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.
Plumber Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
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 4.5% through 2034, with about 44,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 47-2152Construction and ExtractionLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $63,800
- Projected growth
- +4.5%
- Openings a year
- 44,000
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Plumbing Installer.
How much do Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make?
10th percentile$44,150
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$50,190
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$63,800
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$85,110
Upper quartile
90th percentile$108,420
Top-paid tenth
| 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 $57,430, this is 11% 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 48% of the 923 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.
Which states pay Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,020 | $91,919 | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $99,950 | $99,992 | 16,750 |
| Oregon | $97,050 | $93,894 | 5,370 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 | $95,730 | 10,720 |
| Alaska | $93,920 | $91,755 | 1,200 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 | $88,770 | 13,460 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 | $86,306 | 10,210 |
| Washington | $81,030 | $75,720 | 12,470 |
| Michigan | $80,190 | $83,343 | 14,120 |
| Montana | $79,960 | $84,484 | 1,860 |
Is Plumber a growing career?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters4.5%
All US occupations3.1%
+4.5% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to change 4.5% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 22,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 44,000 openings are projected each year, 8.7% of the 504,500 jobs that existed in 2024. 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
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 Diploma34.8%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)9.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma7.9%
- Some College Courses4.6%
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
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.
Physical demands
- On their feet more than half the working day
- Regular bending or twisting
Working with people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work
| Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | 66% |
|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 8% |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 4% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Active Listening2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
- Active Learning2.6/5
Transferable skills
- Troubleshooting3.3/5
- Repairing3.3/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
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.
What personality type suits a Plumber?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary7.0
Investigative2.2
Artistic1.0
Social1.2
Enterprising1.0
Conventionalprimary3.7
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.
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.
Plumber: frequently asked questions
How much do Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 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.
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 4.5% over 2024–2034, faster than the 3.1% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 44,000 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.
Which states pay Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 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 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 923 occupations 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.