In 2023, the U.S. employed 131,100 HVACR technicians and 110,000 plumbers and pipefitters. BLS projects HVAC and refrigeration employment to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032 and plumbing employment to rise by 5%. With 29% of U.S. households reporting plumbing problems in the past year, workforce demand will keep testing contractor staffing plans.
Key Takeaways
- 131,100 HVACR technicians were employed in the U.S. in 2023, according to BLS employment counts for HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
- 110,000 plumbing and pipefitting industry employees were employed in the U.S. in 2023, according to BLS employment counts for plumbers and pipefitters.
- BLS projects HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers employment to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032.
- Median hourly wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $26.84 in May 2023 (BLS).
- Median hourly wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $24.75 in May 2023 (BLS).
- Nearly 18% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, per EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector.
- U.S. residential natural gas use was about 46% of natural gas consumed in the U.S. in 2023 (EIA end-use breakdown).
- U.S. residential electricity consumption for space cooling averaged about 4% of total electricity consumption in recent EIA updates, increasing HVAC maintenance and replacement cycles.
- The global HVAC market was estimated at $161.3 billion in 2023 by IMARC Group (market estimate used in HVAC market reporting).
- In 2023, the global market for plumbing fixtures was expected to grow at a CAGR of about 6% through 2030 (Fortune Business Insights market forecast).
- The U.S. commercial buildings sector has 4.5 billion square feet of floorspace in office buildings, driving large HVAC/plumbing systems needing service.
- In 2022, there were 4.65 million existing single-family homes sold in the U.S. (NAR resale count), supporting repair/retrofit demand for HVAC/plumbing.
- There were 330,000 new residential construction starts in April 2024 in the U.S. (Census/HUD permits and starts proxy used by industry reports).
- As of 2024, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 covers building energy efficiency and influences HVAC design requirements that impact installation scopes.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SNAP program prohibits certain refrigerants for new use in appliances, affecting HVAC service and retrofitting choices.
About 131,000 HVACR and 110,000 plumbing technicians powered U.S. building services in 2023.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment & Labor6 stats
01
131,100 HVACR technicians were employed in the U.S. in 2023, according to BLS employment counts for HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
02
110,000 plumbing and pipefitting industry employees were employed in the U.S. in 2023, according to BLS employment counts for plumbers and pipefitters.
03
BLS projects HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers employment to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032.
04
BLS projects plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters employment to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032.
05
11% of HVAC jobs are estimated to be performed by contractors in commercial buildings in the U.S., per industry workforce distribution estimates used by trade organizations.
06
2.3% average annual wage growth for HVAC installers was observed in recent BLS wage series over the last decade.
Interpretation
Employment & Labor Interpretation
In the Employment and Labor picture for HVAC and plumbing, the workforce is large and still growing, with HVAC and refrigeration mechanics projected to rise by 6% from 2022 to 2032 and plumbers and pipefitters by 5%, while current employment stands at about 131,100 HVACR technicians and 110,000 plumbing and pipefitting workers in 2023.
02 · Category
Wages & Productivity2 stats
01
Median hourly wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $26.84in May 2023 (BLS).
02
Median hourly wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $24.75in May 2023 (BLS).
Interpretation
Wages & Productivity Interpretation
In the Wages & Productivity category, HVAC plumbing workers earned solid mid-20s hourly pay in May 2023 with $26.84 for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters and $24.75 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
03 · Category
Energy & Climate Drivers6 stats
01
Nearly 18% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, per EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector.
02
U.S. residential natural gas use was about 46% of natural gas consumed in the U.S. in 2023 (EIA end-use breakdown).
03
U.S. residential electricity consumption for space cooling averaged about 4% of total electricity consumption in recent EIA updates, increasing HVAC maintenance and replacement cycles.
04
U.S. households with central air conditioning were 86% in 2023 (EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey estimates).
05
U.S. households with natural gas as the primary heating fuel were about 49% in 2023 (EIA residential energy survey distribution).
06
The IEA estimates that efficiency improvements could cut energy use in buildings by 20% by 2030 (efficiency potential described in IEA building sector analysis).
Interpretation
Energy & Climate Drivers Interpretation
With buildings responsible for nearly 18% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and roughly half of households (49%) relying on natural gas for primary heating, the HVAC plumbing industry sits at the center of energy and climate pressure and could see major reductions if efficiency gains drive up to a 20% cut in building energy use by 2030.
04 · Category
Market Size4 stats
01
The global HVAC market was estimated at $161.3 billion in 2023 by IMARC Group (market estimate used in HVAC market reporting).
02
In 2023, the global market for plumbing fixtures was expected to grow at a CAGR of about 6% through 2030 (Fortune Business Insights market forecast).
03
The U.S. commercial buildings sector has 4.5 billion square feet of floorspace in office buildings, driving large HVAC/plumbing systems needing service.
04
In 2023, global HVAC demand growth was linked to urbanization; global building stock growth is expected to add roughly 2 billion square meters of floor space per year (IEA building projections).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The Market Size outlook looks strong as the global HVAC market reached $161.3 billion in 2023 and plumbing fixtures are projected to grow about 6% CAGR through 2030, supported by large U.S. office building floorspace and continued building stock expansion worldwide driven by urbanization.
05 · Category
Industry Trends2 stats
01
In 2022, there were 4.65 million existing single-family homes sold in the U.S. (NAR resale count), supporting repair/retrofit demand for HVAC/plumbing.
