The median pay for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $63,800 a year ($30.67/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 6.8% through 2035, with about 42,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-2152
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Plumber in four numbers
- Median pay
- $63,800a year, or $30.67/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $44KTop 10% $108K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 42,000510,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025510.6K
- Projected 2035545.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 510.6K Projected 2035 545.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school7.9%
- High school34.8%
- Certificate43.3%
- Some college4.6%
- Associate's9.3%
Highest education held by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters Segment Value Less than high school 7.9% High school 34.8% Certificate 43.3% Some college 4.6% Associate's 9.3%
Also advertised as: Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Plumbing Installer.
Pay
How much do plumbers make?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn a median of $63,800 a year ($30.67 an hour, or about $5,320 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $44,150 and the top 10% more than $108,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is District of Columbia, with a median of $101,020. See Plumber salary in District of Columbia and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($114,280 average): salary in every city. Choosing between jobs? Compare pay side by side in Electrician vs Plumber.
Every plumber in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$63,800
Middle half earn $50,190 to $85,110
- 10th
- $44,150
- 25th
- $50,190
- 75th
- $85,110
- 90th
- $108,420
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $44,150 |
| 25th | $50,190 |
| Median | $63,800 |
| 75th | $85,110 |
| 90th | $108,420 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $63,800
- Median hourly wage
- $30.67/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $72,170
- People employed
- 465,840
Versus all US occupations
At $63,800, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn 25% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,820 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 6% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $108,420 or more while the bottom 10% earn $44,150, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 38% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($101,020), but once local prices are taken into account Illinois leads at $99,992 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay plumbers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $101,020 | $91,919 | 1,010 |
| 2Illinois | $99,950 | $99,992 | 16,750 |
| 3Oregon | $97,050 | $93,894 | 5,370 |
| 4Minnesota | $94,410 | $95,730 | 10,720 |
| 5Alaska | $93,920 | $91,755 | 1,200 |
| 6Massachusetts | $93,880 | $88,770 | 13,460 |
| 7Wisconsin | $81,210 | $86,306 | 10,210 |
| 8Washington | $81,030 | $75,720 | 12,470 |
| 9Michigan | $80,190 | $83,343 | 14,120 |
| 10Montana | $79,960 | $84,484 | 1,860 |
Job outlook
Is plumber a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | +6.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to change 6.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 34,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 42,000 openings are projected each year, 8.2% of the 510,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for plumbers will stem from new construction and from the need to maintain and repair plumbing systems in existing residences and other buildings. Employment of sprinklerfitters is expected to increase because of building codes in all states that require the use of fire suppression systems.
AI exposure: moderate
BLS places this occupation in its moderate relative AI exposure category, below the middle of the pack: some of the work overlaps with what AI can do, much of it does not.
Getting in
How to become a plumber
Plumbing is licensed by the states and, in many places, by localities as well; there is no national plumbing license. The standard route is a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship followed by the licensing exam that makes you a journey-level plumber, with master plumber status earned later through more experience and a further exam.
The credential path, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Vocational-technical courses in pipe system design, safety and tool use help, and welding courses are required by some pipefitter and steamfitter apprenticeship programs.
- Get into an apprenticeship
Apply to a UA local or another apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Programs are sponsored by unions, trade associations and businesses; some people start as helpers or through a pre-apprenticeship first.
- Complete the apprenticeship4-5 years
Paid on-the-job work alongside journeymen, plus technical instruction in safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics and chemistry.
- Pass the licensing exam to become journey-level
Completing the apprenticeship and passing the required licensing exam is what makes you a journey-level plumber, qualified to perform tasks independently.
- Earn master plumber status
After several more years of experience, pass another exam to earn master status. In some states this is the prerequisite for a plumbing contractor's license.
Exams you have to pass
State or local plumber licensing examination
Passed at the end of the apprenticeship to work independently at journey level. States and localities commonly require 2 to 5 years of experience plus an exam demonstrating knowledge of the trade before allowing a plumber to work unsupervised.
Administered by State or local plumbing licensing board.
A separate, later exam taken after several years of experience as a licensed plumber. Some states require master plumber status before you can hold a plumbing contractor's license.
Administered by State or local plumbing licensing board.
- How long the training takes
4-5 years
Apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus technical instruction each year. UA apprenticeships typically last five years.
