How to Become a Plumber
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping systems that carry water, gas, and steam in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Median pay is $63,800 per year ($30.67/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.
| 2025 median pay | $63,800/year ($30.67/hour) |
|---|---|
| Entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training path | Apprenticeship (typically 4-5 years) |
| Job outlook | 7% growth 2025-35; about 42,000 openings a year |
| Jobs in the US | 480,000+ |
The path in, step by step
- Earn a high school diploma; chemistry and physics help.
- Enter a 4-to-5-year apprenticeship through a union (UA) local, a PHCC chapter, or a plumbing contractor. Some states let you start as a registered apprentice with no test.
- Log roughly 7,500 to 10,000 on-the-job hours plus classroom hours, with pay increasing each year.
- Pass your state's journeyman plumber exam; master plumber licensure follows with more experience.
How long it takes
4 to 5 years to journeyman; longer to master.
What it costs
Apprenticeships are usually free to the trainee beyond tools and fees; trade school tuition varies widely.
What working tradespeople say
- Plumbing cannot be offshored and resists automation, which is why veterans call it recession-resistant.
- Service and repair plumbers often out-earn new-construction plumbers; consider where you want to specialize.
- Get your apprentice card early even if you start digging ditches; hours only count once you are registered.
- Backflow certification and medical gas certification are lucrative add-ons later.
Run your own numbers
See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our salary to hourly calculator, and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the compound interest calculator (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our resume templates and cover letter examples are free.
More trade guides
- Electrician$63,190/yr median
- HVAC Technician$61,010/yr median
- Welder$53,750/yr median
- Carpenter$60,580/yr median
- Auto Mechanic$50,620/yr median
- Ironworker$62,780/yr median
- Solar Installer$53,140/yr median
- Truck Driver (CDL)$58,640/yr median
- Boilermaker$76,410/yr median
- Elevator Installer$109,910/yr median
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800/yr median
Frequently asked questions
How much does plumber pay?
The national median is $63,800 per year ($30.67/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.
Do I need college to get into the trades?
No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.
How long does it take to become a plumber?
4 to 5 years to journeyman; longer to master.
Union or non-union: which is better?
Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.
Will AI replace trade jobs?
Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.