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Do you want to be a plumber? It is important to know how much plumbers make? Being a plumber, you’ll be fixing leaks in the water, sewer, and gas lines in residential and commercial properties. You may also be asked to install and maintain fixtures, appliances, and systems for customers. Let’s dive into the details of how to become a plumber. 

Plumbing careers to consider 

The plumbing industry has various specialties. When planning to join this career, here are the specialties to consider. 

General plumbers

This plumbing specialty deals with installing, maintaining, and repairing water, gas, and waste systems in many places. General plumbers can specialize in residential or commercial properties. You may also install related equipment, including water heaters, dishwashers, and work on plumbing systems.

Laying pipes

Pipelayers install new or repair existing plumbing systems. Their duties include digging trenches and utilizing heavy equipment. Pipelayers also work with natural gas, oil, sewage, and water pipes.

Fitting pipes and steam

A special license is required to work as a plumber in this field. Steamfitters specialize in gasses and other liquids, whereas pipefitters are experts in high-pressure water systems. They’re more common in industrial than residential or commercial settings.

Fitting sprinklers 

Sprinkler system installation, repair, and maintenance are all responsibilities of a sprinklerfitter. The job demands knowledge of plumbing and building codes to ensure the correct installation of all fittings.

What Determines How Much A Plumber Earns?

After discovering the sort of plumber you may be, it’s time to look at your earnings potential. Here are some pointers on how much money do plumbers make.

Number of orders per month

You will earn money based on the number of orders you get each month. Most plumbers get a few orders per month, but some may receive up to 30 or more orders. It is important to estimate how many orders you may receive each month to plan your finances and schedule.

There is no clear answer to how many orders a plumber will receive each month. It depends on things like the type of plumbing work, your city or town, and the demand for your services. However, most plumbers generally receive 2-10 orders per month.

If you are just starting out, you may only get 1 or 2 orders per month. However, as you gain more experience and develop a good reputation, you are likely to get more orders.

Remember that the monthly orders can vary widely, so always plan for the worst and hope for the best. Whatever your monthly orders, always stay prepared and willing to take on new challenges!

City and area where you provide your plumber services

The city and area where you provide your plumbing services can also affect your earnings. For example, if you are in a big city with a lot of high-rise buildings, you may earn more than someone who is located in a rural area.

Your city’s population size can also be a factor. A large metropolitan area will have more potential customers than a small town. However, the competition may also be higher in large cities.

Possible orders for a plumbing business vary by location. In general, you’re likely to get a lot of emergency calls in an urban area, while in a rural area, you’re likely to get more calls for routine maintenance including septic tank pumping and drain cleaning. 

No matter where you are, it is important to know the local building and plumbing codes. This will help you to make sure that you are using the right materials and fixtures for your area. Always use licensed professionals when working on customers’ homes.

Advertising and promoting plumbing services

Your marketing and promotional efforts can have a big impact on how much money you make. When people see your ads or hear about your services, they are more likely to call you for a quote. This is why it is important for plumbers to have advertising budgets – they make more money than those who do not put in the effort to market 

Plumbers who make good money use internet advertising to market their services, such as Google AdWords or Facebook Ads. They also produce and distribute leaflets in public areas and post them in local businesses.

Another good way to advertise your plumbing business is to go door-to-door and hand out flyers. This will help customers remember your business whenever they need a plumber. You should be consistent with your advertising so that people always keep your brand in their minds.

What is the average salary of a plumber?

According to Talent.com, plumbers usually earn a salary of $54,026 per year or about $27.71 per hour. The starting pay for entry-level plumbers is $42,766 annually, and top earners get up to $90,000 every year.

How much does a plumber make an hour?

By January 27, 2022, plumbers were earning $29 as the average rate per hour in the US. However, this varies by experience and location. There’s also a possibility of making from $25 to $33 per hour.

There’s no clear answer to how much does a plumber makes per hour. Since the rate varies considerably on various criteria, such as certifications, education, different talents, and experience. Salary.com can help you determine how much you’re likely to earn using online-based, real-time compensation data.

How much do plumbers make yearly?

The average salary for a plumber in the US is about $32,200 per year. This ranges from $17,400 to $48,700. The average annual income covers housing and transportation costs. Plumber salaries can vary according to training, season, experience, location, and gender.

Here’s a breakdown of how much money do plumbers make

A journeyman plumber earns about $20,200 every year. In contrast, a person with two to five years of plumbing experience makes about $25,500 every year. This is 26% more than the salary of someone without any plumbing experience.

A person with five to ten years of experience makes about $33,700 per year. That’s more than the salary of someone having two to five years of plumbing experience. People with plumbing experience spanning 10 to15 years earn about $39,600 per year. This is 18% more than the salary of people with plumbing experience of 5 to10 years.