- Program accreditation
Registration with the U.S. Department of Labor is what makes an apprenticeship's completion credential nationally recognized and portable. UA plumbing apprenticeships are registered programs; applicants typically must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed, and the requirements differ: states and localities often require 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam before you can work independently. Some states also license pipefitters and steamfitters and may require a separate license to work on gas lines. Starting your own contracting business may require additional licensing, and some states require master plumber status to get a plumbing contractor's license.
Who governs the credential
- United Association (UA)
Union that runs apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor in hundreds of locations, combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction at its training centers and leading to journeyman status.
- U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship (Apprenticeship.gov)
Registers apprenticeship programs, which pair paid work experience and mentoring with classroom instruction and end in a portable, nationally recognized credential.
Credential detail for plumbers is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- United Association — UA Apprenticeship · checked August 23, 2026
- Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) — Career Seekers: What is Registered Apprenticeship? · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Apprenticeship
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
- Post-Secondary Certificate43.3%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)34.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma7.9%
- Some College Courses4.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 43.3% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 34.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 9.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.9% |
| Some College Courses | 4.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a plumber do?
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
Day-to-day tasks
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
- Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
- Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
- Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
- Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Fatal injury rate: 6.9 per 100,000 workers (2.1x the 3.3 average)
BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024, for the group “Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters”: 47 deaths that year.
Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work full time, including nights and weekends. They are often on call to handle emergencies. Self-employed plumbers may be able to set their own schedules.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors65%
- Self-employed workers8%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals3%
- Heavy and civil engineering construction3%
- Manufacturing3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | 65% |
| Self-employed workers | 8% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 3% |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Listening2.9
- Writing2.8
- Mathematics2.6
- Active Learning2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Troubleshooting3.3
- Repairing3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Coordination3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Operation and Control3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 3.3 |
| Repairing | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Facilities management software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a plumber?
Women make up 3.1% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation.
18.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 40.2 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 3.1%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 40.2All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 18.4%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 624,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 3.1% | 47.1% |
| White | 86.5% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 7.1% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30.3% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 18.4% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 13.6% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a plumber?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Plumber |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.7
- Investigative2.2
- Social1.2
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Plumber
Plumber compared with
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter
$42,360median a year
Most earn $34K to $58K
+2.4%High school - Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Construction and Extraction
Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner
$49,880median a year
Most earn $37K to $73K
+7.8%High school - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Control and Valve Installer and Repairer, Except Mechanical Door
$74,340median a year
Most earn $46K to $113K
+4.3%High school
More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher$57,020
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $57,020 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Questions
Plumber: frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers make?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn a median of $63,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 25% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.67/hr. The middle half earn between $50,190 and $85,110. The top 10% earn $108,420 or more.
How much do plumbers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $30.67 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $63,800 annual median works out to about $5,320 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a plumber?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn less than $44,150 a year and the bottom quarter less than $50,190 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do plumbers make $100k?
A minority do. $100,000 sits between the 75th percentile ($85,110) and the 90th ($108,420), so roughly 10% to 25% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). One state has a median above $100,000: District of Columbia ($101,020).
Which states pay plumbers the most?
The highest state medians for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are District of Columbia ($101,020), Illinois ($99,950), Oregon ($97,050) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Illinois moves to the top at $99,992.
What kind of plumber earns the most?
BLS does not split plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $108,420, against a median of $63,800 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are District of Columbia ($101,020), Illinois ($99,950), Oregon ($97,050).
Do you need a degree to become a plumber?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. BLS also lists apprenticeship as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 43.3% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is plumber a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 42,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a plumber do?
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems. A core O*NET task: assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Do plumbers work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 27% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters usually work more than 40 hours a week, 73% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 62% say their schedule is regular and 39% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a plumber?
O*NET scores Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
How long does it take to become a plumber?
4-5 years. Apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus technical instruction each year. UA apprenticeships typically last five years.
Do you need a license to work as a plumber?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed, and the requirements differ: states and localities often require 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam before you can work independently. Some states also license pipefitters and steamfitters and may require a separate license to work on gas lines. Starting your own contracting business may require additional licensing, and some states require master plumber status to get a plumbing contractor's license.
What exams do you have to pass to become a plumber?
The State or local plumber licensing examination and the Master plumber examination. Passed at the end of the apprenticeship to work independently at journey level. States and localities commonly require 2 to 5 years of experience plus an exam demonstrating knowledge of the trade before allowing a plumber to work unsupervised.
What percentage of plumbers are women?
Women make up 3.1% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, against 47.1% of all employed people: a heavily male-dominated occupation. 18.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 40.2 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.