Are you considering a career as a plumber? If your answer is yes, you are likely wondering, “how much do plumbers make?”
Unfortunately, there is not an accurate average plumber salary due to a variety of factors that influence that number. These factors include location, competencies and training, schooling, and more.
Even though there is not a quotable average salary for plumbing professionals, it is safe to say that it is a lucrative career. People are willing to pay a good amount of money to have their plumbing built or repaired.
Check out some of the top factors that influence how much plumbers make.
Location
One of the most influential factors for a plumber’s salary is where you live. The city and state you call home can directly affect how much a plumber makes yearly.
According to Service Titan, the salary range spans from $43,600 to $54,600 for entry-level plumbers.
The lower end of annual salaries are found in states like:
- Arkansas ($44,000),
- West Virginia ($43,600),
- Mississippi ($44,900),
- Idaho ($44,700), and
- Wyoming ($43,700).
To compare, higher plumber salaries are paid in states like:
- California ($54,600),
- New Jersey ($52,400), and
- Connecticut ($54,200).
This geographical variety in salaries is attributable to different costs of living, the local demand for the type of work, and various other factors.
Even if you live in a state with a lower-than-hoped-for median income, there are ways to increase the average plumber salary.
Schooling & Training
All plumbers are required to attend vocational school to learn how to be a plumber.
After you complete this basic training—which can yield you entry-level jobs—you can continue your schooling to become a more competent professional and increase your earning potential.
For example, if you decide to become a master plumber through additional training, you could earn an average of $83,300 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.
Of course, completing this extra schooling requires more time and money on your part, but those investments will likely pay off in the form of a higher average plumber salary.
How Much Does a Plumber Make an Hour?
The hourly wage of a plumber depends a lot on location and employee status. Some plumbers may work on contract, while others have a salary-based position. That being said, there are some estimates. Indeed estimates the average hourly wage for plumbers to be $27.21. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates it to be around $28.79 per hour. These estimates are relatively close, so they are likely pretty reliable.
Certification and Licensure
When searching how much do plumbers make, it’s also important to remember that certifications can greatly affect pay. Data from Indeed shows that plumbers who have a backflow certification earn as much as 33% more than those who don’t. In addition, plumbers who have a license have a 14% higher salary on average.
However, these aren’t the only options. For example, many plumbers also seek out certifications to do work on pools, which can result in a nearly 35% increase in salary over the average. Based on Indeed’s data, that is $19,881 higher than the national average for plumbers. This means that getting certified in an additional area can be a good way to advance your career.
Experience
When working in any field, you will likely have to start at an entry-level position, but with additional training and schooling, you can work your way up the chain and begin earning more money.
So, how much do plumbers make based on their experience? Generally, a plumber who has been in the business for four to six years will likely be rewarded with a higher salary for their increased knowledge and training gained during that time.
According to Indeed, plumbers with less than one year of work experience make around $47,588 per year. However, those with 10 or more years of experience earn an average of $69,039. Keep in mind that this is an average that includes both entry-level positions and late-career positions. It is likely that those who are master plumbers make slightly higher than the average.
Industry
One factor that affects average plumber salary and is often overlooked is the industry where the job opening is. For example, a plumber who works for the government may be paid differently than one who works in nonresidential construction.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most plumbers are employed within the building equipment contracting industry, where they have an average salary of $66,070. However, plumbers working in commercial construction make the most out of all industries with more than 8,000 workers, averaging $72,190 per year.
Believe it or not, the numbers vary greatly when you look at niche industries. For example, plumbers in the water and sewage industry make the least, around $51,860. In contrast, those who work in the sports industry, particularly at large stadiums, make almost $100K. However, the BLS estimates that there are only 90 plumbers working in this industry.
Additional Skills
A popular way for entry-level plumbers to command a higher salary is to get additional skills that are closely related to their job. This is particularly important if the plumber plans to work on residential or commercial buildings.
So how much do plumbers make yearly with some other skills? Well, it depends on what the skill is. For example, Indeed claims that plumbers who also know how to work on boilers make nearly 40% more than their peers. For those with handyman experience, the increase is 28%. Finally, plumbers who also do remodeling make an additional 18%.
Competencies & Duties
In addition to advanced schooling, plumbers can also become certified in a variety of specialty areas.
These can include:
- Irrigation and water drainage,
- Gas service technician,
- Pipefitters and steamfitters, and
- Commercial plumber
Whether you have an interest in performing basic plumbing tasks around your own home or have a sincere interest in becoming a plumber and earning a decent salary, Stratford Career Institute’s Plumbing course can help you get started. While Stratford does not offer any type of certification, their entry-level course can help you learn plumbing basics to set a solid foundation for further learning.
Start Learning Plumbing Basics and Enroll in Stratford Career Institute’s Plumbing Training Course Today!
If you want to learn more about what is required to be a plumber, check out Stratford Career Institute’s plumbing training course.
In the course, you will get an introduction to plumbing, an overview of plumbing safety and tools, a deeper understanding of plumbing systems, and more.
This course is currently being offered as a distance learning program, so you can learn about your next career from the comfort of your own home.
This educational program is an introductory course designed to help students gain the knowledge necessary for the vocational application of this subject. Completion of this program does not fulfill the legal requirements of particular state licenses or certifications, which may require additional training or apprenticeships.
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