, NC	60	$83,376	11.3	$56,390	$72/hr	16.8
102	Elizabethtown, KY	60	$83,327	7.2	$59,250	$74/hr	3.9
103	Athens, GA	60	$82,246	8.2	$57,750	$73/hr	5.8
104	Columbia, SC	60	$79,647	8.5	$52,070	$68/hr	7.1
105	Eugene, OR	60	$87,583	4.6	$84,910	$97/hr	4.0
106	Huntsville, AL	60	$77,735	8.3	$57,020	$72/hr	8.7
107	Jonesboro, AR	60	$92,826	13.6	$47,030	$63/hr	7.5
108	Johnson City, TN	59	$83,456	9.0	$48,480	$65/hr	4.3
109	Hagerstown, MD	59	$83,358	9.1	$55,130	$71/hr	5.4
110	Dothan, AL	59	$85,307	8.6	$49,070	$65/hr	3.9
111	St. Cloud, MN	59	$95,500	7.0	$90,230	$102/hr	3.9
112	Pensacola, FL	59	$72,136	7.3	$49,670	$66/hr	6.3
113	Rapid City, SD	59	$84,061	9.4	$55,850	$71/hr	6.3
114	Williamsport, PA	59	$97,806	6.5	$58,730	$74/hr	0.6
115	Spartanburg, SC	58	$79,639	10.5	$52,640	$68/hr	11.6
116	Winston, NC	58	$77,725	8.9	$49,240	$65/hr	6.8
117	Topeka, KS	58	$97,415	7.1	$75,090	$88/hr	2.7
118	Trenton, NJ	58	$82,129	5.2	$76,360	$90/hr	3.0
119	Waco, TX	58	$92,593	10.4	$57,550	$73/hr	4.8
120	Hartford, CT	58	$106,014	7.6	$77,190	$90/hr	1.3
121	Corvallis, OR	58	$74,636	3.1	$80,400	$93/hr	5.0
122	San Luis Obispo, CA	58	$105,470	9.0	$63,090	$78/hr	2.4
123	Chattanooga, TN	58	$89,110	10.0	$58,720	$74/hr	5.1
124	Salt Lake City, UT	58	$81,097	7.5	$64,800	$79/hr	6.0
125	Johnstown, PA	57	$97,980	6.8	$59,970	$75/hr	0.5
126	Lafayette, IN	57	$71,346	6.3	$62,780	$77/hr	17.9
127	Indianapolis, IN	57	$82,944	7.1	$76,980	$90/hr	5.4
128	Greeley, CO	57	$85,138	11.5	$59,350	$74/hr	8.5
129	Asheville, NC	57	$85,116	10.2	$59,200	$74/hr	7.8
130	South Bend, IN	57	$89,000	5.7	$74,190	$88/hr	2.3
131	Charlottesville, VA	57	$73,094	7.4	$56,510	$72/hr	9.5
132	Cincinnati, OH	57	$85,262	7.2	$65,160	$80/hr	3.2
133	Sioux City, IA	57	$85,356	7.7	$60,890	$76/hr	3.9
134	Killeen, TX	57	$78,742	8.8	$56,620	$72/hr	6.8
135	Lake Havasu City, AZ	57	$81,373	9.6	$58,520	$74/hr	8.2
136	Sebring, FL	57	$67,257	7.1	$50,650	$67/hr	7.3
137	State College, PA	56	$83,016	6.2	$57,560	$73/hr	2.0
138	Kahului, HI	56	$98,590	8.5	$77,610	$91/hr	5.5
139	Reno, NV	56	$73,895	5.3	$77,020	$90/hr	5.2
140	Modesto, CA	56	$87,721	7.0	$63,280	$78/hr	2.2
141	Bangor, ME	56	$102,509	12.0	$60,140	$75/hr	3.1
142	Anchorage, AK	55	$98,446	5.6	$93,600	$105/hr	0.7
143	Utica, NY	55	$93,224	5.9	$72,810	$86/hr	1.1
144	Denver, CO	55	$88,814	10.1	$63,900	$78/hr	5.3
145	Chambersburg, PA	55	$77,216	7.6	$60,200	$75/hr	6.6
146	Kalamazoo, MI	55	$90,662	5.0	$90,730	$102/hr	1.9
147	Jackson, TN	55	$97,032	10.2	$52,620	$68/hr	2.6
148	La Crosse, WI	55	$92,720	6.7	$82,610	$95/hr	2.8
149	Montgomery, AL	55	$89,777	8.4	$57,960	$73/hr	2.8
150	Ocala, FL	55	$69,145	9.1	$49,910	$66/hr	15.0
