What does a plumber do?
- Read blueprints and plan where pipes and fixtures will go.
- Install pipes, fixtures, water heaters and other equipment.
- Find and fix leaks, clogs and broken parts.
- Test systems and follow plumbing codes so the work is safe.
Where do plumbers work?
- Homes, both new builds and repairs
- Offices, schools, hospitals and restaurants
- Factories, power plants and other industrial sites
- Construction sites, basements and crawl spaces
Is a career as a plumber right for you?
It could be a good fit if:
- You like practical problem solving and figuring out how things fit together.
- You don't mind physical work and getting your hands dirty.
- You want work that's needed in every community, in every season.
How to become a plumber
Most plumbers learn through an apprenticeship that typically lasts 4 or 5 years: paid, on-the-job training under a licensed plumber, plus classroom instruction. Some start at a trade school first. Most states license plumbers, and each state sets its own rules.
- 1
Learner
Learning the basics in high school, a trade school, a training program or a pre-apprenticeship.
- 2
Apprentice
Working under a licensed professional while taking classroom training. Apprentices are paid while they learn.
- 3
Journeyman (journey level)
Licensed to do the work on your own, usually after years of apprenticeship hours and passing an exam.
- 4
Master
The top license in most trades. Masters can pull permits, supervise others and often run their own business.
Each state sets its own licensing rules, hours and exams. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
How much do plumbers make?
The median pay for plumbers in the U.S. was $63,800 a year in May 2025, and most earned between $44,150 to $108,420 a year. Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage: pay usually rises with experience, licenses and specialty.
Plumber pay by state
| State | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| United States | $63,800 |
| Alabama | $58,670 |
| Alaska | $93,920 |
| Arizona | $62,070 |
| Arkansas | $48,660 |
| California | $72,830 |
| Colorado | $63,240 |
| Connecticut | $77,280 |
| Delaware | $64,720 |
| District of Columbia | $101,020 |
| Florida | $52,910 |
| Georgia | $57,200 |
| Hawaii | $78,060 |
| Idaho | $52,380 |
| Illinois | $99,950 |
| Indiana | $76,320 |
| Iowa | $63,890 |
| Kansas | $65,220 |
| Kentucky | $64,160 |
| Louisiana | $63,680 |
| Maine | $64,000 |
| Maryland | $65,400 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 |
| Michigan | $80,190 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 |
| Mississippi | $55,480 |
| Missouri | $66,790 |
| Montana | $79,960 |
| Nebraska | $60,970 |
| Nevada | $61,610 |
| New Hampshire | $66,810 |
| New Jersey | $78,240 |
| New Mexico | $61,440 |
| New York | $77,490 |
| North Carolina | $57,080 |
| North Dakota | $63,560 |
| Ohio | $63,330 |
| Oklahoma | $57,970 |
| Oregon | $97,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,080 |
| Rhode Island | $76,470 |
| South Carolina | $53,940 |
| South Dakota | $51,620 |
| Tennessee | $58,600 |
| Texas | $59,840 |
| Utah | $61,900 |
| Vermont | $62,170 |
| Virginia | $60,470 |
| Washington | $81,030 |
| West Virginia | $56,980 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 |
| Wyoming | $62,410 |
Job outlook for plumbers
U.S. employment of plumbers is projected to change by +7% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 openings each year on average. There were 510,600 plumber jobs in the U.S. in 2025.
Where can a career as a plumber lead?
A trade isn't a job, it's a career with branches. Here's where plumbers commonly go next.
Specialties
- Pipefitting and steamfittingInstalling and maintaining pipes that may carry chemicals, acids and gases, mostly in manufacturing, commercial and industrial settings. Gasfitters and sprinklerfitters are further specialties.
Leadership and other roles
- Supervisor or foremanMaster plumbers may become supervisors.
- Project managerMaster plumbers may become project managers, planning, coordinating, budgeting and supervising construction projects.
- EstimatorWorking out the time, money, materials and labor a job needs. Workers with several years of construction experience sometimes qualify without a degree.
- Plumbing inspectorExamining the installation of systems for safe drinking water, industrial piping and the sanitary disposal of waste. Employers may prefer applicants with experience in a construction trade.
Owning a business
- Contractor or business ownerSome master plumbers start their own business as an independent contractor. The license needed is set by each state; see your state guide.
Related trades
Things to know
- Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage. Pay rises with experience and each license you earn.
- Plumbers are often on call for emergencies, so evening and weekend work is common.
- Pipefitters and steamfitters, who work in factories and power plants, often earn toward the top of the pay range.
Plumber FAQ
What does a plumber do?
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters install and repair the pipes, fixtures and systems that carry water, gas and other liquids in homes, businesses and industrial sites. Typical work includes: read blueprints and plan where pipes and fixtures will go; install pipes, fixtures, water heaters and other equipment; find and fix leaks, clogs and broken parts; test systems and follow plumbing codes so the work is safe.
How do you become a plumber?
Most plumbers learn through an apprenticeship that typically lasts 4 or 5 years: paid, on-the-job training under a licensed plumber, plus classroom instruction. Some start at a trade school first. Most states license plumbers, and each state sets its own rules.
How much do plumbers make?
The median pay for plumbers in the U.S. was $63,800 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)). Most earn between $44,150 to $108,420 a year. Pay varies by state, experience and specialty.
Are plumbers in demand?
U.S. employment of plumbers is projected to change by +7% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 42,000 job openings each year on average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Which states pay plumbers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest-paying states for plumbers were District of Columbia ($101,020), Illinois ($99,950), Oregon ($97,050), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Cost Estimators
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction and Building Inspectors
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Similar Occupations
Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wayforge is a career-planning tool, not an official licensing source; always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.