Is plumbing the highest paid trade?

Author: Antoinette Hammes  |  Last update: Thursday, March 27, 2025

The highest-paying skilled trade is often aircraft mechanics, with experienced professionals earning upwards of $100,000 annually. Electricians and plumbers also rank highly, especially in urban areas with high living costs.

What trade is the highest paid?

Top 10 Highest Paying Trades
  1. Respiratory Therapist. Median Annual Salary: $104,437.
  2. Ultrasonographer. Median Annual Salary: $101,480.
  3. Construction Managers. Median Annual Salary: $88,319.
  4. Aircraft Mechanic and Technician. Median Annual Salary: $82,470.
  5. Dental Hygienists. ...
  6. Cable Technician. ...
  7. Industrial Mechanic. ...
  8. Solar Installer.

What is the highest paying plumbing job?

High Paying Plumbing Jobs
  • Plumbing Engineer. Salary range: $85,000-$107,000 per year. ...
  • Plumbing Designer. Salary range: $75,500-$99,000 per year. ...
  • Master Plumber. Salary range: $61,500-$92,500 per year. ...
  • Plumbing Foreman. ...
  • Licensed Plumber. ...
  • Residential Plumber. ...
  • Journeyman Plumber. ...
  • Construction Plumber.

What is the highest paying type of plumbing job?

Plumbers who are experienced in commercial plumbing and industrial piping tend to make the highest salaries. In addition, plumbers with expertise in underground pipe installation, backflow prevention, and water line installation can command higher wages than those who focus on residential projects.

Is plumbing a good paying trade?

Earning Potential: Plumbers can earn a competitive salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for plumbers was around $56000 in 2022, with experienced plumbers earning significantly more.

Top Paying Trades Jobs of 2025

Can plumbers make 6 figures?

You must spend four years as a plumbing apprentice to become a journeyman, earning an average of $81,000 annually. It takes two additional years of training to become a master plumber and command an average of $102,350 annually.

What trade makes more, HVAC or plumbing?

Plumbers make a little more than HVAC Techs on average. The national average for plumbers is $55,000, and for HVAC techs it is $48,000. Some people do both, and the average salary for them is $60,000. Plumbers and HVAC technicians have comparable salaries.

Can a plumber make 200k a year?

Our Plumbing Service Tech - Residential Plumber earns top pay of up to $200,000 per year, depending on work experience. The typical work schedule for this position is Monday-Friday with some weekends…

Can you make 100000 as a plumber?

Plumbers can expect to earn anywhere from $29,500 on the low end to $100,000 on the high end.

Who gets paid more plumber or electrician?

On average, plumbers make $55,600 per year , only slightly less than electricians. Similarly, their salary can vary based on their location, employer and level of experience. According to the BLS, employment of plumbers may grow 2% by 2031, which is slower than the rate of electricians and other occupations.

Can a plumber be a millionaire?

With the right combination of business savvy, financial planning, and long-term strategy, plumbers have positioned themselves as the next class of millionaires.

Why are plumbers so highly paid?

Plumbers are compensated for their expertise, training, and the essential nature of their work. Additionally, the costs of tools, certifications, and emergency availability contribute to the price.

What do most plumbers charge per hour?

The average plumbing contractor hourly rate will greatly depend on the level of expertise you're hiring.
  • Master plumber: $90 to $200 per hour.
  • Journeyman plumber: $70 to $120 per hour.
  • Apprentice plumber: $45 to $90 per hour.

What trade makes 100000 a year?

On average, many construction managers, electricians, and welders earn more than $100,000 per year. For the trades skills, there is no necessity for two years or less of advanced education. You can place yourself on the path to earning over six figures.

What is the #1 best paying job?

Get Matched!
  • Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Psychiatrist. #2 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Emergency Medicine Physician. #3 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Orthodontist. #4 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Anesthesiologist. #5 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #6 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Radiologist. ...
  • Pilot.

What is the hardest trade to work?

Electricians consistently rank as having one of the hardest trades to master. The electrical profession involves understanding complex electrical systems, staying up-to-date with ever-changing regulations, and working with potentially dangerous voltages.

Is plumbing one of the hardest jobs?

While plumbing is nowhere near the most dangerous occupation, plumbers do risk their health, well-being, and even lives when: Making strenuous and repetitive hand motions. Treading on wet, slippery floors. Climbing high heights.

Is plumbing a high income skill?

In fact, the average annual salary for a licensed plumber in California is over $60,000, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. High demand, combined with the ability to work on both residential and commercial projects, means a steady stream of work and a rewarding career.

Which trade makes the most money?

It is no surprise that the highest-paying trades are in the fields of infrastructure and construction, advanced mechanics, and engineering. Trades in these industries pay at least $50k annually, with demand increasing as few high school students enter trade programs.

Is plumbing a lucrative trade?

High Earning Potential for Plumbers

While the salary for plumber helpers only averages $28,460 per year, the annual salary for licensed plumbers is nearly double that at $49,140. In addition, the top 10 percent of plumbers in the U.S. earned more than $84,440 annually.

What is a master plumber?

A master plumber, or plumbing contractor, is a professional tradesperson at the highest level in plumbing. They're journey-level plumbers who pass their state-level exam after working for a set amount of time. Like regular plumbers, master plumbers install and maintain pipes.

Is there a plumber shortage?

Is There a Plumber Shortage? A simple answer: Yes. Putting it into context: We've covered how skilled trades have been in high demand, driven in large part by labor shortages across the industry (job openings outpacing job seekers).

Do plumbers make more than electricians?

Electrician vs plumber: Salary

Electricians and plumbers earn similar wages, with an average annual income of $60,000 for electricians and $59,000 for plumbers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Can HVAC make 6 figures?

If your goal is to make six figures while working as an HVAC tech, it is definitely within reach.

Which trade is the easiest to learn?

Some trades that are generally considered easy to learn include HVAC, plumbing, phlebotomy, and medical assisting.

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