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Trades/Plumbing

Plumbing

Water supply, drainage, and gas piping installation and repair

$63k/yr median+6% growth (10-yr)42,600 openings/yrLicense required

Wages & Job Outlook

$63k

Median wage

per year

$41k

Entry wage

per year

$105k

Top 10%

per year

43K

Annual openings

jobs per year

📈+6% projected job growth over 10 years — faster than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Environment

mixed

Overtime

common

Physical demand

high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

Moderate hazard

Recession-resistant · Classified as essential service

Overview

Plumbers install and repair water supply lines, drainage systems, and gas piping in residential and commercial buildings. The trade requires reading blueprints, understanding local codes, and working with copper, PVC, and PEX materials.

Day in the Life

A typical day starts with reviewing job orders and loading the service van. Morning calls often involve drain clogs or leak repairs. Afternoon may include rough-in work on a new construction site, cutting and soldering copper pipe. Paperwork and invoicing wrap up the day.

How to Get Started

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

PHCC or UA 5-year apprenticeship combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction

Duration: 5 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

6–18 month plumbing technology programs at community colleges and vocational schools

Duration: 6–18 monthsCost: Moderate tuition

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Start as a helper and work up through experience under licensed plumber

Duration: 4–6 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Find local plumbing training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Career Ladder

Plumber's Helper

$38k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Assists journeyman plumbers, hauls materials, digs trenches

Apprentice Plumber

$48k/yr

1–5 yrs exp.

Enrolled in formal apprenticeship, works under supervision

Journeyman Plumber

$62k/yr

5–10 yrs exp.

Licensed to work independently on most projects

Master Plumber

$78k/yr

10+ yrs exp.

Highest license level, can pull permits and supervise apprentices

Plumbing Contractor

$95k/yr

10+ yrs exp.

Owns and operates a plumbing business

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
CA	Yes	C-36 Plumbing Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
TX	Yes	Master Plumber / Responsible Master Plumber (RMP)	TSBPE (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners)
FL	Yes	Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide) or Registered Plumbing Contractor (local-scope)	Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
NY	No	–	–
IL	Yes	Licensed Plumber + Plumbing Contractor registration	IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health)
PA	No	–	–
OH	Yes	Plumbing Contractor License (Commercial)	OCILB (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board)
GA	Yes	Master Plumber Class I (restricted) / Class II (unrestricted)	Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board (Div. of Master & Journeyman Plumbers, Secretary of State)
NC	Yes	Plumbing Class I Contractor (P-I); Class II for single-family residential	NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors (SBPHFSC)
MI	Yes	Plumbing Contractor license (qualified by a Master Plumber)	Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes
WA	Yes	Plumbing Contractor license + Plumber Certification (PL01 journey-level)	Washington L&I (Department of Labor & Industries)
AZ	Yes	C-37 (commercial) / R-37 (residential) / CR-37 (dual) Plumbing	Arizona ROC (Registrar of Contractors)
VA	Yes	Contractor license (Class A/B/C) with PLB Plumbing specialty (+ Master Plumber tradesman credential)	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
NJ	Yes	Master Plumber license / Plumbing Contractor (qualified by a licensed Master Plumber)	NJ State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs)
TN	Yes	Contractor license w/ plumbing classification (CMC-A / CMC); Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) for smaller jobs	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman5 yrs

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$41k

Median$63k

Top 10%$105k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a plumbing business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

4.5×–8×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2.5×–4.5×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →