Plumbing · Lesson 13 of 13Beginner4 min read
Careers in Plumbing
Every building needs water in and waste out, and somebody has to design, install and fix it. Plumbing is one of the skilled trades you can learn while you earn, through a paid apprenticeship, and it can lead to a license, a business of your own, or both.
What plumbers do
The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes plumbers as installing and repairing water, gas and other piping systems in homes, businesses and factories. They install fixtures and appliances such as water heaters, clean drains, repair broken pipes and help maintain septic systems. Pipefitters and steamfitters work on piping that carries chemicals, acids, gases and steam, often in factories and power plants. BLS lists the everyday tasks:
- Prepare cost estimates for clients
- Read blueprints and follow state and local building codes
- Determine the materials and equipment needed for a job
- Install pipes and fixtures
- Inspect and test installed pipe systems and pipelines
- Troubleshoot malfunctioning systems
- Maintain and repair plumbing systems
BLS lists the important qualities: communication skills, dexterity in tight spaces, mechanical skills, physical strength and troubleshooting skills. Most work full time, including nights and weekends, and many are on call for emergencies. Common injuries include cuts from sharp tools, burns from hot pipes and soldering equipment, and falls from ladders.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, page last modified August 27, 2026.
Pay and outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook (page last modified August 27, 2026), the median pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters was $63,800 a year, or $30.67 an hour, in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $44,150 and the highest-paid 10 percent more than $108,420.
There were 510,600 of these jobs in 2025. Employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 34,500 jobs, with about 42,000 openings a year on average. Many openings come from replacing workers who move to other jobs or retire. BLS says demand for plumbers comes from new construction and from maintaining and repairing the systems in existing buildings. These figures are updated every year; check the handbook for the latest.
| Employer | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Government | $71,660 |
| Manufacturing | $65,770 |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | $63,270 |
| Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors | $63,010 |
Training: the apprenticeship
BLS says a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, and most plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships usually last 4 or 5 years. Each year, apprentices typically get 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus some technical instruction, covering safety, local plumbing codes and blueprint reading, along with math, applied physics and chemistry. Unions, trade associations and businesses sponsor programs. Vocational-technical schools offer courses in pipe system design, safety and tool use.
A Registered Apprenticeship is approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. Apprenticeship.gov describes it as a paid job with a mentor, structured on-the-job training, supplemental classroom education, wage increases as your skills grow, and a portable, nationally recognized credential at the end. You can search for programs near you on Apprenticeship.gov.
Licenses: journey-level and master
Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed, BLS says. Licensing often requires 2 to 5 years of experience and passing an exam on the trade and the local code. After finishing an apprenticeship and passing the licensing exam, a worker is considered journey-level. Master plumbers generally need several more years of experience and another exam; some go on to supervise, manage projects, or start their own contracting business, which may need additional licensing. Some states require pipefitters and steamfitters to be licensed too, and some require a separate license for gas line work.
The details, from the hours you need to the exam, are set by each state and sometimes each city or county. Your state’s plumbing licensing board or department of labor has them.
Check yourself
Tap an answer to check it, or open “Show the answer.”
What was the median yearly pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in May 2025, according to BLS?
Show the answer
$63,800. $63,800 a year, or $30.67 an hour.
How long do plumbing apprenticeships usually last?
Show the answer
4 or 5 years. 4 or 5 years, with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year.
What does BLS project for employment growth, 2025 to 2035?
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7 percent growth, much faster than average. 7 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Which is true about plumbing licenses?
Show the answer
Most states and some localities require them; rules vary. Licensing is set by states and sometimes localities.
Go deeper
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (last modified August 27, 2026) The full Occupational Outlook Handbook profile, updated each year.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: Apprenticeship Finder Find a registered apprenticeship near you.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: Explore Registered Apprenticeship What a Registered Apprenticeship is.
- The Trades: all courses More trades and courses.
Sources
A free course from Teddy Rook Book. It explains how plumbing works in general and follows U.S. sources; your local plumbing code, the authority having jurisdiction and manufacturers’ instructions are the final word.