A person having 15 to 20 years of plumbing experience is expected to be earning about $43,800 per year. This is about $11,000, the salary of people with 10 to 15 years of experience. People having more than twenty years are expected to earn about $46,600 per year. This is 6% of the salary of those with 15 to 20 years of plumbing experience.

Do plumbers make good money? 

Well, this really depends on various factors, including the region you live in and your level of experience. In general, plumbers earn good money. However, some areas may offer higher or lower wages than others. If you offer specialized plumbing services or your area is prone to plumbing emergencies, you’re likely to make good money. 

How to become a plumber?

Now that you know how much plumbers make, It’s time to understand what it takes to become a professional plumber and earn big.

Get your high school diploma or GED

Math is essential in the plumbing trade. To work as a plumber, you must first have a good understanding of algebra, geometry, thermodynamics, and metric measures.

Consider acquiring a high school diploma or completing an intensive training course before enrolling in a plumbing apprenticeship program. Community colleges and trade schools are the most common locations to study these programs. Apart from enhancing your knowledge, it also distinguishes you from other people when seeking apprenticeship opportunities.

The decision to enroll in a plumbing program demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and productivity in your new career.

Undertake vocational training in plumbing

Enroll in a technical school or community college to learn more about plumbing. There are several technical institutions and neighborhood colleges offering hands-on plumbing training. These programs let you choose your path to success. When it comes to specializing, there is a  wide range of choices. You’ll be ready to begin working as a qualified plumber after completing your education.

Vocational training programs are a fantastic method to begin your vocation. Fortunately, most courses last about two years or less. This means you can start working sooner. Many programs also provide job placement assistance as part of the deal. This can assist you in getting started in your plumbing career.

Complete plumbing apprenticeship

Becoming a plumbing apprenticeship is the best way to become a journeyman in the trade. An apprenticeship provides on-the-job skills you will need in this field. Being an apprentice requires working alongside a skilled plumber for about four to five years. During this time, you’ll be learning how to install, maintain, and repair plumbing systems.

Apprenticeship programs are usually available through unions or trade organizations. You should explore all the available opportunities to make an informed decision.

Become a journeyman plumber

Journeyman plumbers complete an apprenticeship and must pass an exam. After working alongside a master plumber as an apprenticeship, you have to pass an exam to become a journeyman. Fortunately, you can work independently as a journeyman plumber.

You’re now qualified to work on people’s houses and businesses. With the experience and training, now you’re ready to handle sewage disposal systems, gas lines, and fixtures or appliances installation and maintenance.

Keep in mind that you have to renew your journeyman plumbing license every three to five years. However, license renewal might be annually in some states. Being a journeyman plumber will allow honing your basic plumbing skills and knowledge of the local plumbing codes.

Competent journeyman plumbers have exceptional skills in customer service, personnel management, and problem fixing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median yearly salary for plumbers at this level is $55,160, or $26.52 per hour.

Become a Master Plumber

After working as a journeyman plumber for several hours, you qualify to become a master plumber. However, you have to first take a licensing exam. 

Becoming a master plumber requires meeting the licensing board’s standards. This might involve taking extra classes or doing plumbing training. You will also have to take a written and practical test to test your readiness to become a master plumber. The process comes with related costs.

With a master plumber’s certificate, customers can trust you to handle more complicated plumbing services, manage staff, and direct apprentice training. The license is proof that you have the necessary expertise in a particular plumbing sector.

On average, the top 10 percent of master plumbers make more than $97,170 per year.

Get a license.

To become a plumber in the United States, you will need to get a plumbing license from the state government. This license is required to practice the trade legally. Licensure is designed to protect the public. By requiring plumbers to meet certain qualifications, the licensing process ensures that all plumbers working in the state are competent to do the job.

To get a plumbing license, you must meet specific requirements, such as having a certain amount of training or experience and passing an exam. This process seems like a lot of work, but it is worth it if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

The first step to obtaining your plumbing license is completing the entry requirements. Most states require that you be at least 18 years old and have completed a minimum of two years of apprenticeship or trade school education to be eligible for a license. You must also pass a criminal background check and possess a valid driver’s license.

After your application has been accepted, you must pass a licensing exam. You’ll be tested on plumbing codes and procedures as part of the assessment. It is critical to prepare well for the test. If you fulfill all of the criteria and pass the licensing exam, you will be permitted to work as a plumber in the United States. 

Get Field Complete software

Managing a plumbing company is a lot of work. You need to deal with your employees, make appointments, and keep track of everything else involved in running your business.

Field Complete is a free field service management software that helps you run your entire business from start to finish. With Field Complete, you can create jobs, send estimates and invoices, track time and expenses, generate reports for taxes or accounting purposes…and much more! All of this with no contracts or commitments required. And it’s all available on any device so you can access it anywhere at any time.

Even if you are just starting out as a plumber, the platform is free for you to use. You don’t need to have a credit card or pay anything. Create a free account today and get started!