Plumbing, heating, and cooling professionals are always in high demand. After all, homes and commercial buildings have plumbing and HVAC systems that need to be serviced regularly. Plumbers are always in demand due to the overall shortage of tradespeople.
If you're considering a career as a plumber, it's important to know which states have the highest demand for your skills. California is one of the top states in need of plumbers. With its large population and booming construction industry, there's a constant need for plumbing services.
Plumbers, like many trades, will continue to be in high demand. In 2022, a lack of licensed tradespeople “who install and fix bathroom fixtures and piping systems drained $33 billion from the economy,” a report from bathroom-fittings maker Lixil found (via Morning Brew).
You can definitely make $100k plus a year in industrial and commercial plumbing and pipe fitting, especially once you've completed your apprenticeship.
You might be surprised by this new class of millionaires: Plumbers and HVAC entrepreneurs. How are they doing this? Private equity firms across the country are scooping up plumbing and HVAC businesses and offering them 7 or 8 figure buyouts.
Salary and job outlook
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.
The average annual salary for a carpenter according to Indeed Salaries is $53,184 , while the average annual salary for a plumber can vary depending on experience and ranges from $39,464 to $50,899 .
The rise of smart home technology extends to plumbing in 2024 with the introduction of intelligent plumbing systems. These systems are equipped with sensors and advanced controls that allow homeowners to monitor water usage, detect leaks, and even adjust water temperature remotely through smartphone apps.
Electricians and plumbers face steep learning curves due to the complexity of systems they work with. Roofers deal with extreme physical demands, while miners in Australia tackle harsh conditions and isolation. Each of these can be considered a highly difficult trade to learn and execute effectively.
Best-Paying Cities for Plumbers
The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the plumber profession are San Jose, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston.
Job Outlook
Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 43,300 openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Plumbing is not a dead-end job. There is always room to gain more training and specialties in order to land higher-paying jobs and work.
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…
What Is The Average Age Of A Plumber? The average age of a male plumber in the United States is 41 years old, based on information from Data USA. Meanwhile, the typical age of a female service plumber is 40 years old.
Job Security
Because plumbing is essential, plumbers are rarely out of work. People will always need their services, whether for emergencies, upgrades, or new installations. This makes plumbing one of the more stable career options, especially during uncertain economic times.
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.
More Than Just a Pipe Dream
While AI promises greater efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability, it's not likely robots will come to our door instead of the local plumber.
In today's rapidly evolving economy, there's a surprising group of professionals who are quietly joining the ranks of millionaires: plumbers.
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.
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.
The best Plumbing jobs can pay up to $107,000 per year.
These are typically for industrial operations, such as at manufacturing or power plants or gas pipelines. Steamfitters perform similar jobs, installing, maintaining and repairing piping that carries steam or other pressurized materials.