How much plumbers make
Average pay $72,170 (all experience levels), median $63,800, entry-level / bottom 10% $44,150. Plumbers install and repair the water supply, drain, waste and gas lines in homes, offices, schools and hospitals, and most states license them. Plumbers share one federal occupation code with pipefitters and steamfitters (SOC 47-2152), so the pay figures here cover all three. Most plumbers train through a paid 4- or 5-year apprenticeship.
- $72,170Average across all experience levels (U.S.)
- $44,150Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $63,800Median pay (U.S.)
- $108,420Top 10% earn over
465,840 jobs nationwide · 2,960 listed programs · Job outlook: +6.8% projected employment change 2025–35 (all occupations: +3.5%), about 42,000 openings a year · Trades that pay $100k+
Highest-paying states (median pay)
Pay by percentile
What plumbers earn
Plumbers in the United States earned an average of $72,170 a year, with a median of $63,800; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $44,150 and the top 10% earned more than $108,420.
Annual wages for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152), by percentile.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $44,150 | $50,190 | $63,800 | $85,110 | $108,420 | $72,170 | 465,840 |
Shared BLS code: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are one occupation in BLS data (SOC 47-2152), so every pay figure on this page is for all three. BLS does not publish a plumber-only wage. State pages for this code live under our pipefitter & steamfitter pages.
Pay ladder
Plumber pay per hour and per year
Every step of the national pay distribution for plumbers, annual and hourly, from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. The top 10% earn more than $108,420, $64,270 above the entry-level / bottom 10% figure of $44,150. BLS does not track years of experience, so these are spreads across all workers, not a guaranteed raise schedule.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level / bottom 10% (10th percentile) | $44,150 | $21.22 | Nine in ten workers earn more than this; the closest federal figure to starting pay. |
| 25th percentile | $50,190 | $24.13 | A quarter of workers earn less than this. |
| Median (50th percentile) | $63,800 | $30.67 | Half earn more, half earn less. The typical worker. |
| 75th percentile | $85,110 | $40.92 | A quarter of workers earn more than this. |
| Top 10% (90th percentile) | $108,420 | $52.13 | One in ten workers earns more than this. |
| Average (mean) across all experience levels | $72,170 | $34.70 | Pulled up by high earners, so it sits above the median. |
By state
Where the plumbing jobs are: the 15 largest states
The 15 states below hold 293,830 of the 467,130 jobs in this BLS occupation (63%). State medians run from $31,620 in Puerto Rico to $101,020 in District of Columbia. Because BLS reports plumbers together with pipefitters and steamfitters, each state figure covers all three; the full ranking of every state, with averages and the bottom and top 10%, is on the shared-code state pages linked below.
| # | State | Jobs | Jobs per 1,000 | Hourly median | Median per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 47,660 | 2.62 | $35.01 | $72,830 |
| 2 | Texas | 44,090 | 3.13 | $28.77 | $59,840 |
| 3 | Florida | 29,260 | 2.95 | $25.44 | $52,910 |
| 4 | New York | 23,210 | 2.40 | $37.26 | $77,490 |
| 5 | Illinois | 16,750 | 2.75 | $48.05 | $99,950 |
| 6 | Ohio | 16,390 | 2.95 | $30.45 | $63,330 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 14,510 | 2.94 | $27.44 | $57,080 |
| 8 | Michigan | 14,120 | 3.21 | $38.56 | $80,190 |
| 9 | Virginia | 13,780 | 3.35 | $29.07 | $60,470 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 13,620 | 2.25 | $32.73 | $68,080 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 13,460 | 3.70 | $45.14 | $93,880 |
| 12 | Washington | 12,470 | 3.51 | $38.96 | $81,030 |
| 13 | Arizona | 11,810 | 3.65 | $29.84 | $62,070 |
| 14 | Maryland | 11,420 | 4.13 | $31.44 | $65,400 |
| 15 | Indiana | 11,280 | 3.52 | $36.69 | $76,320 |
Metro areas
Plumbing job markets: largest and most concentrated metros
BLS publishes SOC 47-2152 estimates for 387 metro areas. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has the most jobs (21,040); among metros with 500+ jobs, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA has the highest share of local employment. The highest-paying metros for this code are listed on our pipefitter & steamfitter page.
Most jobs
| Metro area | Jobs | Per 1,000 jobs | Location quotient | Hourly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 21,040 | 2.22 | 0.74 | $37.79 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 15,690 | 2.50 | 0.84 | $34.19 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 12,750 | 2.83 | 0.94 | $49.70 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 11,980 | 2.96 | 0.99 | $29.45 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 10,980 | 3.34 | 1.11 | $29.47 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 9,420 | 3.00 | 1.00 | $34.55 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 9,270 | 3.90 | 1.30 | $30.65 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 9,200 | 3.40 | 1.14 | $46.52 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 7,150 | 2.47 | 0.82 | $35.99 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 6,730 | 3.45 | 1.15 | $48.86 |
Highest concentration (500+ jobs)
| Metro area | Jobs | Per 1,000 jobs | Location quotient | Hourly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 1,040 | 11.14 | 3.72 | $39.89 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 830 | 7.96 | 2.66 | $43.38 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | 1,240 | 7.81 | 2.61 | $30.31 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 1,250 | 7.64 | 2.55 | $29.92 |
| Appleton, WI | 890 | 7.15 | 2.39 | $44.11 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 870 | 7.13 | 2.38 | $43.62 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 870 | 6.91 | 2.31 | $37.01 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 2,790 | 6.81 | 2.27 | $35.69 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 640 | 6.77 | 2.26 | $36.67 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 5,100 | 6.68 | 2.23 | $29.75 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates metropolitan-area file. Figures cover plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters together.
Who hires
Who hires plumbers: contractors, builders and public employers
Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors are by far the biggest employer type: 330,570 jobs, 71% of the occupation, at a median of $63,010. Homebuilders (residential building construction) employ 6,370, at a median of $63,310. Local governments, which run water, sewer and public buildings, employ 11,480 at a median of $66,200. Schools, colleges and hospitals together employ 8,800 (building and facility work). BLS reports pay by industry, not by company, and these rows cover all of SOC 47-2152, including pipefitters and steamfitters.
| Employer type | Jobs | Share of SOC 47-2152 | Hourly median | Median per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (NAICS 23822) | 330,570 | 71.0% | $30.30 | $63,010 |
| Residential Building Construction (NAICS 2361) | 6,370 | 1.4% | $30.44 | $63,310 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction (NAICS 2362) | 10,790 | 2.3% | $34.24 | $71,220 |
| Utility System Construction (NAICS 2371) | 14,960 | 3.2% | $29.52 | $61,400 |
| Natural Gas Distribution (NAICS 2212) | 4,430 | 1.0% | $46.19 | $96,080 |
| Local government (excl. schools and hospitals) (NAICS 9993) | 11,480 | 2.5% | $31.83 | $66,200 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (NAICS 6113) | 3,850 | 0.8% | $32.96 | $68,570 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools (NAICS 6111) | 2,610 | 0.6% | $31.36 | $65,220 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (NAICS 6221) | 2,340 | 0.5% | $36.90 | $76,750 |
| Employment Services (NAICS 5613) | 6,110 | 1.3% | $27.29 | $56,760 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 industry-specific estimates. Selected building-side employer types; the full industry table for this code is on the pipefitter & steamfitter page. Industry estimates exclude the self-employed. “—” means BLS did not publish the figure.
How to become one
How to become a plumber
“Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some also attend vocational-technical school. Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed.”
- Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. “Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed.”
- Education. “A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to become a plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter.”
- Training. “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn their trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship.”
Quoted from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: How to Become One (last modified 2026-10-29).
