Plumbing Industry Statistics and Trends to Know for 2025 (and Beyond)

1. The plumbing industry is on the rebound

Whether you’re an experienced plumber or researching whether this is the industry for you, rest assured—plumbing holds big potential.

Despite a slowdown in growth over the last few years, the plumbing industry statistics show strong figures in overall market value, active businesses, and a surge in the job market in the coming years.

• The U.S. plumbing market is currently valued at  $158.6 billion 
• There are currently 132,000 plumbing businesses in the United States
• The plumbing consumer market grew 3.3% in 2024
• The plumbing job market is expected to grow by 6% through 2033, which is faster than the national average

2. Plumbing salaries, descriptions, and job outlook can change

The plumbing industry boasts a sizable workforce, with the majority being men. To attract and retain top talent and hard working professionals, offering competitive salaries is key. If you’re a plumbing business owner planning to grow your team, here are a few essential stats to keep in mind:

• The plumbing industry in the U.S. currently employs 736,000 people
• A plumber in the United States earns, on average, $61,550 USD annually, or $29.59 hourly
• 96.5% of plumbers in the U.S. are male, while 3.5% of plumbers are female
• Labor data shows that the average plumber is 41 years old, or mid-career

While the plumbing industry is booming, the talent shortage continues to be a problem for construction industries looking to fill open positions. 

As more and more plumbers reach retirement age, you can expect the labor shortage to be an issue for years to come.

• Approximately 42,600 plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting jobs are projected each year for the next decade
• The U.S. is expected to be short 550,000 plumbers by 2027 
• By 2024, the percentage of plumbers over the age of 55 is expected to reach nearly 25%

Pro Tip: To deal with the potential labor shortage, offer competitive pay and good benefits to stand out. 

Include other perks like flexible hours, health insurance, and paid time off. You can also provide on-the-job training to help newer plumbers learn the skills they need, giving them a clear way to grow in their career.

READ MORE: How to write a plumber job description and attract qualified candidates

3. Customers expect personalized customer service

When a customer invests in your plumbing business, they’re looking for more than just a job well done. They’re looking for personalized customer service that makes them feel like they’re your number one and encourages them to recommend your business to family and friends.

Not convinced? These stats prove why customer service continues to dominate the plumbing industry statistics and trend list—and how personalized customer service can benefit your plumbing business:

• 66% of customers expect businesses to understand their unique service needs
• 89% of customers are more likely to request another service after a good customer service experience
• You can improve your job win-rate by 8% when you offer personalized customer service

4. Clients want convenient online payment options

When it’s time to pay for your plumbing services, customers are looking for an easy online alternative to taking out cash or writing a check. Here are the stats you need to know for online payments:

• Online payments grew to 40% of all payments processed in 2023
• 21% of skilled tradespeople offer customers third-party financing options
• Digital payments are the preferred payment method for 75% of customers

5. Smart plumbing fixtures are gaining popularity 

Demand for smart plumbing fixtures is skyrocketing in the U.S., and plumbing technicians should prepare to install many more smart fixtures in the future. These technologies make homes more convenient while boosting water conservation and energy efficiency.

Check out these stats on smart plumbing fixtures:

• Smart plumbing fixtures will be valued at $6.7 billion by the year 2027
• The smart toilet market is expected to reach $12.9 billion by 2026
• The smart bathroom market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1% through 2030

While many of these options sound a bit unconventional at first, they’re gaining popularity with consumers. Some of the latest smart plumbing trends include:

• Voice-activated faucets that allow you to turn taps on and off without touching the handle
• Smart shower heads that are voice-activated and can be programmed with the preferred water temperature and steam preferences for each household member
• Smart irrigation systems that collect data from weather forecasts and sensors to turn sprinklers on only when needed
• Smart toilets that will automatically open, flush, and self-clean (advanced toilets may also offer heated seats, air drying, and motion-activated lights)
• WiFi water filtration to help you keep track of your water filtration system from your mobile device and turn your water off from anywhere in case of a leak

6. Water leak detection devices help avoid leaks

A leaking pipe or faucet can quickly turn into a flooded basement and costly repairs. Smart water leak detection devices monitor for leaks and alert homeowners via text or email, helping them take action before damage occurs. These devices are especially valuable for protecting homes from unexpected leaks while homeowners are away or traveling.

Here are three reasons you should be installing leak detection systems for your customers:

• Residential water leaks waste almost 1 trillion gallons of water across the US each year
• A leaky faucet can waste 3,000 gallons of water a year
• The average insurance claim for residential water damage is $11,098
• Water damage restoration costs homeowners $3,814 on average

7. Greywater plumbing systems are becoming more common

Greywater is the lightly used water from sinks, showers, washing machines, and bathtubs. Greywater systems help conserve and reuse this water for irrigation.

Educating your customers about greywater plumbing systems can benefit the environment, reduce water consumption, and save them money.

Start by offering customers these stats:

• Greywater systems can help you save up to 40,000 gallons of water each year
• Running one load of clothing through a washing machine can produce 15 to 40 gallons of grey water—enough to keep most trees or plants alive year-round
• In California, homeowners can save more than $220 a year by adding a greywater system

8. Tankless water heaters replace traditional water heaters

Unlike traditional water heaters that are designed to heat large amounts of water Unlike traditional water heaters that are designed to heat large amounts of water regardless of how much you actually use, tankless water heaters will only provide hot water on an as-needed basis.

Check out these water heater stats:

• Water heating accounts for 20% of your home’s energy use
• Tankless water heaters can be 24–34% more energy efficient than traditional water heaters, significantly reducing water usage
• In 2022, U.S. shipments of residential gas storage water heaters decreased by 13%
• Tankless water heaters can last more than 20 years, compared to storage water heaters that will need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years

9. Digital marketing helps to reach new customers online 

To reach more customers and grow your plumbing business, you’ll want to build a To reach more customers and grow your plumbing business, you’ll want to build a plumbing website, create an SEO strategy, and invest in plumbing ads.

Here are a few stats that prove why you should be marketing your plumbing business online:

• Small businesses that offer online booking can increase revenue by up to 120%
• 51% of customers use mobile searches to discover a new business
• 54% of customers research plumbing services online before scheduling an appointment

10. Online reviews improve your brand’s reputation

The demand for plumbers is growing, but so is the competition. Getting positive reviews from happy customers is an essential way to boost your brand’s reputation and win more plumbing business. Here’s why:

• 77% of customers read online reviews when searching for a local business
• In a survey of 626 Americans, 92% of respondents consider online reviews before hiring a local home service business
• In the same survey, 63% responded that they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations

11. Mobile client communication is your best bet

Most of your plumbing clients will be busy homeowners or business owners. This means that they’ll probably value quick and convenient communication—and mobile is the way to deliver it. 

Whether you choose to send appointment reminders, share real-time job updates, or respond to website inquiries, mobile communication (like text messaging) keeps you connected and builds trust with your customers. 

Here’s why it matters:

• More than 90% of text messages are read in the first three minutes after delivery
• 89% of consumers prefer texting with a business about appointments when compared to calling or talking in person
• 79% of customers regularly opt-in to business text messages, whether for marketing or other important reminders