In short
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earned a median $63,800 a year in May 2025, or about $31 an hour, according to BLS. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $44,150, and the top 10 percent more than $108,420. New apprentices start near the bottom. Licensed plumbers who run service calls or commercial jobs, and industrial pipefitters, tend to earn the most.
Yearly wages for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters across the U.S., BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly figures divide by 2,080 hours, so overtime is not counted. New apprentices usually sit near or below the bottom-quarter line.
| Middle pay | $63,800 a year, roughly $30.67 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then apprenticeship |
| People in the trade | About 510,600 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 6.8% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 42,000, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
What moves plumbing pay
- License level: a journeyman license raises your rate, and a master license lets you pull permits and run your own jobs in most places.
- Service vs new construction: service plumbers often earn commission or flat-rate bonuses on top of hourly pay.
- Industrial pipe: pipefitters and steamfitters on refineries, power plants and big mechanical jobs often earn above the median.
- Union scale: union plumbers and fitters usually have negotiated wages plus benefits.
On-call and emergency work
Many plumbing companies pay extra for nights, weekends and emergency calls. That extra pay is not in the BLS numbers above, which exclude overtime, but it can add a meaningful amount over a year.
Start on the plumbing path
Tell us your ZIP and we will send plumbing training options near you.
Straight answers
How much does a plumber make an hour?
The median is about $31 an hour. The top 10 percent earn over $52 an hour.
Do plumbers make more than electricians?
They are close. In May 2025 the median for plumbers and pipefitters was $63,800 and for electricians $63,190.
How much do plumbing apprentices make?
Apprentices earn a share of the journeyman rate that climbs on a schedule. See apprentice pay.