Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.2% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical plumber in District of Columbia earns about $83,875 a year, which makes that rent 36.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in District of Columbia (~$83,875/yr) supports up to $2,097 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $435/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $40 an hour, a plumber in District of Columbia works roughly 62.8 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.