Plumber
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
Also called: Drain Technician · Fire Sprinkler Service Technician · Pipe Welder · Pipefitter · Plumber · Plumbing Installer · Residential Plumber · Service Plumber
O*NET-SOC 47-2152.00 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters)
Plumber salary
Wages for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $30.67.
Plumber pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $47,350 | $72,830 | $131,100 |
| Texas | $38,270 | $59,840 | $81,890 |
| Florida | $38,940 | $52,910 | $73,610 |
| New York | $46,130 | $77,490 | $130,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,770 | $68,080 | $134,110 |
| Illinois | $50,250 | $99,950 | $126,430 |
| Ohio | $45,470 | $63,330 | $101,410 |
| Georgia | $37,680 | $57,200 | $80,740 |
| North Carolina | $38,860 | $57,080 | $75,850 |
| Michigan | $46,560 | $80,190 | $103,430 |
Plumber job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 510,600 jobs in 2025 to 545,200 in 2035 (7% change).
- About 42,000 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Bright (Rapid Growth).
How to become a plumber
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma14.4%
- High school diploma or equivalent46.6%
- Some college, no degree23.4%
- Associate's degree8.9%
- Bachelor's degree5.4%
- Master's degree1%
- Doctoral or professional degree.3%
Related training programs
- Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter
- Plumbing Technology/Plumber
- Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other
What does a plumber do?
Common tasks
- Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
- Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
- Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
- Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
- Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
- Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
- Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
Most important skills
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Troubleshooting
- Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
- Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Monitoring
- Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
- Operation and Control
- Using equipment or systems.
Plumber certifications
8 of 23 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials · Advanced
- California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association · Advanced
- National Center for Construction Education and Research · Core
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials · Advanced
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials · Advanced
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials · Advanced
- Medical Devices - Quality Management Systems (ISO 13485)International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials · Advanced
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials · Advanced
See all 23certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
Plumber jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more skilled trades & maintenance jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Skilled Trades & Maintenance jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
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More skilled trades & maintenance careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.