Curious about the earning potential in the world of plumbing? Look no further. In this article, we’ll delve into the numbers and present you with plumber salary statistics that shed light on the financial side of this profession. Whether you’re considering a career change or just intrigued by the figures, we’ve got the facts laid out for you in a straightforward fashion. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and uncover how much plumbers really make.
Plumber Salary Statistics (Highlights)
- There are 427,920 employed plumbers in the USA.
- Their average annual earnings are $65,190, while their median earnings are $60,090.
- The largest number, or 311,030 plumbers, work as building equipment contractors. Their average hourly wage is $31.76 ($66,070).
- Plumbers working in the spectator sports industry earn the highest average yearly salary of $99,100 ($47.64). However, there are only 90 of them in the whole country.
- By state, plumbers in Illinois make the most – $42.30 per hour.
- Plumbers in Arkansas have the lowest average annual salary in the US, at $46,750.
How Much Does a Plumber Make?
According to the latest BLS statistics, the median annual wage of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $60,090. The median plumbing salary of the top-paid 10% of plumbers goes up to $101,190, while the bottom 10% earn up to $37,250 per year.
Like with any other occupation, plumbing salaries vary depending on multiple factors, such as the industry where plumbers are employed, their work experience levels, as well as their geographical location. Let’s have a look at some relevant stats and try to understand exactly how much do plumbers make and whether or not plumbing is a profession with good pay.
How Much Do Plumbers Make a Year?
The US nationwide average wage for a plumber is $65,190, which is slightly higher than the annual median. This generally means that a small number of high-earning individuals raise the overall average salary.
To better understand the state of the American’s plumber compensation, let’s first see which industries employ the largest number of plumbers. According to the most recent BLS data, there are 427,920 employed plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the USA. The largest portion of them work in the following industries:
- 311,030 plumbers work in the building equipment contractors industry. Their annual average salary is $66,070 ($31.76 per hour).
- 15,350 plumbers work in the utility system construction sector. Their annual average wage is $63,520 ($30.54 per hour).
- 10,900 plumbers are employed at local government institutions, excluding schools and hospitals. Their yearly average plumber salary is $61,240 ($29.44 per hour)
- 10,210 plumbers work in the nonresidential building construction industry, and their average annual earnings are notably higher at $72,190 ($34.71 per hour).
- 8,190 work in the employment services sector and earn a considerably lower average of $52,340 per year ($25.16 per hour).
However, their employing industries are only one piece of the plumber pay puzzle, and as the data will illustrate, plumbers’ earnings vary significantly from one state to the next.
How Much Do Plumbers Make an Hour?
Here’s an at-a-glance table that will allow you to quickly look at the hourly and yearly averages of plumbers’ earnings across the 50 US states:
| State | Hourly Average | Yearly Average |
| Alabama | $23.80 | $49,510 |
| Alaska | $41.74 | $86,820 |
| Arizona | $27.70 | $57,610 |
| Arkansas | $22.48 | $46,750 |
| California | $35.75 | $74,360 |
| Colorado | $29.69 | $61,750 |
| Connecticut | $32.94 | $68,520 |
| Delaware | $29.57 | $61,510 |
| Florida | $23.48 | $48,830 |
| Georgia | $28.29 | $58,830 |
| Hawaii | $36.80 | $76,530 |
| Idaho | $29.20 | $60,730 |
| Illinois | $42.30 | $87,980 |
| Indiana | $32.38 | $67,360 |
| Iowa | $29.96 | $62,320 |
| Kansas | $27.72 | $57,660 |
| Kentucky | $28.46 | $59,200 |
| Louisiana | $28.30 | $58,860 |
| Maine | $28.70 | $59,690 |
| Maryland | $29.28 | $60,910 |
| Massachusetts | $39.43 | $82,020 |
| Michigan | $31.05 | $64,570 |
| Minnesota | $36.87 | $76,690 |
| Mississippi | $24.13 | $50,200 |
| Missouri | $31.71 | $65,950 |
| Montana | $33.39 | $69,450 |
| Nebraska | $29.13 | $60,590 |
| Nevada | $31.27 | $65,040 |
| New Hampshire | $28.53 | $59,340 |
| New Jersey | $40.46 | $84,150 |
| New Mexico | $24.58 | $51,120 |
| New York | $40.10 | $83,410 |
| North Carolina | $23.66 | $49,210 |
| North Dakota | $28.24 | $58,740 |
| Ohio | $31.23 | $64,950 |
| Oklahoma | $25.38 | $52,790 |
| Oregon | $39.24 | $81,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $32.93 | $68,500 |
| Rhode Island | $31.64 | $65,800 |
| South Carolina | $23.90 | $49,720 |
| South Dakota | $24.95 | $51,890 |
| Tennessee | $26.50 | $55,110 |
| Texas | $26.58 | $55,280 |
| Utah | $28.09 | $58,420 |
| Vermont | $26.07 | $54,220 |
| Virginia | $26.46 | $55,030 |
| Washington | $37.77 | $78,550 |
| West Virginia | $26.49 | $55,100 |
| Wisconsin | $34.24 | $71,220 |
| Wyoming | $26.33 | $54,760 |
As always, the local demand for the work and the different cost of living among the 50 states are the most impactful factors that determine the compensation for plumbing jobs in the US.