151	Rochester, MN	54	$81,109	5.3	$84,880	$97/hr	3.2
152	York, PA	54	$92,019	9.1	$70,100	$84/hr	3.4
153	Janesville, WI	54	$83,844	5.5	$79,070	$92/hr	2.4
154	Mansfield, OH	54	$87,236	6.6	$59,770	$75/hr	0.9
155	Traverse City, MI	54	$91,495	10.4	$63,100	$78/hr	5.2
156	Cheyenne, WY	54	$76,645	7.2	$61,470	$76/hr	5.5
157	Durham, NC	54	$72,627	8.1	$60,110	$75/hr	10.1
158	Rocky Mount, NC	54	$89,221	10.3	$56,220	$72/hr	3.7
159	San Francisco, CA	54	$92,422	5.7	$77,880	$91/hr	1.7
160	Des Moines, IA	53	$70,228	6.6	$75,040	$88/hr	8.5
161	Decatur, AL	53	$103,709	11.9	$59,920	$75/hr	2.6
162	Tucson, AZ	53	$79,259	8.1	$59,070	$74/hr	4.4
163	Minneapolis, MN	53	$79,785	5.4	$101,630	$112/hr	3.9
164	Hot Springs, AR	53	$102,172	13.0	$46,820	$63/hr	3.3
165	Grand Rapids, MI	53	$81,885	6.3	$80,440	$93/hr	3.7
166	Bakersfield, CA	53	$73,879	5.4	$66,450	$81/hr	3.5
167	Kingsport, TN	53	$85,048	8.8	$59,360	$74/hr	3.7
168	Manchester, NH	53	$117,814	11.4	$67,690	$82/hr	1.5
169	Manhattan, KS	53	$69,000	4.3	$60,600	$76/hr	3.7
170	Iowa City, IA	52	$63,521	5.5	$61,350	$76/hr	7.1
171	Springfield, MO	52	$84,806	9.5	$61,410	$76/hr	3.6
172	Glens Falls, NY	52	$102,762	8.3	$81,820	$94/hr	2.6
173	Atlantic City, NJ	52	$90,324	10.0	$64,220	$79/hr	4.3
174	Kiryas Joel, NY	52	$95,209	10.8	$64,990	$79/hr	3.1
175	Fayetteville, AR	52	$73,779	11.4	$52,100	$68/hr	15.5
176	Hattiesburg, MS	52	$92,347	8.8	$49,940	$66/hr	0.8
177	North Port, FL	52	$75,503	10.7	$58,150	$73/hr	19.8
178	Albany, NY	52	$86,463	6.6	$77,460	$91/hr	2.3
179	Dallas, TX	52	$81,603	12.0	$61,250	$76/hr	8.3
180	Salinas, CA	52	$80,945	5.5	$64,440	$79/hr	1.8
181	Santa Fe, NM	52	$91,396	11.3	$50,180	$66/hr	3.2
182	Coeur d'Alene, ID	52	$74,901	11.4	$50,270	$66/hr	9.4
183	Rochester, NY	52	$86,099	5.9	$73,580	$87/hr	1.7
184	Sioux Falls, SD	51	$64,752	7.4	$55,000	$71/hr	7.8
185	San Jose, CA	51	$89,027	5.8	$107,560	$117/hr	2.8
186	Provo, UT	51	$69,112	8.5	$57,130	$72/hr	10.2
187	Walla Walla, WA	51	$81,529	6.3	$70,390	$84/hr	2.6
188	Barnstable Town, MA	51	$115,371	21.2	$76,270	$90/hr	2.7
189	Florence, SC	51	$77,821	8.2	$56,160	$72/hr	4.5
190	Milwaukee, WI	51	$83,683	5.0	$84,700	$97/hr	2.0
191	Carson City, NV	51	$77,240	8.2	$64,040	$79/hr	9.8
192	Charlotte, NC	50	$72,418	9.0	$58,690	$74/hr	8.0
193	Charleston, WV	50	$81,409	5.7	$58,940	$74/hr	0.6
194	Lubbock, TX	50	$73,870	10.8	$48,950	$65/hr	8.0
195	Augusta, GA	50	$66,725	7.4	$54,690	$70/hr	6.6
196	Philadelphia, PA	50	$90,722	7.6	$74,860	$88/hr	2.1
197	Fort Smith, AR	50	$86,371	11.3	$48,350	$65/hr	2.9
198	Cape Girardeau, MO	50	$85,707	7.1	$65,180	$80/hr	1.0
199	Jefferson City, MO	50	$91,744	10.1	$49,560	$66/hr	1.4
200	Gulfport, MS	50	$79,272	9.7	$63,040	$78/hr	7.9
201	Honolulu, HI	49	$87,694	5.6	$81,120	$94/hr	1.4
202	Oxnard, CA	49	$89,662	8.3	$62,300	$77/hr	1.9
203	Kankakee, IL	49	$85,333	5.1	$81,620	$94/hr	1.1
204	San Diego, CA	49	$82,078	7.1	$72,510	$86/hr	3.6
205	Fayetteville, NC	49	$64,208	6.5	$51,740	$68/hr	5.4
206	Harrisonburg, VA	49	$65,793	7.4	$52,290	$68/hr	6.2
207	Valdosta, GA	49	$66,213	8.3	$46,070	$63/hr	6.0
208	Youngstown, OH	48	$80,734	6.1	$59,680	$75/hr	0.7
209	Riverside, CA	48	$79,613	8.4	$63,920	$78/hr	3.4
210	Bozeman, MT	48	$86,333	14.5	$81,310	$94/hr	12.4
211	Tallahassee, FL	48	$54,879	6.2	$48,540	$65/hr	7.0
212	Little Rock, AR	48	$77,814	10.8	$49,190	$65/hr	4.1
213	Richmond, VA	48	$72,533	8.6	$61,480	$76/hr	6.8
214	Elmira, NY	48	$82,080	6.1	$64,680	$79/hr	1.2
215	Worcester, MA	47	$99,720	10.0	$82,260	$95/hr	1.9
216	Yakima, WA	47	$65,341	4.4	$60,900	$76/hr	2.8
217	Slidell, LA	47	$82,512	13.1	$58,750	$74/hr	4.0
218	Greenville, NC	47	$63,789	7.5	$57,080	$72/hr	7.3
219	Port St. Lucie, FL	47	$70,357	12.8	$50,990	$67/hr	9.3
220	Davenport, IA	47	$79,144	4.8	$76,310	$90/hr	1.6
221	Hickory, NC	47	$63,893	8.1	$51,330	$67/hr	8.5
222	Logan, UT	47	$67,148	8.3	$60,390	$75/hr	7.6
223	Oklahoma City, OK	47	$78,300	11.0	$59,150	$74/hr	5.9
224	Muskegon, MI	47	$77,323	5.9	$76,290	$90/hr	2.6
225	Syracuse, NY	47	$73,514	5.5	$67,040	$81/hr	3.1
226	Atlanta, GA	46	$78,563	11.7	$58,380	$74/hr	5.4
227	Bloomington, IN	46	$56,268	5.2	$96,980	$108/hr	7.8
228	Sebastian, FL	46	$76,305	8.1	$55,900	$71/hr	1.5
229	Abilene, TX	46	$73,664	11.0	$51,790	$68/hr	6.4
230	Erie, PA	46	$79,816	5.6	$66,410	$81/hr	0.9
231	Columbus, GA	46	$74,235	7.3	$47,410	$64/hr	1.9
232	Dalton, GA	46	$73,054	9.5	$47,370	$64/hr	3.8
233	Deltona, FL	46	$66,606	9.9	$50,490	$67/hr	7.7
234	Palm Bay, FL	46	$67,144	8.3	$59,780	$75/hr	7.3
235	Jacksonville, NC	46	$60,383	7.3	$53,230	$69/hr	6.6
236	Flint, MI	46	$86,885	6.4	$80,510	$93/hr	1.1
237	Fort Collins, CO	46	$77,340	10.6	$60,610	$76/hr	6.6
238	Kenosha, WI	46	$69,703	5.7	$77,340	$90/hr	5.3
239	Missoula, MT	46	$78,184	8.7	$79,750	$93/hr	7.1
240	Midland, MI	45	$73,364	5.5	$63,930	$79/hr	1.5
241	Lafayette, LA	45	$75,167	9.5	$57,930	$73/hr	5.0
242	Ithaca, NY	45	$63,038	4.6	$64,460	$79/hr	4.5
243	Kansas City, MO	45	$75,407	7.5	$76,150	$89/hr	4.5
244	Lebanon, PA	45	$72,055	7.4	$62,660	$77/hr	3.8
245	Jackson, MI	45	$85,048	6.8	$81,930	$95/hr	1.9
246	Scranton, PA	45	$81,536	7.7	$61,160	$76/hr	1.1
247	Dubuque, IA	45	$77,375	8.1	$61,380	$76/hr	3.4
248	Fort Wayne, IN	45	$73,219	7.0	$77,110	$90/hr	3.6
249	Omaha, NE	45	$63,943	7.0	$63,400	$78/hr	6.5
