Plumber: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Plumbers earn a national median of $62,970/yr with 4.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Mechanical, Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$62,970
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.5%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
455,940
2024 data
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Plumber
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Plumber candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Plumber performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Plumber roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.5% for Plumber roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 455,940
- Projected Growth
- 4.5%
- Typical Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Plumber do?
- Plumbers apply expertise in Mechanical, Building and Construction, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Installation, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Troubleshooting.
- How much does a Plumber make?
- The national median salary for a Plumber is $62,970 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Plumber a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Plumber roles is projected to grow 4.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 455,940 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Plumber?
- The typical entry-level education for a Plumber is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Plumbers need?
- The most important skills for Plumber roles based on verified occupational data: Installation, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Operations Monitoring, Active Listening, Repairing. Key tools and technologies include: Intuit QuickBooks, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.