Skilled Trades & Construction career

Plumber

Also called: Journeyman Plumber · Pipefitter · Steamfitter · Plumbing Apprentice

What plumbers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a plumber do?

Plumbers install, repair and maintain the pipes, fixtures and appliances that carry water, waste and gas in homes and buildings, following plumbing codes to protect public health. The median pay is $63,800 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship), and employment is projected to grow +6.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $63,800
    $30.67/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +6.8%
    2025–35, faster than average
  • Openings per year
    42,000
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    510,600
    Employment, 2025

What plumbers do

Plumbers lay out and install water supply and drain-waste-vent (DWV) systems, set fixtures such as sinks, toilets and water heaters, find and fix leaks and clogs, and test systems for pressure and leaks. Pipefitters and steamfitters focus on high-pressure piping in industrial and commercial settings.

Most plumbers train through a four- to five-year paid apprenticeship and must pass a licensing exam in most states. Because clean water and sanitation are essential, plumbing work stays in demand in nearly every economy.

Typical duties

  • Read blueprints and plan pipe layouts
  • Install water supply, drain, waste and vent piping
  • Set and connect fixtures, water heaters and appliances
  • Locate and repair leaks, clogs and broken pipes
  • Test systems for pressure and leaks
  • Install backflow prevention and gas piping where licensed
  • Follow plumbing codes and explain repairs to customers

Work environment and schedule

Plumbers work in homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. Jobs can involve tight spaces, crawlspaces, trenches and exposure to sewage, heat and chemicals. Service plumbers drive between customers throughout the day.

Schedule: Full-time, often with overtime. Service plumbers frequently rotate on-call for nights, weekends and emergencies.

A day in the life

  1. Load the van with PEX, fittings and a water heater for today’s service calls.
  2. Diagnose a slow kitchen drain, run a drain snake and replace a corroded P-trap.
  3. Replace a 50-gallon gas water heater, including the T&P relief valve discharge pipe and venting.
  4. Check a new home’s rough-in plumbing before the inspector arrives and perform a pressure test.

See a full day in the life of a plumber →

Plumber salary

Half of plumbers earned more than $63,800 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,150 for the lowest 10% to $108,420 for the top 10%.

Full plumber pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a plumber

  1. Finish high school
  2. Join an apprenticeship
  3. Complete on-the-job and classroom training
  4. Pass the journeyman exam
  5. Advance

A high school diploma or GED is typically required. Plumbers usually complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship with paid on-the-job training and classroom study, then pass a state journeyman exam. Some start at a technical school.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a plumber →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Reading plumbing plans
  • Plumbing code knowledge (IPC/UPC)
  • Soldering, brazing and joining pipe
  • Drain cleaning and diagnostics
  • Water heater installation

People skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Customer service
  • Reliability
  • Clear explanations to homeowners

All plumber skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Paid apprenticeship with no student debt
  • Essential, recession-resistant work
  • Strong earnings with overtime and licensing
  • Many plumbers start their own businesses

Cons

  • Dirty, physically demanding work
  • Emergency calls on nights and weekends
  • Risk of injury from tools, chemicals and confined spaces
  • Several years to reach full licensure

Certifications and licenses

  • Journeyman plumber license: Required in most states after completing apprenticeship hours and an exam.
  • Master plumber license: Allows you to design systems, pull permits and run a business in many areas.
  • Backflow prevention tester certification: Lets plumbers test and certify backflow devices.
  • Medical gas certification (ASSE 6010): Required to install medical gas systems in healthcare facilities.

Career path

  1. Plumbing Apprentice: Learn under licensed plumbers.
  2. Journeyman Plumber: Install and repair systems independently.
  3. Service Lead or Specialist: Specialize in medical gas, backflow or commercial systems.
  4. Master Plumber or Business Owner: Design systems, pull permits and run a company.

Learn the job before day one

Our Plumber training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as sweat a copper pipe joint and replace a sink p-trap, safety and how to land your first job.

View Plumber trainingIs this career right for me?

HVAC Technician

Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.

  • $61,010
  • 6–24 months

Electrician

Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.

  • $63,190
  • 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

Carpenter

Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.

  • $60,580
  • 3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Run the plants and systems that clean drinking water and treat wastewater.

  • $60,020
  • Months to years (on the job + certification)

Compare: Plumber vs. HVAC Technician · Plumber vs. Electrician · Plumber vs. Carpenter · Plumber vs. Water Operator

Plumber FAQ

How long does it take to become a licensed plumber?

Most plumbers complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship before taking a journeyman licensing exam.

What’s the difference between a plumber and a pipefitter?

Plumbers focus on water, drainage and gas systems in buildings; pipefitters and steamfitters work on high-pressure piping for heating, cooling and industrial processes.

Can plumbers make six figures?

Many experienced plumbers do (the top 10% earn six figures in BLS pay data), especially with overtime, specialties or their own business.

How much does a plumber make?

The median annual wage for plumbers was $63,800 ($30.67 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,150 and the highest 10% earned more than $108,420.

How long does it take to become a plumber?

Most people need about 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma or GED is typically required. Plumbers usually complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship with paid on-the-job training and classroom study, then pass a state journeyman exam. Some start at a technical school.

Do you need a degree to be a plumber?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.

More plumber questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz