Career comparison
Manufactured Home Installer vs. Plumber
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Plumbers earn more at the median ($63,800 vs. $45,990), while manufactured home installers usually get to work faster (A few weeks to months of training). Manufactured home installers set up and connect manufactured and modular homes on site. Plumbers install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Manufactured Home Installer | Plumber | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,990 ($22.11/hr) | $63,800 ($30.67/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $27,120 – $60,810 | $44,150 – $108,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.8% (faster than average) | +6.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 300 | 42,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks to months | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | State installer license | Journeyman plumber license |
| Work setting | Installers work outdoors at home sites and parks.. | Plumbers work in homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. |
What each job does
Manufactured Home Installer
- Set homes
- Level homes
- Install anchors
- Join sections
- Connect utilities
Plumber
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, in-demand, and travel. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose manufactured home installer if…
- I like varied hands-on work
- I don’t mind crawl spaces
- I like teamwork
Choose plumber if…
- I like fixing things and figuring out what’s wrong
- Dirty or messy work doesn’t bother me
- I’m comfortable working in tight spaces
Still torn? Take the Manufactured Home Installer fit quiz and the Plumber fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, manufactured home installer or plumber?
Plumbers earn more at the median: $63,800 versus $45,990 for manufactured home installers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Manufactured Home Installers typically train faster (A few weeks to months) than plumbers (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects plumbers to grow +6.8% from 2025–35, compared with +5.8% for manufactured home installers.