250	New Haven, CT	45	$90,090	8.5	$77,620	$91/hr	1.8
251	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY	45	$76,403	7.6	$74,680	$88/hr	4.4
252	Hammond, LA	45	$73,598	11.5	$57,910	$73/hr	8.5
253	Toledo, OH	44	$77,106	5.6	$66,920	$81/hr	0.8
254	Twin Falls, ID	44	$63,981	9.0	$50,700	$67/hr	5.6
255	Tuscaloosa, AL	44	$75,757	7.8	$59,530	$75/hr	2.2
256	Fargo, ND	44	$50,340	6.1	$63,350	$78/hr	5.8
257	Canton, OH	44	$76,557	6.9	$59,960	$75/hr	1.6
258	Pinehurst, NC	44	$51,553	8.0	$48,440	$65/hr	10.3
259	Lexington, KY	44	$75,152	9.1	$61,870	$77/hr	4.5
260	Sierra Vista, AZ	44	$69,449	7.4	$55,690	$71/hr	3.7
261	Cape Coral, FL	44	$68,079	20.0	$51,690	$68/hr	16.6
262	Wichita, KS	44	$67,427	7.3	$60,940	$76/hr	4.8
263	Fairbanks, AK	44	$103,600	7.8	$96,670	$108/hr	0.3
264	Houston, TX	44	$74,123	13.3	$61,300	$76/hr	8.7
265	Altoona, PA	43	$83,760	7.9	$61,430	$76/hr	0.7
266	Hanford, CA	43	$58,667	3.8	$62,860	$78/hr	3.3
267	St. Louis, MO	43	$77,828	6.4	$77,000	$90/hr	2.2
268	Lewiston, ME	43	$81,534	13.8	$62,140	$77/hr	4.0
269	Las Vegas, NV	43	$59,190	7.1	$59,700	$75/hr	6.2
270	Raleigh, NC	43	$63,225	9.1	$60,540	$75/hr	11.8
271	Champaign, IL	43	$61,326	4.6	$95,530	$107/hr	3.8
272	Binghamton, NY	43	$77,169	5.1	$87,990	$100/hr	1.9
273	Waterbury, CT	43	$97,661	10.3	$76,880	$90/hr	1.1
274	Boston, MA	42	$101,238	10.2	$96,760	$108/hr	2.0
275	Longview, TX	42	$78,727	9.1	$54,320	$70/hr	1.0
276	Baltimore, MD	42	$78,745	7.9	$63,200	$78/hr	2.0
277	Dayton, OH	41	$72,133	7.3	$62,940	$78/hr	2.4
278	Mobile, AL	41	$79,912	9.3	$59,410	$74/hr	2.7
279	Jacksonville, FL	41	$52,115	7.6	$58,920	$74/hr	8.0
280	Pittsburgh, PA	41	$80,602	8.0	$70,100	$84/hr	2.4
281	Kingston, NY	41	$91,101	12.1	$70,190	$84/hr	2.4
282	Lakeland, FL	40	$53,711	9.1	$51,220	$67/hr	10.4
283	Springfield, IL	40	$82,623	6.4	$94,370	$106/hr	1.1
284	Lynchburg, VA	40	$69,000	8.8	$57,210	$73/hr	4.2
285	Pittsfield, MA	40	$106,988	11.9	$81,970	$95/hr	1.2
286	Racine, WI	40	$71,729	6.9	$77,070	$90/hr	3.4
287	Virginia Beach, VA	39	$71,896	7.4	$61,870	$77/hr	2.2
288	Los Angeles, CA	39	$82,841	8.5	$71,110	$85/hr	2.1
289	Houma, LA	39	$77,650	9.8	$55,240	$71/hr	2.9
290	Fresno, CA	39	$55,218	5.5	$64,400	$79/hr	3.0
291	Winchester, VA	39	$62,863	8.7	$57,760	$73/hr	6.2
292	Sumter, SC	39	$67,295	8.3	$50,840	$67/hr	3.4
293	Albuquerque, NM	39	$69,653	7.4	$63,900	$78/hr	3.1
294	Prescott Valley, AZ	39	$69,032	11.4	$58,670	$74/hr	7.0
295	Punta Gorda, FL	39	$61,790	10.8	$55,490	$71/hr	15.0
296	Burlington, NC	38	$64,679	13.3	$56,890	$72/hr	11.5
297	Roanoke, VA	38	$65,219	7.8	$51,700	$68/hr	2.8
298	Birmingham, AL	38	$77,136	10.6	$60,090	$75/hr	3.6
