In short
Electricians and plumbers both usually train through four to five year apprenticeships and need state or local licenses. At the median, electricians earned $63,190 and plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters $63,800 in May 2025. Electrical work leans toward troubleshooting circuits and code math; plumbing involves water, gas and drain systems, crawlspaces and a lot of customer service work.
| Trade by trade | Electricians | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters |
|---|---|---|
| Middle pay (May 2025) | $63,190 | $63,800 |
| Per hour, roughly | $30.38 | $30.67 |
| How most start | High school or GED | High school or GED |
| On-the-job training | Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| People in the trade (2025) | 821,000 | 510,600 |
| Growth, 2025 to 2035 | 9.2% | 6.8% |
| Openings a year | 72,700 | 42,000 |
Numbers: BLS projections, 2025 to 2035, U.S. middle pay. A guide for planning, not a quote from an employer.
Daily work
| Electrician | Plumber | |
|---|---|---|
| Main systems | Power, lighting, controls | Water supply, drains, gas |
| Tough parts | Attics, live circuits, code math | Crawlspaces, messes, heavy pipe |
| Service work | Some | A lot |
Still deciding?
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Straight answers
Which pays more, electrician or plumber?
At the median, the two are close. See the table above for the May 2025 numbers.
Which is harder to learn?
Most say electrical theory and code math are harder; plumbing is more physically demanding.
Can I switch between them later?
Yes, but you would start a new apprenticeship.