The plumbing industry faces a stark reality: while 92% of plumbers are male and the median age is climbing toward 50, a transformative wave of change—from a 12% surge in female hires to urgent DEI initiatives in 62% of firms—is crashing over human resources departments tasked with filling 45,000 vacancies a year.
Key Takeaways
- 92% of plumbers in the US are male
- Average age of plumbers is 43.5 years
- 15% of plumbing workforce is under 25 years old
- Plumbing job openings grew 12% in 2023
- 45,000 plumber vacancies unfilled annually
- Hiring rate for apprentices up 15% YoY
- Apprenticeship programs enrolled 25,000 in 2023
- 85% of plumbers require on-the-job training
- Average training hours for new plumbers: 1,440
- Median hourly wage for plumbers: $28.50
- Average annual salary: $65,000
- Overtime pay averages 1.5x rate
- Voluntary turnover rate in plumbing: 28%
- Average tenure: 7.2 years
- 55% of firms report retention challenges
The plumbing industry is actively hiring and training to diversify its aging workforce.
Compensation
1Median hourly wage for plumbers: $28.50
Verified2Average annual salary: $65,000
Verified3Overtime pay averages 1.5x rate
Verified4Health insurance coverage: 82%
Directional5401(k) participation: 68%
Single source6Bonus pay in 45% of firms, average $3,200
Verified7Union plumbers earn 20% more
Verified8Entry-level wage: $18.75/hour
Verified9Master plumber salary: $95,000 avg
Directional10Paid vacation: 2.8 weeks average
Single source11Tool allowance: $1,200/year in 55% firms
Verified12Life insurance offered: 76%
Verified13Commission structures in 12% residential firms
Verified14Dental coverage: 79%
Directional15Profit sharing: 23% participation
Single source16Vehicle allowance: 64%
Verified17Paid sick leave: 71%
Verified18Tuition reimbursement: 38%
Verified19Shift differentials: 1.25x for nights
Directional20Equity compensation: 5% in large firms
Single source21Wellness benefits: 49%
Verified22Long-term disability: 67%
Verified23Performance bonuses avg $2,800
Verified24457 plans in public sector plumbing: 55%
Directional25Uniform stipends: $450/year
Single source26Childcare benefits: 14%
Verified27Average raise YoY: 4.1%
Verified28Top 10% plumbers earn $45+/hour
Verified29Bottom 10% earn $16.50/hour
Directional30Total comp package avg $82,000
Single sourceCompensation Interpretation
The next time your drain clogs, consider that behind the plunger is a professional who likely has a solid 401(k), a company truck, and a profound appreciation for paid vacation.
Demographics
192% of plumbers in the US are male
Verified2Average age of plumbers is 43.5 years
Verified315% of plumbing workforce is under 25 years old
Verified4Hispanic workers make up 28% of plumbers
Directional54.2% of plumbers have a bachelor's degree or higher
Single source6Female plumbers increased by 12% from 2018-2023
Verified7Veterans represent 8% of the plumbing workforce
Verified865% of plumbers are non-union
Verified9Black or African American plumbers: 6.1%
Directional10Asian plumbers: 2.3% of total workforce
Single source1172% of plumbers have high school diploma as highest education
Verified12Median age in residential plumbing: 46 years
Verified1322% of plumbing apprentices are women in 2023
Verified14Native American plumbers: 1.2%
Directional1555% of plumbers aged 45-54
Single source16Immigrants comprise 19% of plumbing labor
Verified17LGBTQ+ representation in plumbing: 3.5%
Verified18Disability rate among plumbers: 7.8%
Verified19Urban plumbers average age 41, rural 48
Directional2011% of plumbers over 60 years old
Single source21Multiracial plumbers: 4.7%
Verified2268% White non-Hispanic plumbers
Verified23Gen Z in plumbing: 8%
Verified24Baby Boomers retiring at 25% rate annually
Directional25Pacific Islander plumbers: 0.9%
Single source2631% of plumbers have 10+ years experience
Verified27Entry-level plumbers under 30: 18%
Verified28Mid-career plumbers (35-44): 29%
Verified29Senior plumbers (55+): 37%
Directional30Overall workforce diversity score: 4.2/10
Single sourceDemographics Interpretation
The plumbing industry is a seasoned, male-dominated field where experience flows through every pipe, yet a slow drip of diversity and youth suggests the future may hold a more inclusive—and perhaps less predictable—flushing mechanism.
