You may have heard that plumbing is one of the “recession-proof” trades, whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a working professional looking for a change. It is true that working as a plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter can be satisfying in a variety of ways.
You should, however, be aware of the earning potential in your state, the demand for plumbers, and the kinds of hours you’ll need to work on a regular basis before changing careers.
How much can plumbers expect to earn? Find out what kinds of jobs they handle, employment statistics, the typical plumber salary, and more, so you can decide if this is the appropriate career for you.
How do plumbers work?
Plumbers do more than just repair leaks and clogs around the house. Plumbers not only evaluate and solve plumbing issues in home and commercial structures, but they also install gas, water, and wastewater piping systems as well as the fixtures we use every day.
Plumbing is recession-proof, as seen by these duties, but you can also find plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, utility systems, building equipment, oil and gas, local government, and more.
Since there are so many different job paths, a plumber’s typical annual compensation can vary greatly.
How much money can plumbers make?
Every year, statistics on wage and employment by occupation are released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. The average income for plumbers is rising. The most recent statistics, from May 2021, reveals that the average yearly salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $63,350.
Compared to the national average yearly income for all jobs, which is $58,260, plumber salaries are competitive. Additionally, some of these skilled tradespeople earn far more than the typical plumber does.
Plumbers make an average yearly salary of $59,880 and earn an average hourly wage of $27.79. The greatest plumbing earnings are earned by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the 90th percentile, who make $48.04 per hour or $99,920 per year.
Some skilled tradespeople are also entitled to overtime pay, which can boost their take-home pay.
