Plumber job outlook

The job market for plumbers is expected to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030, which is average compared to other careers.

Plumber career snapshot

Median pay

$59,880 ($28.79/hr)

Required degrees

None

10-year job growth

5% (Average)

One of the best things about a career as a plumber is that there will always be work because people will always want running water and sewage disposal in the places that they work and live.

The job outlook for plumbers is positive and is expected to only get better. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for plumbers is expected to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030. About 51,000 job openings are projected per year on average over the decade.

Plumber job growth (2010-2019)

Plumber job growth (2010-2019)

State Average Annual Openings Total Employment
Alabama 910 7130
Alaska 160 1310
Arizona 580 4070
Arkansas 480 3540
California 6910 53100
Colorado 1910 11870
Connecticut 710 5210
Delaware 180 1350
District of Columbia 150 1080
Florida 3930 28840
Georgia 1570 12050
Hawaii 280 2240
Idaho 30 1800
Illinois 1880 16290
Indiana 1500 11420
Iowa 890 6540
Kansas 620 5150
Kentucky 910 7630
Louisiana 0 9340
Maine 250 2330
Maryland 1280 8920
Massachusetts 1740 14070
Michigan 1630 13290
Minnesota 1270 9680
Mississippi 20 3940
Missouri 920 7200
Montana 310 2240
Nebraska 740 5930
Nevada 290 1780
New Hampshire 240 1790
New Jersey 1350 10280
New Mexico 370 2810
New York 4220 31940
North Carolina 1830 13290
North Dakota 210 1620
Ohio 1980 15150
Oklahoma 950 7420
Oregon 950 6720
Pennsylvania 2080 16540
Rhode Island 260 1980
South Carolina 830 6230
South Dakota 220 1680
Tennessee 990 7370
Texas 6760 49480
Utah 910 5590
Vermont 90 750
Virginia 1910 14880
Washington 1670 12040
West Virginia 240 1930
Wisconsin 1100 8510
Wyoming 130 980

Plumber job growth vs other careers

The job growth over the next decade for plumbers is compared with that of other trades below:

  • Plumbers – 5%
  • HVAC technicians - 5%
  • Electricians - 9%
  • Roofing Contractors – 4.8%
  • Construction – 5.1%
  • Oil and Gas Extraction – 0.2%
  • Manufacturing – 3.5%

>> Learn More: Average Plumber Salary