Hiring Trends
1Plumbing job openings grew 12% in 2023
Verified245,000 plumber vacancies unfilled annually
Verified3Hiring rate for apprentices up 15% YoY
Verified468% of plumbing firms report hiring difficulties
Directional5Time to hire plumber: 42 days average
Single source622% increase in remote HR screening for plumbers
Verified7Entry-level hiring surged 28% post-COVID
Verified875% of firms use social media for plumber recruitment
Verified9Union hiring contracts up 10%
Directional10Cost per hire for plumber: $4,500
Single source1135% of hires via referrals in plumbing
Verified12Female hiring doubled in last 5 years
Verified13Veteran hiring programs cover 12% of new hires
Verified14Online job apps for plumbing up 40%
Directional15Seasonal hiring peak: 55% in Q2
Single source16Gig economy plumbers: 9% of hires
Verified17DEI hiring initiatives in 62% of firms
Verified18Average applicants per plumber job: 18
Verified19Relocation offers in 24% of plumbing hires
Directional20AI screening used by 15% of plumbing HR
Single source21Offer acceptance rate: 78%
Verified22Intern-to-hire conversion: 65%
Verified23Overtime hiring clauses in 41% contracts
Verified24Multi-state hiring up 19%
Directional25Campus recruiting for trades: 11% participation
Single source26Background check failure rate: 8%
Verified2782% of firms plan to hire more in 2024
Verified2856% apprenticeship completion leads to hire
Verified2973% of plumbing managers satisfied with 2023 hires
Directional3042,000 projected plumber hires needed by 2025
Single source3165% of firms offer signing bonuses
VerifiedHiring Trends Interpretation
The plumbing industry is facing a pressure-cooked hiring crisis—evidenced by 45,000 annual vacancies and a 42-day time-to-hire—yet it’s creatively adapting with surging apprenticeships, social media recruiting, and a doubled rate of female hires, all while 82% of firms still plan to turn up the tap on recruitment in 2024.
Retention
1Voluntary turnover rate in plumbing: 28%
Verified2Average tenure: 7.2 years
Verified355% of firms report retention challenges
Verified4Exit interview top reason: better pay (42%)
Directional5Retention bonus usage: 37%
Single source6Employee engagement score: 71/100
Verified7Mentorship programs retain 82% apprentices
Verified8Flexible scheduling improves retention by 25%
Verified9Burnout rate: 34%
Directional10Promotion from within: 68%
Single source11Annual retention rate: 78%
Verified12Female retention gap: 15% lower
Verified13Post-training retention: 89%
Verified14Career path clarity retains 76%
Directional15Work-life balance satisfaction: 62%
Single source16Union retention 12% higher
Verified17Feedback surveys conducted quarterly by 51%
Verified18Separation rate: 32.5/100 employees
Verified19Loyalty programs in 29% firms
Directional20Remote work options retain 19% more
Single source21DEI initiatives boost retention 22%
Verified22Exit rate under 2 years: 22%
Verified23Satisfaction with recognition: 65%
Verified24Predictive retention analytics used by 17%
Directional25Team-building events annual: 84% participation
Single source26Long-service awards in 72%
Verified27Stress management programs: 41%
Verified28Net promoter score for employees: 48
Verified29Retention after promotion: 92%
Directional30Industry switch rate: 11%
Single source315-year retention: 54%
Verified32HR tech for retention: 26% adoption
VerifiedRetention Interpretation
It seems the plumbing industry is frantically trying to plug a 28% leak of its people, with pay being the main drip they can't quite catch, yet the tools that actually work—like mentorship and clear career paths—are sitting right there in the toolbox, sadly underused.
