Considering a career that combines hands-on skill, critical problem-solving, and a high degree of job security? The plumbing profession might be for you. Far from being a simple trade, plumbing is a complex and essential service that keeps our homes, businesses, and industries running safely and efficiently. But what is the earning potential?
For skilled, licensed professionals, a career in plumbing is not just stable—it's financially rewarding. While the national average salary provides a solid baseline, top-tier plumbers in high-demand areas can earn well over $100,000 per year. This guide will break down the salary you can expect as a licensed plumber and the key factors that will shape your earning potential throughout your career.
What Does a Licensed Plumber Do?
A licensed plumber is a highly trained professional responsible for the systems that transport water, gas, and waste in and out of buildings. Their work is critical for public health and safety. While unclogging a drain is part of the job, their responsibilities are far more extensive and include:
- Installation: Installing complex piping, fixtures, and appliances (like water heaters and dishwashers) in new residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects.
- Maintenance & Repair: Diagnosing issues, performing routine maintenance, and repairing existing plumbing systems to ensure they function correctly and efficiently.
- Compliance: Reading and interpreting blueprints to ensure all work meets strict building codes, safety standards, and legal regulations.
- Problem-Solving: Identifying complex issues like hidden leaks, pressure problems, or cross-contamination risks and implementing effective, long-term solutions.
Average Licensed Plumber Salary
When examining salary data, it's important to look at multiple sources to get a complete picture. Government data provides a broad, reliable baseline, while salary aggregators often reflect real-time, user-submitted data.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $60,090 in May 2022. The salary range is quite wide:
- The lowest 10% earned less than $37,970.
- The top 10% earned more than $101,190.
Other leading salary aggregators provide a similar, and often slightly higher, outlook:
- Salary.com reports that the median salary for a Licensed Plumber in the United States is around $73,501, with a typical range falling between $64,202 and $83,044.
- Payscale notes an average base salary of approximately $62,500 per year, with significant increases based on experience and specialization.
Typically, a newly licensed plumber can expect to start in the $50,000-$60,000 range, while experienced master plumbers or those who own their own business have the potential to earn six-figure incomes.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your salary as a licensed plumber isn't a single, fixed number. It's a dynamic figure influenced by several critical factors. Understanding these can help you maximize your earning potential.
### Level of Education and Licensure
In the skilled trades, your license is your most valuable educational asset. The career path typically involves a tiered system, with each level unlocking higher earning potential.
- Apprentice: This is the entry-level position where you learn the trade under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber. Pay starts lower, but it's an "earn-while-you-learn" model, often with structured wage increases throughout the 4-5 year program.
- Journeyman Plumber: After completing an apprenticeship and passing a state-administered exam, you become a licensed journeyman. This is a significant milestone that brings a substantial pay increase and the ability to work independently.
- Master Plumber: After several years as a journeyman, you can test for a master plumber license. This is the highest level of licensure and qualifies you to own a business, pull permits for major projects, and supervise other plumbers. Master plumbers command the highest wages in the field.
### Years of Experience
Experience directly correlates with skill, efficiency, and the ability to handle complex jobs, all of which are highly valued by employers and clients.
- Entry-Level (0-5 years): A plumber who has recently earned their journeyman license is focused on honing their skills. Their salary will be solid but will have significant room for growth.
- Mid-Career (5-15 years): With a decade of experience, a plumber has seen a wide variety of scenarios, works efficiently, and can mentor apprentices. This experience level often corresponds with strong, steady salary growth.
- Experienced/Senior (15+ years): Senior and master plumbers are experts in their field. They often move into supervisory roles, project management, or business ownership, which represents the highest earning potential.
### Geographic Location
Where you work is one of the biggest factors determining your paycheck. This is driven by local demand, cost of living, and the strength of local unions and building industries. According to the BLS, the top-paying states for plumbers are:
1. Illinois: Average annual salary of $90,120
2. Alaska: Average annual salary of $88,270
3. Massachusetts: Average annual salary of $83,960
4. New Jersey: Average annual salary of $82,310
5. Oregon: Average annual salary of $81,850
Working in a major metropolitan area within these states will generally yield a higher salary than in a rural area, though the cost of living will also be higher.
### Company Type
The type of employer you work for plays a crucial role in your compensation and benefits package.
- Union Plumber: Plumbers who are members of a union, such as the United Association (UA), often receive higher hourly wages, comprehensive benefits packages (health insurance, pension plans), and structured training opportunities.
- Non-Union (Residential/Commercial): Working for a private company can offer competitive wages. Large commercial construction companies may pay more than smaller residential service businesses due to the scale and complexity of the projects.
- Self-Employed/Business Owner: While it comes with the risks and responsibilities of running a business (insurance, marketing, accounting), being a self-employed plumber or owning a plumbing company offers the highest possible earning potential. Your income is directly tied to your ability to find and complete profitable work.
### Area of Specialization
General plumbing is always in demand, but developing specialized skills can make you a more valuable and higher-paid professional.
- Commercial Plumbing: Focuses on large-scale installations and maintenance for schools, hospitals, and office buildings. These projects are often more complex and command higher pay.
- Industrial Pipefitting: Involves working with high-pressure systems in factories, power plants, and manufacturing facilities. This is a highly specialized and often lucrative field.
- Gasfitting: Licensed gasfitters install and service the gas lines that fuel appliances, a critical and high-responsibility skill.
- Green Plumbing: As water conservation becomes more important, plumbers who specialize in water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and water reclamation are in growing demand.
Job Outlook
The future for licensed plumbers is bright and stable. The BLS projects that employment for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters will have about 40,900 openings each year, on average, over the decade from 2022 to 2032.
While overall growth is projected at 2%, much of this demand stems from the need to replace a large number of workers who are expected to retire or transfer to different occupations. Furthermore, plumbing is an essential service; it cannot be outsourced or automated, making it a remarkably recession-resistant career.
Conclusion
A career as a licensed plumber offers a clear path to a stable, respectable, and financially secure future. While the national median salary sits comfortably around $60,000 to $70,000, your individual earning potential is in your hands.
By focusing on continuous learning, achieving master-level licensure, gaining diverse experience, and potentially specializing in a high-demand niche, you can build a career that provides not only a vital service to your community but also a six-figure income. For those willing to put in the work, the rewards are undeniable.