Median salary, job outlook, education requirements, and top cities by pay.
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn some of the best pay in the skilled trades, and the work cannot be outsourced or automated — pipes are installed and fixed on site, by hand. Like electrical work, plumbing is a licensed trade in nearly every state, which keeps wages strong and entry orderly: a paid apprenticeship of four to five years leads to a journeyman license, then a master license for those who want to run their own business. Demand is steady (buildings always need water and gas) with spikes from new construction in growing regions. Service plumbers who handle emergency calls earn premium rates, and master plumbers with their own trucks are among the highest-earning tradespeople in the country. The job is physical — crawl spaces, trenches, heavy pipe — and the first years involve plenty of unglamorous work. But it rewards problem-solvers, and the license you earn is yours for life.
| Metro | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103K |
| Bellingham, WA | $103K |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $97K |
| Bloomington, IN | $97K |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $96K |
A $64K salary goes much further in some metros than others. Compare housing, food, and transport costs before you relocate.
Requirements vary by employer. Many entry-level positions accept on-the-job training, while others require certifications or specific degrees. Check individual job listings for details.
Salaries vary by location, experience, and employer. Use our salary tool to see median pay and city-level comparisons based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Yes. Many employers in this field hire workers regardless of country of origin, provided you have valid work authorization. Job listings on Job4Migrants are open to all qualified candidates.
Working English is needed for the licensing exam and code classes, and service plumbers talk with customers daily. On new-construction crews, less English is needed day to day. Studying plumbing code vocabulary is the most efficient language preparation.
Yes. The paid apprenticeship is the entire education path — no degree required. A high school diploma or equivalent is the usual entry bar, and you earn wages throughout training.
The $64K median shown above corresponds roughly to journeyman level — about 4–5 years in. Apprentices start around half that and get scheduled raises; service and master plumbers go well past the median.
US plumbing licenses are issued by states (sometimes cities), and you must pass the local exam. Many jurisdictions accept documented foreign experience toward the required hours — collect reference letters and any certificates from previous employers before applying.
Plumbers work on water, gas, and drainage systems in homes and buildings; pipefitters and steamfitters install high-pressure industrial pipe in plants, refineries, and power facilities. Pipefitting is more often union, travels more, and pays a premium for industrial shutdown work.
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