Training facts
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Typical on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| O*NET job zone | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Registered apprenticeship sponsors we matched | 2,699 (DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file) |
| School programs we matched | 261 (NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions) |
Education and training categories: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Training & tuition
What training costs
Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”
| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with published tuition (261) | $544 | $4,575 | $53,635 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
| Registered apprenticeship sponsors (2699) | Contact program | Not published in the DOL file. Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs with related classroom instruction. | ||
Occupation profile
| O*NET-SOC code | 47-2152.00 |
|---|---|
| O*NET title | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters |
| BLS SOC | 47-2152 |
| Job zone | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Plumbing Installer |
Typical tasks (O*NET)
- Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
- Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
Training
Schools and apprenticeships in the U.S.
We matched 2,960 plumber training options in the U.S.: 261 school programs in the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (2,851 graduates that year) and 2,699 registered apprenticeship sponsors in the DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file. Published annual tuition and fees at 261 of the schools range from $544 to $53,635 (College Scorecard). This site covers pay and careers; the school and apprenticeship directory lives on our sister site.
Veterans can compare gI Bill-approved plumbing programs on VeteranTradeSchools.com.
Job outlook
Plumber job outlook, 2025–35
National employment projections from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Openings include jobs from growth plus workers who retire or change occupations. Across all occupations, employment is projected to change +3.5%.
| Occupation | Jobs 2025 | Projected 2035 | Change | Openings per year | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (47-2152) | 510,600 | 545,200 | +6.8% | 42,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
FAQ
Plumber pay and training: quick answers
How much do plumbers make?
Plumbers in the United States earned an average of $72,170 a year, with a median of $63,800; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $44,150 and the top 10% earned more than $108,420.
What is entry-level pay for plumbers?
BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $44,150 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. The median is $63,800.
Which states pay plumbers the most?
By BLS average annual wage, the top states are Oregon ($98,450), Illinois ($93,400), New Jersey ($92,590), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates.
How many plumber training programs are listed?
We list 2,960 in 52 states: 261 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (2,851 graduates that year) and 2,699 registered apprenticeship sponsors from the DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file. Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.
How much does plumber training cost?
For the 261 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $544 to $53,635 (middle $4,575). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.
Is plumber a growing field?
BLS projects employment of plumbers to change +6.8% from 2025 to 2035, versus +3.5% for all occupations, with about 42,000 openings a year from growth and replacement. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
How much do plumbers make an hour?
The national median is $30.67 an hour; the bottom 10% earn under $21.22 and the top 10% over $52.13 (BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates). The average across all experience levels is $34.70.
Is plumber pay different from pipefitter pay?
Not in federal data. BLS counts plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters as one occupation (SOC 47-2152), so the national median of $63,800 and every state and metro figure apply to all three. BLS does not publish a plumber-only wage (BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates).
Do plumbers need a license?
Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed. (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, last modified 2026-10-29.)
Who employs most plumbers?
Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors: 330,570 of the 465,840 jobs in SOC 47-2152, at a median of $63,010 (BLS OEWS May 2025 industry-specific estimates).
Where are plumbers most in demand?
By location quotient (share of local jobs versus the national share), Guam (1.61), Louisiana (1.44), Maine (1.41) have the highest concentration of plumbers (BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates).
How do you become a plumber?
Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some also attend vocational-technical school. Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed. (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, last modified 2026-10-29.)
Sources
Figures as of BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (released 2026-05-15) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 (released 2026-08-27).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-04.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 47-2152.00 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, retrieved 2026-11-04 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
- Pay by employer type: BLS OEWS May 2025 industry-specific estimates, released 2026-05-15 (national industry-specific and ownership files).
- Projections & training categories: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, released 2026-08-27 (Table 1.2).
- How to become one: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, last modified 2026-10-29, accessed 2026-11-04.
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades Data Team; last refreshed 2026-11-04.