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Originally published on May 3rd, 2022. Last updated on December 13, 2024.
Becoming a plumber can be the first step towards creating a profitable company and rewarding career. But when it comes to choosing your specialty, there are many options to choose from.
Will you focus on commercial jobs, or do you prefer to serve local families? Do you want to pursue extra certification for municipal work, or are you more comfortable providing first-class maintenance? Although the fundamental skills overlap, the direction you go will determine the types of jobs you complete and your earning potential.
In this article, we’ll highlight the six common types of plumbers and the services they offer to help you choose the route that best matches your goals.
How much do plumbers make?
As far as trade work goes, the plumbing industry has plenty of opportunities for high earning potential. On average, plumbers earn $61,550 per year or an hourly rate of $22.64.
Depending on the company you work for, plumbers may also enjoy other benefits such as:
- Paid vacation (PTO)
- Flexible work schedules
- Opportunity for overtime pay
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
- Parental leave
- Disability insurance
- 401(k) or comparable retirement plans
Depending on which benefits are most important to you, you can choose a plumbing specialty that aligns with your entrepreneurial, career, or personal goals.
Let’s take a closer look at the top plumbing categories.
1. Residential plumber
A residential plumber specializes in residential plumbing systems and helps ensure clients’ homes have running water and working toilets. According to the most recent data from ZipRecruiter, the national salary average for residential plumbers is currently $70,920 USD.
Many homeowners also rely on residential plumbers during kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects. Plumbers can provide important repair work or maintenance as needed to complete these projects.
A residential plumber can offer the following services:
- Installing plumbing systems and different piping (like PVC pipe, copper pipe, iron pipe, or PEX pipe) in home additions or renovations
- Installing, repairing, and servicing a plumbing system or plumbing fixture in a single- or multi-family home
- Installing water and gas pipes
- Diagnosing and fixing a plumbing problem (like a burst water pipe, clogged drain, or low water pressure) in a residential setting
If you’re interested in becoming a residential plumber, start your journey with an apprenticeship through a residential plumbing company.
READ MORE: How to price a plumbing job: a simple formula for quoting
2. Commercial plumber
A commercial plumber works in large commercial settings like office buildings, schools A commercial plumber works in large commercial settings like office buildings, schools/colleges, and hospitals. They have experience working with a large number of pipes and outlets and understand the complexities involved in larger plumbing systems.
Because commercial plumbers can secure higher-paying contracts per client, their earning potential can be slightly higher. Glassdoor reveals that the national average is anywhere from USD $76,000-124,000 annually.
A commercial plumber’s list of plumbing services can include:
- Installing pipes and water tanks in large commercial settings
- Installing and securing waste removal and water systems by digging trenches and putting in piping to connect the building to a local sewage system and water reserve
- Providing regular maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs to plumbing systems on commercial or large-scale properties
If you’re interested in becoming a commercial plumber, find an apprenticeship with a company that offers commercial plumbing services. This hands-on commercial experience will help you grow your knowledge and gain relevant experience serving this unique set of clients.
READ MORE: The best plumbing tools for professional plumbers
Residential vs. commercial plumbing: what’s the difference?
The overall tasks and job responsibilities aren’t the only things that differ between residential and commercial plumbing.
Here are a few things you should know if you’re deciding which specialty you’d rather work in:
- Building codes: Depending on the type of building (e.g., hospital, school, factory) commercial plumbers will need to know and follow many different building codes to perform their job. Residential plumbers, on the other hand, will only need to know one building code.
- Permit requirements: Commercial plumbers often require a permit to install, maintain, repair, or modify a building’s water infrastructure. The type of plumbing permit required will depend on the job. Although not as common, residential plumbers may also need a permit to complete major plumbing work in a home. Check your local state or county regulations to make sure you have the right permit before you begin.
- Plumbing equipment: Commercial settings require larger plumbing equipment to move water throughout the building. This means commercial plumbers can expect to work on bigger boilers, site sewer lines, and lift stations that require an understanding of extremely complex plumbing systems.
- Time on the job: Because commercial plumbing systems are larger and more complex, repairs are typically much bigger and can take a lot longer than residential plumbing jobs. For example, finding a leak in a two-story home will be a much easier task than finding a leak in a 20-story building.
- Customer service: Residential plumbers work in a client’s home and need to provide a higher level of customer service to educate the homeowner about the problem at hand and the solution they’ve provided. Commercial plumbers, on the other hand, work in a larger setting and often have little to no communication with the building owner on-site.