Training
1Apprenticeship programs enrolled 25,000 in 2023
Verified285% of plumbers require on-the-job training
Verified3Average training hours for new plumbers: 1,440
Verified4Certification rate: 62% of workforce
Directional5Upskilling programs in 70% of firms
Single source6VR training adoption: 18%
Verified74-year apprenticeship completion: 67%
Verified8Safety training compliance: 94%
Verified9Green plumbing training demand up 30%
Directional10Online courses completed: 45,000 annually
Single source11Mentor-apprentice ratio: 1:2
Verified12Leadership training for supervisors: 52% participation
Verified13Tech skills training (IoT): 22% coverage
Verified14Diversity training mandatory in 48% firms
Directional15Cost of training per plumber: $12,000
Single source16Recertification every 2 years for 75%
Verified17Soft skills training gap: 35%
Verified18Welding training for pipefitters: 88% required
Verified19Bilingual training programs: 14%
Directional20Post-hire training ROI: 250%
Single source21Mobile training apps used by 29%
Verified22OSHA 10-hour training: 91% compliance
Verified23Advanced HVAC crossover training: 41%
Verified24Women-only training cohorts: 7%
Directional25Simulation-based training effectiveness: 82%
Single source26Annual training hours per employee: 40
Verified2755% firms partner with community colleges
Verified28Dropout rate in apprenticeships: 33%
VerifiedTraining Interpretation
The plumbing industry's training data reveals a robust but leaky pipeline: while we're impressively pouring resources and tech into apprenticeships with solid safety and certification foundations, we're still struggling to patch significant gaps in retention, diversity, and soft skills before we spring a leadership crisis.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 2PHCCWEBphccweb.orgVisit source
- Reference 3NAHBnahb.orgVisit source
- Reference 4DATAUSAdatausa.ioVisit source
- Reference 5WORKINGNATIONworkingnation.comVisit source
- Reference 6HIRINGOURHEROEShiringourheroes.orgVisit source
- Reference 7CONSTRUCTIONDIVEconstructiondive.comVisit source
- Reference 8ZIPPIAzippia.comVisit source
- Reference 9OOHooh.bls.govVisit source
- Reference 10PHCCPROSphccpros.orgVisit source
- Reference 11WOMENINAPPRENTICESHIPwomeninapprenticeship.orgVisit source
- Reference 12AGCagc.orgVisit source
- Reference 13MIGRATIONPOLICYmigrationpolicy.orgVisit source
- Reference 14SHRMshrm.orgVisit source
- Reference 15RURALHEALTHINFOruralhealthinfo.orgVisit source
- Reference 16AARPaarp.orgVisit source
- Reference 17GENERATIONgeneration.orgVisit source
- Reference 18CONTRACTINGBUSINESScontractingbusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 19APPRENTICESHIPapprenticeship.govVisit source
- Reference 20NCCERnccer.orgVisit source
- Reference 21DIVERSITYINDEXdiversityindex.orgVisit source
- Reference 22DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 23INDEEDindeed.comVisit source
- Reference 24WORKFORCEHUBworkforcehub.comVisit source
- Reference 25UAua.orgVisit source
- Reference 26ZIPRECRUITERziprecruiter.comVisit source
- Reference 27WOMENINPLUMBINGwomeninplumbing.orgVisit source
- Reference 28SEASONALJOBSseasonaljobs.comVisit source
- Reference 29MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 30GLASSDOORglassdoor.comVisit source
- Reference 31ROBERTHALFroberthalf.comVisit source
- Reference 32DELOITTEdeloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 33LINKEDINlinkedin.comVisit source
- Reference 34MANPOWERGROUPmanpowergroup.comVisit source
- Reference 35ACTEONLINEacteonline.orgVisit source
- Reference 36GOODHIREgoodhire.comVisit source
- Reference 37HRhr.comVisit source
- Reference 38REPORTSreports.apprenticeship.govVisit source
- Reference 39OSHAosha.govVisit source
- Reference 40EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 41SKILLSOFTskillsoft.comVisit source
- Reference 42AWSaws.orgVisit source
- Reference 43ASHRAEashrae.orgVisit source
- Reference 44NISTnist.govVisit source
- Reference 45AACCaacc.nche.eduVisit source
- Reference 46SALARYsalary.comVisit source
- Reference 47KFFkff.orgVisit source
- Reference 48VANGUARDvanguard.comVisit source
- Reference 49PAYSCALEpayscale.comVisit source
- Reference 50NCEOnceo.orgVisit source
- Reference 51FLEETOWNERfleetowner.comVisit source
- Reference 52WELLABLEwellable.coVisit source
- Reference 53WORLDATWORKworldatwork.orgVisit source
- Reference 54NASRAnasra.orgVisit source
- Reference 55UNIFORMMARKETuniformmarket.comVisit source
- Reference 56GALLUPgallup.comVisit source
- Reference 57WORKFORCEworkforce.comVisit source
- Reference 58RANDSTADrandstad.comVisit source
- Reference 59QUALTRICSqualtrics.comVisit source
- Reference 60FLEXJOBSflexjobs.comVisit source
- Reference 61ACHIEVERSachievers.comVisit source
- Reference 62IBMibm.comVisit source
- Reference 63TEAMBONDINGteambonding.comVisit source
- Reference 64APAapa.orgVisit source
- Reference 65DELIGHTEDdelighted.comVisit source
- Reference 66CAREERBUILDERcareerbuilder.comVisit source