Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Federal Way, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.9% of gross income.

Federal Way rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Federal Way median rent
$1,935/mo
Plumber salary (Washington)
$75,152/yr
Rent as % of income
30.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,263, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,879/mo in rent. Federal Way's median rent of $1,935 exceeds that threshold by $56/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 53.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

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.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Federal Way, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Silverdale, WA
$1,934/mo (30.9% of income)
Des Moines, WA
$1,934/mo (30.9% of income)
Oak Harbor, WA
$1,934/mo (30.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Federal Way

View full rent data for Federal Way, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Federal Way, WA?

Median rent in Federal Way is $1,935 a month. A typical plumber in Washington earns about $75,152 a year, which makes that rent 30.9% 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 Federal Way?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Washington (~$75,152/yr) supports up to $1,879 a month in rent. Federal Way's current median rent is $1,935/mo, which is $56/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Federal Way?

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a plumber in Washington works roughly 53.6 hours a month to cover Federal Way's median rent of $1,935.

Where is rent cheaper than Federal Way for a plumber?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Silverdale ($1,934/mo), Des Moines ($1,934/mo), Oak Harbor ($1,934/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Federal Way, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.