Plumbers are sought after today due to the constant development of new buildings and residences, as well as the need to maintain existing plumbing infrastructure in current facilities. Obviously, you will never suffer from the shortage of employment options if you have a plumbing specialization. Apart from that, working as a plumber comes with numerous advantages, including career stability, the ability to work in different spots, and the opportunity to make a solid income. But how much do expats make in various countries? What factors impact their earnings and career prospects? This is where we will help you to navigate through. So, keep reading to have these questions answered.

Possible Income Level and Employment Opportunities

Let’s start with consulting one of the most reliable sources of average wages: the US Bureau of Labor Stats. According to the data provided by the agency, the average plumbing professional earned almost $61,000 in 2021. The medior income of a specialist varies depending on a number of factors, including region, hands-on skills, and type of specialization. 

The specialists may receive hourly compensation or a yearly salary, which is determined by the nature of their work. When it comes to the hourly salary for a plumber, it might vary greatly, but the US national average is $28.89, according to labor stats from the US Bureau. Journeyman plumbers make more than entry-level specialists after accomplishing their apprenticeship and obtaining a particular degree of expertise. A journeyman plumber's annual income is around $65,448.

Top-level plumbers make more money as they have extra experience and competence. A master plumber's pay can reach up to $99,000, depending on where they work and how much demand there is for their services. Importantly, some may charge extra rates for urgent or target services, which might impact their overall profits. 

The average plumber fee differs by state as well. Specialists earn more in places with a high demand for development services and a higher price of living. Plumbers in Los Angeles or Chicago, for example, frequently earn bigger amounts than people in less heavily inhabited or lower-cost locations. Luckily, you can easily research the market and find plumbing jobs abroad on Jooble, as there are plenty of hiring websites on the web. So, if you want to make the maximum out of your plumbing career, take your time to run in-depth employment/ income research and make informed decisions based on the data.

Plumbers working in manufacturing or on government projects are also paid somewhat more — slightly more than $57,100 and over $56,800, respectively. That's a fairly good wage. In fact, according to US News & World Report, plumbing is the sixth-highest paying job without a college degree. Therefore, it is critical for people pursuing a career in plumbing to study the regional industry and comprehend the prospective income opportunities.

Factors Impacting the Wage

Estimating the average certified plumber's pay entails bearing in mind a number of critical factors that greatly impact the broad range of earnings between locations. The best place to start is with the median wage in the country, but it varies greatly by state owing to a plumber's degree and experience level, any extra talents, and the particular region (country, state, city):

• Expertise level — As plumbing is frequently connected with one’s experience, a specialist’s skill level can have a substantial impact on their revenue potential.

• Specialization — Plumbing is a broad profession that includes residential plumbing, development assistance for commercial structures, pipe fitting, and other specialties. Those who seek extra education and target specialization in target areas of the field often fetch better pay. A plumber with competence in medical gas structures, for example, may count on higher-paying career prospects.

• Regulatory specs — Specialists are to meet rigorous educational specs in several areas. This not only assures that specialists are qualified to do their jobs, but it can also have an impact on their revenue potential.

• Experience — It is the most important factor affecting the income level of a specialist. Here is a breakdown of the annual average wage at each career level (entry-level — $36,800; jun-level — $47,500; midior-level — $59,800; sr-level — $77,900; top-level — $99,900).

As you can see, there is no black-and-white in the average plumber’s wage as there are multiple factors that might impact one’s income level. But one thing we can say for sure — this specialization is quite promising in terms of employment and revenue opportunities.

Let’s Wrap up

A job in plumbing provides a consistent salary, opportunities for professional development, and financial security. Starting with a salary of roughly $36,700 as an entry-level specialist, you can earn up to $99,920 or even more as an experienced plumber.