Many people believe that you have to go to college to get a good job, but that isn't true. When you google "how much do plumbers make?", you might be surprised by the high wages in this profession. The average plumber makes around $26 per hour, but earnings can increase significantly when the individual becomes a master plumber, sets up their own business, or trains to become a specialist. How Much Do Plumbers Make? Young people seeking a well-paid job that doesn't require a four-year college degree should look into plumbing. This profession offers great working conditions and above-average salaries. At first, you will start out as an apprentice plumber, working under a highly skilled contractor and learning the tricks of the trade. After two to four years, you can become fully qualified. At that time, you can already out-earn the average American. Once you've worked for a while, you can complete an additional qualification that allows you to train other plumbers. The most experienced professionals can earn very high salaries, sometimes more than $100,000 per year.
Apprentice Plumbers
Before you become a fully qualified plumber, you have to work as an apprentice for 4,000 to 12,000 hours. During this time, you might still be going to plumbing school, or you might already have completed your formal education. Fortunately, plumbing apprenticeships are almost always paid, so you will be compensated for your work. During your years as an apprentice, you can expect to make around $15 to $20 per hour. In the US, the average annual salary for an apprentice plumber is just over $38,000. However, your exact compensation will depend on your location, the firm you work for, and the amount of experience you already have.
Journeymen
After your apprenticeship, you can sit an exam to become a licensed plumber. The process is slightly different in every state, so you should check your local guidelines. As a journeyman plumber, you can expect to earn between $20 and $30 per hour. Currently, the average salary in this profession is just over $26 per hour, which translates to roughly $54,000 per year. This is significantly higher than the 2019 US median wage of $34,000, and it even beats the mean wage of $52,000. If you'd like to earn even more money, you can always work overtime as a plumber.
Master Plumbers
Once you've worked as a journeyman for several years, you can take a second exam to become a master plumber. This job title allows you to train aspiring plumbers and improves your reputation in your local professional community. You will also be able to charge significantly more for your work. Master plumbers regularly earn $70,000 or more, and some of them even make a six-figure salary.
Other Factors Affecting Pay
Your level of experience and license are the two most important factors influencing your pay, but they aren't the only ones. When figuring out how much you can make as a plumber, you will also need to take into consideration where you live and what the cost of living is, how well you perform at your job, what extra qualifications you have, and whether you run your own business or work for yourself. Some of these factors are hard to change, but many of them are within your control. Therefore, you can influence and gradually increase the amount you make as you become more experienced.
Your Geographical Location
Not all states offer the same level of pay for plumbers. According to Indeed, the best state for this profession is Massachusetts, where you earn 37% more than average. Some other great options are Utah, Connecticut, and Alaska, which all offer a 26-28% higher salary than average. In contrast, plumbers in South Carolina, Mississippi, South Dakota, Iowa, and Arkansas make significantly less than the national average. Although this might seem unfair, you should also consider the cost of living in these locations. If purchasing a property and paying for day-to-day life is less expensive than average in your state, a lower salary might easily cover all your expenses.
The Quality of Your Service
A great way to earn more is to increase the quality of your work. The better you are at your job, the more options you have. If your customers are very happy with your work, you can ask your employer for more money or switch to a more reputable company in your area. Additionally, being a great plumber allows you to set up your own business, which can increase your revenue even further.
Your Specializations
Once you've received your plumbing license, you can install, repair, and maintain a variety of household appliances. However, you should try to increase your scope by doing additional training. Studies have shown that someone trained in boiler repair earns approximately 38% more than an average plumber. To find out how to increase your revenue, research the most valued skills in your area and complete the relevant training.
Whether You Own a Business
As a plumber, you can either work for someone else or set up your own business. The former option provides you with a lot of stability, so it could be good for people who don't want to take on extra risk. However, you can earn more in the long run if you become your own boss. In addition to completing jobs yourself, you can hire others to visit your customers' houses, so you get paid for someone else's labor. While you can significantly increase your earnings as a business owner, there are no guarantees. People who are badly organized often fail to make a good profit, and they run the risk of losing their customers. To maximize your company's performance, you'll have to make use of the best organizational tools available. Purchasing home service software could be a great way of reducing your paperwork and automating data entry. If you've ever Googled "how much do plumbers make?", you'll know that this job's salary exceeds both the mean and median of all professions in the US. You might start out with a moderate wage, but you can work your way up to a six-figure salary over time, especially if you open your own business and keep on top of your schedule. Get in touch with us now at ServiceBox to find out more about our software and to sign up for the free demo.