299	Longview, WA	38	$49,750	5.1	$80,710	$93/hr	2.7
300	Springfield, MA	38	$80,738	6.6	$92,080	$104/hr	0.7
301	Florence, AL	38	$76,679	10.3	$60,590	$76/hr	2.6
302	Paducah, KY	38	$91,212	9.2	$82,120	$95/hr	1.7
303	Ogden, UT	38	$62,067	8.1	$64,860	$79/hr	5.5
304	Waterloo, IA	37	$55,250	5.8	$62,200	$77/hr	3.3
305	Vineland, NJ	37	$67,744	5.3	$77,060	$90/hr	0.9
306	Grand Junction, CO	37	$72,547	11.6	$61,430	$76/hr	5.1
307	Panama City, FL	37	$51,229	10.3	$47,800	$64/hr	10.8
308	Daphne, AL	37	$62,570	11.8	$57,080	$72/hr	10.8
309	San Antonio, TX	37	$72,488	13.2	$58,180	$73/hr	4.0
310	Saginaw, MI	37	$77,466	6.5	$80,440	$93/hr	1.1
311	Elkhart, IN	36	$61,258	6.9	$64,730	$79/hr	3.8
312	Yuma, AZ	36	$52,102	8.2	$58,980	$74/hr	5.5
313	Flagstaff, AZ	36	$63,724	7.8	$58,520	$74/hr	4.4
314	Evansville, IN	36	$49,483	5.5	$73,190	$87/hr	3.0
315	Buffalo, NY	36	$66,509	5.0	$72,230	$86/hr	1.3
316	Akron, OH	36	$66,579	5.7	$63,450	$78/hr	1.1
317	Texarkana, TX	36	$74,029	10.1	$48,480	$65/hr	2.0
318	Tyler, TX	36	$69,883	11.3	$49,060	$65/hr	2.2
319	Macon, GA	36	$66,807	9.1	$48,110	$64/hr	2.2
320	Tampa, FL	35	$61,783	11.7	$52,000	$68/hr	6.9
321	Monroe, LA	35	$75,585	9.7	$55,670	$71/hr	2.4
322	Cedar Rapids, IA	35	$49,803	5.9	$83,210	$96/hr	3.6
323	Monroe, MI	35	$69,133	6.0	$80,700	$93/hr	1.2
324	Rockford, IL	34	$73,658	6.4	$94,230	$106/hr	1.1
325	Grand Forks, ND	34	$63,100	6.7	$62,940	$78/hr	2.2
326	Niles, MI	34	$68,571	7.8	$59,810	$75/hr	2.4
327	Pueblo, CO	34	$75,517	8.3	$64,700	$79/hr	1.3
328	Naples, FL	34	$64,252	13.7	$57,830	$73/hr	6.9
329	Washington, DC	34	$73,678	9.2	$71,860	$86/hr	2.8
330	Casper, WY	33	$70,000	8.5	$62,050	$77/hr	2.5
331	Alexandria, LA	33	$78,126	10.4	$57,470	$73/hr	1.8
332	Owensboro, KY	33	$66,952	7.6	$64,310	$79/hr	2.3
333	Lansing, MI	33	$62,906	6.1	$78,190	$91/hr	1.8
334	Lancaster, PA	33	$76,087	10.5	$61,950	$77/hr	2.3
335	Greensboro, NC	33	$62,059	9.5	$57,510	$73/hr	4.9
336	Cleveland, OH	33	$69,110	7.5	$63,020	$78/hr	1.9
337	Amarillo, TX	32	$63,640	9.4	$55,970	$71/hr	3.7
338	Baton Rouge, LA	32	$70,744	10.1	$74,240	$88/hr	4.9
339	Michigan City, IN	32	$63,368	6.5	$82,200	$95/hr	2.6
340	Wichita Falls, TX	32	$70,670	9.8	$49,210	$65/hr	1.1
341	Columbus, IN	32	$59,774	7.1	$85,930	$98/hr	2.2
342	Orlando, FL	32	$54,517	11.6	$55,380	$71/hr	10.0
343	Gadsden, AL	32	$76,874	15.7	$47,350	$64/hr	1.2
344	McAllen, TX	32	$52,782	13.0	$46,110	$63/hr	8.2
345	Lima, OH	31	$58,364	5.6	$61,160	$76/hr	1.5
346	Peoria, IL	31	$68,229	5.8	$85,090	$97/hr	0.6
347	Weirton, WV	31	$61,226	5.1	$64,100	$79/hr	0.1
348	Anniston, AL	30	$69,294	8.4	$56,850	$72/hr	1.2