3. Service and repair plumber
Service and repair plumbers are called specifically to troubleshoot and repair plumbing systems in both residential and commercial settings. They have strong problem-solving skills and know how to fix a variety of plumbing issues on the spot. Similar to residential plumbers, service plumbers often earn around $35 per hour.
Service and repair plumbers perform professional plumbing services like:
- Fixing issues with water pressure
- Cleaning and servicing plumbing systems
- Repairing leaks and unclogging drains
- Responding to plumbing emergencies
Service and repair plumbers usually work on-call shifts and respond to plumbing emergencies beyond the standard nine-to-five schedule. They must be prepared to work with homeowners and business owners to quickly investigate plumbing issues and provide fast emergency repairs.
READ MORE: The 10 best plumbing blogs and resources
4. Water supply plumber
Water supply plumbers are responsible for the flow of water into a home, business, Water supply plumbers are responsible for the flow of water into a home, business, school, hospital, or other building that is regularly in use. They install and repair various water tanks and supply lines, like kitchen sinks, overhead storage tanks, bathroom tanks, and pipes.
The types of plumbing services a water supply plumber offers include:
- Installing water supply lines and sanitation systems in kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms
- Performing water supply services like unclogging drains and toilet repairs
Water supply plumbers are often residential or commercial plumbers who specialize in various water supply systems. As a result, their typical salary usually falls in line with the national average. On the popular r/Plumbing Reddit board, plumbers share a typical earning potential of USD $40-80,000 yearly.
READ MORE: How to bid plumbing jobs and win more work
5. Sanitary plumber
Sanitary plumbers specialize in troubleshooting and repairing issues related to sanitary pipes, tanks, and plumbing systems in residential or commercial bathrooms. This type of plumbing is also focused on safe and sanitary waste removal.
Some sanitary plumbing services include:
- Installing, unclogging, and cleaning bathroom and toilet pipes
- Fitting new water heater systems and boilers in showers and toilets
- Installing, maintaining, or removing bathtubs
- Ensuring that wastewater flows safely and securely to the proper system
A sanitary plumber may be able to earn or charge based on the types of specialty services they offer. Zip Recruiter classifies some work in this field as “sewer and drain” plumbing, with an average national pay of $27/hour.
READ MORE: 57 plumbing interview questions to find top plumbers
6. Construction plumbers
Construction plumbers help plan and install plumbing systems for new residential or commercial buildings or remodels—a very important role when it comes to safe building operations. These plumbers are essential contractors who ensure that a home or commercial building has running water.
A construction plumber’s list of plumbing services includes:
- Fitting, laying, and installing new pipe systems and drainage pipes, and connecting them to local water reserves
- Connecting and testing shut-off valves and new water heaters
- Installing all plumbing fixtures such as sinks, faucets, shower heads, washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets
The national average pay for construction plumbers is $71,605 USD annually, with higher and lower amounts based on where these plumbers live and work.
READ MORE: 18 of the best plumber apps to make your life easier
How to make more money as a plumber
A plumber’s salary often depends on three main factors—professional experience, work location, and plumbing certification.
Want to make sure the odds of earning high are in your favor? Focus on the following ways to grow your business while expanding your skillset:
1. Get more professional experience
The amount of plumbing experience you have will influence how much you are paid as a plumber. Apprentices or plumbers who have fewer years under their belt may earn less, whereas veteran plumbers with higher certifications can charge a premium for their expertise, on-the-job knowledge, and reputation with customers.
If you’re just getting started, keep going. Each year brings new chances to grow professionally, expand your customer base, and earn more profit.
2. Choose a different work location
Where you work will also play a role in how much you make as a plumber.
For example, plumbers working in California earn USD $75,300 on average (per year), whereas plumbers earn USD $59,209 in Pennsylvania and USD $54,048 in Florida.
3. Work towards your master plumber’s license
The plumbing license you hold will also have a direct impact on how much you earn.
For example, a plumber apprentice earns an average of USD $47,589 annually, while a journeyman plumber earns an average of USD $65,866 annually.
A master plumber is a fully licensed plumber, and the highest certification you can earn. Plumbers with this title earn USD $66,479 a year on average.
Once you’ve achieved your master plumber certification, you’re considered an expert in the trade and ready to start your own plumbing business.
Take the next steps on your plumbing journey
Whether you’re just starting out, or making the switch from one specialty to another, learning about the different types of plumbing careers is an important step for earning more money and serving more great clients.
With this information, you’ll be better equipped to decide what you want your plumbing future to look like, and what skills and experience you need to achieve those goals.
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