High-Paying Plumbing Jobs: How to Get Hired and Earn Big
Plumbing is one of the best-paying skilled trades in the U.S., offering job security, excellent salaries, and career growth. With a nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople, plumbers are in high demand across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
1. Licensed Master Plumber
-
Average Salary: $70,000 – $100,000+ per year
-
Responsibilities: Supervising plumbing projects, designing systems, obtaining permits, and mentoring junior plumbers.
-
Why It Pays Well: Requires extensive experience and state licensing.
2. Commercial Plumber
-
Average Salary: $60,000 – $90,000 per year
-
Responsibilities: Installing and maintaining plumbing systems in large buildings, hospitals, and factories.
-
Why It Pays Well: Involves complex piping systems and higher job demands.
3. Industrial Plumber
-
Average Salary: $75,000 – $120,000 per year
-
Responsibilities: Working on high-pressure systems in factories, refineries, and power plants.
-
Why It Pays Well: Requires specialized knowledge and certifications.
4. Union Plumber
-
Average Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 per year (including benefits)
-
Responsibilities: Handling large-scale plumbing jobs for government projects, hospitals, and commercial sites.
-
Why It Pays Well: Union contracts guarantee higher wages, benefits, and job security.
5. Plumbing Business Owner
-
Average Salary: $100,000 – $250,000+ per year
-
Responsibilities: Running a plumbing company, hiring workers, managing clients, and overseeing projects.
-
Why It Pays Well: Business owners set their own rates and scale their earnings.
Plumbing Salary Breakdown by State
Certain states offer higher pay due to demand and cost of living. The highest-paying states for plumbers in 2025 include:
-
California – $75,000 – $120,000
-
New York – $70,000 – $110,000
-
Illinois – $65,000 – $105,000
-
Texas – $60,000 – $100,000
-
Florida – $55,000 – $95,000
Plumbing offers one of the best-paying career paths without requiring a college degree. Whether you’re starting as an apprentice or aiming to become a master plumber, there are plenty of high-paying opportunities available.
Ready to get started? Look for apprenticeship programs in your area or apply to top-paying plumbing companies today!