349	Santa Cruz, CA	30	$68,056	7.2	$68,130	$82/hr	1.8
350	Brownsville, TX	30	$55,876	11.7	$46,850	$63/hr	6.3
351	Huntington, WV	30	$64,543	6.4	$62,160	$77/hr	0.8
352	Kokomo, IN	30	$64,519	6.3	$91,470	$103/hr	1.3
353	Detroit, MI	30	$69,098	7.5	$86,370	$99/hr	2.0
354	Sandusky, OH	30	$64,362	7.4	$65,780	$80/hr	2.8
355	New Orleans, LA	29	$78,231	10.5	$62,450	$77/hr	1.7
356	Decatur, IL	29	$58,957	4.9	$76,750	$90/hr	0.4
357	Battle Creek, MI	29	$58,854	5.6	$73,900	$87/hr	0.9
358	Lake Charles, LA	29	$69,922	8.0	$67,990	$82/hr	2.2
359	Chicago, IL	29	$78,461	8.5	$103,380	$114/hr	1.7
360	Shreveport, LA	29	$71,218	10.0	$59,720	$75/hr	2.7
361	Bay City, MI	28	$43,966	4.8	$74,490	$88/hr	0.7
362	Lawton, OK	28	$49,820	6.7	$51,870	$68/hr	1.6
363	Las Cruces, NM	28	$47,763	8.6	$54,560	$70/hr	3.7
364	Wheeling, WV	27	$25,800	3.8	$64,060	$79/hr	0.0
365	Parkersburg, WV	27	$46,432	5.8	$49,580	$66/hr	1.1
366	St. Joseph, MO	27	$68,562	7.2	$68,290	$82/hr	0.5
367	Memphis, TN	27	$69,526	10.4	$58,690	$74/hr	2.5
368	Jackson, MS	25	$67,367	10.5	$57,160	$72/hr	2.6
369	Ames, IA	25	$51,552	8.4	$63,820	$78/hr	3.1
370	El Centro, CA	25	$49,216	6.8	$62,390	$77/hr	1.3
371	Corpus Christi, TX	23	$62,546	13.5	$59,390	$74/hr	4.7
372	Albany, GA	23	$41,915	6.8	$47,700	$64/hr	1.3
373	Great Falls, MT	23	$55,241	8.5	$77,100	$90/hr	3.0
374	New York, NY	23	$68,348	9.3	$78,610	$92/hr	2.2
375	Laredo, TX	23	$47,891	13.9	$46,350	$63/hr	5.0
376	Providence, RI	23	$70,381	9.8	$79,820	$93/hr	1.7
377	Miami, FL	21	$57,030	21.3	$57,760	$73/hr	3.8
378	Lexington Park, MD	20	$64,152	12.7	$57,700	$73/hr	2.1
379	Beaumont, TX	19	$56,186	9.7	$62,220	$77/hr	2.4
380	Victoria, TX	18	$62,400	11.3	$60,320	$75/hr	1.9
381	El Paso, TX	17	$58,238	13.5	$53,560	$69/hr	2.3
382	Enid, OK	17	$62,161	9.5	$56,860	$72/hr	0.3
383	San Angelo, TX	15	$41,688	10.5	$48,050	$64/hr	2.8

How to read this

Revenue is what one-person businesses take in before expenses, not take-home pay. A high figure with lots of competitors per resident usually means a busy but crowded market; a lower figure with few competitors can mean room to grow. Business counts come from the Census Nonemployer Statistics (2024) and County Business Patterns (2023), grouped as “plumbing & HVAC contracting”, so they include some firms outside the trade itself.

For pay as an employee in any of these cities, see the plumber salary overview or the best cities for plumbers to work.

Census Nonemployer Statistics 2024; County Business Patterns 2023; Census Building Permits 2025; Census population estimates; BLS OEWS May 2025. Our data

Best cities to start a plumber business