Salary Range of a Plumber
Plumbers fix leaks, from the tinest drips to the largest gushes. Fotolia.com”>
When something leaks, drains slowly, clogs, spills or doesn’t flush, it’s a plumber to the rescue. Plumbers are skilled professionals trained in the pipes, grouts, wiring and piecework of residential homes’ plumbing systems, office buildings, public areas and outdoor structures. Although usually only called in times of emergency, plumbers help stop–or start–the flow of water. The salary range for plumbers varies according to several factors.
National Average
When the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveyed the country’s plumbers in 2009 for its annual wages survey, it established the average salary for the profession as $49,870. The BLS also notes the range within the field, with plumbers at the highest 90th percentile earning around $79,470 while those in the bottom 10th percentile earn around $27,600 per year.
Location
The top-paying states for plumber salaries are scattered across the country. The BLS ranks Illinois as offering the highest plumber salaries, averaging $67,610 annually. Alaska takes second place, with salaries of around $67,320. Alaska also takes second place–behind Wyoming–for the state with the highest per capita employment of plumbers. Massachusetts rates as the country’s third top-paying state, with an average salary of $62,010, followed by New Jersey at $61,640. The District of Columbia rounds out the top five with an annual average of $60,650.
Considerations
Prospective plumbers have a number of ways to attain salaries in the field, as there is no singular requirement in terms of education or experience. Some companies will higher plumbers with just a high school diploma or GED and conduct on-the-job training with a master plumber or more experienced workers. Many community colleges and technical schools across the country offer diploma, certificate and degree programs in plumbing basics. Candidates also have the option to combine earning a salary with learning on the job through a paid apprenticeship. Organizations such as the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association offer training, workshops, textbooks and home study programs.
Outlook
The BLS doesn’t anticipate plumber employment to decrease any time soon. It expects a 15 percent rise in employment of plumbers, adding 75,800 jobs through 2018. The bureau recommends prospective plumbers seek companies specializing in “green” services as one of the best opportunities to secure salaries.