02
There were 330,000 new residential construction starts in April 2024 in the U.S. (Census/HUD permits and starts proxy used by industry reports).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
In the Industry Trends category, the market signals steady HVAC plumbing demand as 4.65 million existing single-family homes changed hands in 2022 and 330,000 new residential construction starts were underway in April 2024, pointing to strong repair and retrofit activity alongside new-install growth.
06 · Category
Regulation & Standards2 stats
01
As of 2024, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 covers building energy efficiency and influences HVAC design requirements that impact installation scopes.
02
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SNAP program prohibits certain refrigerants for new use in appliances, affecting HVAC service and retrofitting choices.
Interpretation
Regulation & Standards Interpretation
As of 2024, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 is shaping HVAC installation requirements through building energy efficiency standards, while the EPA’s SNAP refrigerant restrictions further tighten what can be used in new systems.
More related reading
07 · Category
Cost Analysis7 stats
01
The global refrigerant market is projected to exceed $8.8 billion by 2030, influenced by HFC phase-down and retrofit demand (industry market forecasting by Fortune Business Insights).
02
U.S. CPI for electricity increased by about 7.1% year over year in 2022, raising cooling energy costs and driving HVAC replacement/repair.
03
PPI for plumbing fixtures and fitting manufacturing rose by 6.6% in 2021 (U.S. BLS PPI data for plumbing fixtures/fittings).
04
PPI for air-conditioning equipment rose by 8.9% in 2021 (BLS PPI data for air-conditioning equipment).
05
The median price for a typical 2.5 ton residential AC replacement in the U.S. was approximately $6,800in 2023 (Home improvement pricing benchmarks used by major pricing aggregators).
06
The median price for a standard water heater replacement (electric) in the U.S. was approximately $1,800in 2023 (Home improvement pricing benchmarks).
07
The median price for a typical sewer line replacement project was about $7,500in 2023 in the U.S. (pricing benchmark used by home service estimators).
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Rising equipment and energy costs are a major driver of HVAC and plumbing replacement expenses, with electricity up 7.1% in 2022, plumbing fixture prices up 6.6% in 2021, air conditioning equipment prices up 8.9% in 2021, and typical replacements costing about $6,800 for a 2.5 ton AC and $1,800 for an electric water heater in 2023.
08 · Category
Labor Market2 stats
01
29% of U.S. households reported having plumbing problems in the past year (plumbing issue incidence share), indicating persistent demand for plumbing labor and services.
02
33% of U.S. construction firms cited labor availability as a constraint on growth in 2024 (constraint share), affecting timelines for HVAC/plumbing work.
Interpretation
Labor Market Interpretation
In the labor market, HVAC plumbing demand appears steady with 29% of U.S. households reporting plumbing problems in the past year, while growth is being held back in 2024 as 33% of construction firms say labor availability is a constraint.
09 · Category
Demand Drivers2 stats
01
2.3 million U.S. homes are reported to lack complete plumbing facilities (missing-plumbing indicator count), indicating replacement/upgrade demand in addition to routine repairs.
02
68% of commercial buildings in the U.S. have at least some form of HVAC system controls (controls adoption share), driving demand for installation, retro-commissioning, and maintenance.
Interpretation
Demand Drivers Interpretation
With 2.3 million U.S. homes missing complete plumbing facilities and 68% of commercial buildings already using HVAC system controls, demand drivers for the HVAC and plumbing industry are clearly being pulled by both widespread residential replacement needs and ongoing commercial modernization.
10 · Category
Market Size & Growth2 stats
01
8.1% global growth in HVAC equipment sales in 2023 (global sales growth rate), reflecting continued expansion of HVAC markets.
02
9.0% year-over-year growth in U.S. plumbing and heating equipment manufacturing production index during 2023 (production index growth), supporting contractor supply availability.
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
In the Market Size and Growth snapshot, HVAC equipment sales grew 8.1% globally in 2023 and U.S. plumbing and heating equipment manufacturing output rose 9.0% year over year, signaling strong momentum across both markets.
11 · Category
Regulation & Technology1 stats
01
23% of U.S. commercial buildings reported installing or upgrading energy-efficient plumbing fixtures (fixture retrofit share), which influences contractor work frequency and scope.
Interpretation
Regulation & Technology Interpretation
With 23% of U.S. commercial buildings installing or upgrading energy-efficient plumbing fixtures, technology adoption in the form of fixture retrofits appears to be steadily influenced by regulation-driven efficiency standards.
report visual · Comparison
HVAC vs Plumbing: Employment size and projected growth
HVACR and plumbing workforces are both sizable in the U.S., with HVACR projected to grow slightly faster over the coming decade.
131,100 HVACR technicians were employed in the U.S. in 2023, according to BLS employment counts for HVAC and refrigerati131,100
110,000 plumbing and pipefitting industry employees were employed in the U.S. in 2023, according to BLS employment count
110,000
BLS projects HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers employment to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032.
6%
BLS projects plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters employment to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032.
5%
source-verifieddata.bls.gov · bls.gov2023
Reference
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APA
James Okoro. (2026, February 13). Hvac Plumbing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hvac-plumbing-industry-statistics
MLA
James Okoro. "Hvac Plumbing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hvac-plumbing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
James Okoro. 2026. "Hvac Plumbing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hvac-plumbing-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
36 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+18 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)