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Plumbers are essential to keeping our water flowing and gas lines functioning properly in our homes and businesses. Beyond dealing with clogged drains that inevitably happen, plumbers may handle tasks such as:

• Installing and repairing pipes and fixtures that carry water, gas, and waste while following state and local building codes
• Installing and connecting water-reliant appliances
• Preparing cost estimates for new installations, repairs, or maintenance tasks
• Inspecting, testing, and troubleshooting plumbing systems.

The work ranges from new construction to emergency repairs. Plumbers can work in either residential, commercial, or industrial settings. They also can oversee or be responsible for plumbing and gas needs involved in the setup of new construction, building renovations, or other related projects.

Experienced workers often move into specialized areas like service and repair, pipefitting, fire sprinklers, or steamfitting, with some even starting their own business.

Earning potential and career growth expectations for plumbers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn a median annual wage of $62,970, with the top 10% earning more than $105,150. Your earning potential as a plumber will be influenced by several factors including experience, work location, specialization, and even the state in which you work. For example, according to ZipRecruiter, a plumber in Washington state may earn a median salary of $71,598 while a plumber in Montana may earn $58,022.

Your experience level and specialization can also impact your earnings. According to Salary.com, the median annual salary of plumbers in the U.S., by years of experience:

• Entry-level (less than 2 years): $62,103
• Intermediate (2-4 years): $62,366
• Senior (5-8 years): $64,999
• Senior (8+ years): $68,354

Additionally, Indeed reports similar findings with apprentice plumbers earning an average of $21.09 hourly ($43,867 yearly based on 40 hours per week for 52 weeks), journeyman plumbers earning an average of $70,128 yearly, and senior plumbers earning an average of $31.55 per hour ($65,624 annually based on 40 hours per week for 52 weeks).

Employment for plumbers is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, which is about as fast as average for all occupations, with roughly 44,000 openings each year over the decade, many created by workers who retire or change fields.

The step-by-step path to become a plumber

There are a few steps involved in becoming a plumber that allow you to gain the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in the role, including:

1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.This is the typical entry-level education required to begin your career as a plumber. If you haven’t yet earned your high school diploma yet, U.S. Career Institute can help with our online high school program that you can complete at your own pace.
2. Complete a training program and/or an apprenticeship. Most plumbers learn while on the job through a paid apprenticeship, while others attend a vocational or trade school before starting. An online program, such as the plumber certificate program offered through U.S. Career Institute, is a flexible option to build foundational knowledge and gain greater confidence as you begin your new career.
3. Get licensed. Most states require plumbers to be licensed, typically after documented experience and a passing exam; requirements vary by state.
4. Advance. With more experience and additional licensing, where required, plumbers can advance to master plumber and, if they choose, run their own business.

Requirements and salary expectations by state

Licensing requirements for plumbers are set at the state or local level. The table below shows median annual wages and total employment by state.* For states with no statewide license, a representative city or county was included as an example.