What Is the Highest Paying Plumbing Job?
The top 10% of highest paid plumbers in the US make an annual median plumber salary of $101,190. Data suggests that plumbers employed in certain industries, and located in certain states and cities have considerably higher average earnings than others.
Highest Average Plumber Salary by Industry
BLS’s latest data reveals that the five top paying industries for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters include:
- Spectator sports – $99,100 per year, or $47.64 per hour.
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing – $93,830 per year, or $45.11 per hour.
- Educational support services – $90,540 per year, or $43.53 per hour.
- Aerospace product and parts manufacturing – $90,170 per year, or $43.35 per hour.
- Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution – $89,510 per year, or $43.03 per hour.
However, the stats also show that only 2,230 plumbers work in these five industries nationwide, which is about 0.52% of the total number of plumbers in the US, and most plumbers make significantly less money than them.
Highest Average Plumber Salary by State
Moreover, the average wage for a plumber also varies depending on geolocation, meaning plumbers in some states and cities make more money than others.
The stats reveal that the five states where plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make the highest yearly average salary are:
- Illinois – $87,980 per year, or $42.30 per hour.
- Alaska – $86,820 per year, or $41.74 per hour.
- New Jersey – $84,150 per year, or $40.46 per hour.
- New York – $83,410 per year, or $40.10 per hour.
- Massachusetts – $82,020 per year, or $39.43 per hour.
On the other hand, the yearly average plumber income in some states, like Arkansas and Florida, is notably lower at $46,750 and $48,830, respectively.
Highest Average Plumber Salary by City
Finally, statistics show that plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in some metropolitan regions have significantly higher annual incomes than others.
Here are the five metropolitan areas with the highest annual salaries for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the US:
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara – $96,870 per year, or $46.57 per hour.
- Vineland-Bridgeton – $92,380 per year, or $44.41 per hour.
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – $92,000 per year, or $44.23 per hour.
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin – $89,790 per year, or $43.17 per hour.
- Anchorage – $89,680 per year, or $43.11 per hour.
Overall, a yearly salary of around $60,000 can be considered a good plumber wage, while it is not unusual for plumbers living in more expensive areas or are employed in more lucrative sectors to earn between $90,000 and $100,000 per year.
Do Plumbers Make Good Money?
Plumbing is a profession that definitely can pay well, particularly considering that it doesn’t require a degree. Many experienced plumbers with specialized skills and certifications can earn a substantial income.
The demand for plumbing services remains consistent, and in some areas, it’s even on the rise due to ongoing construction and maintenance needs. As a plumber gains more experience and builds a solid reputation, they can take on more complex projects and charge higher rates for their services.
FAQs
What do I need to do to become a plumber?
Plumbing is an occupation that doesn’t require a higher degree than a high school diploma or equivalent. Most plumbers complete an apprenticeship program, which includes on-the-job training and classroom instruction. A plumbing license is required in some states.
What is the starting plumber’s salary?
Just like any other professional, plumbers earn less when they are just starting out, compared to plumbers with years of experience. According to the most recent data, the lowest 10% of American plumbers earn a median annual wage of $37,250 per year.
What is the average licensed plumber’s salary in the US?
As per BLS’s latest information, the annual average plumber’s salary in the USA is $65,190, though this figure varies significantly from one state to the next.
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