Career comparison
Plumber vs. Water Well Driller
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. $60,190), while water well drillers usually get to work faster (1–3 years of training). Plumbers install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code. Water well drillers drill wells for water, geothermal systems and soil testing.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Plumber | Water Well Driller | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,800 ($30.67/hr) | $60,190 ($28.94/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,150 – $108,420 | $44,460 – $83,800 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.8% (faster than average) | +3.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 42,000 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | 1–3 years |
| Key credential | Journeyman plumber license | State water well driller license |
| Work setting | Plumbers work in homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. | Drillers work outdoors at homes, farms, construction and environmental sites, often driving between locations.. |
What each job does
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
Water Well Driller
- Set up and operate drill rigs
- Drill through soil and rock
- Install casing and screens
- Install pumps and pressure tanks
- Develop and test wells
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working independently, and travel. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and energy & utilities, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and problem solving.
Which should you choose?
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
Choose water well driller if…
- I like big machines
- I enjoy working outdoors
- I’m curious about geology
Still torn? Take the Plumber fit quiz and the Water Well Driller fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, plumber or water well driller?
Plumbers earn more at the median: $63,800 versus $60,190 for water well drillers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Water Well Drillers typically train faster (1–3 years) 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 +3.6% for water well drillers.