Job Market for Plumbers in the United States
Current Overview
- Estimated Plumbers: Approximately 482,700
- Projected Growth: 2.3% growth expected between 2022 and 2032.
- Employment Opportunities: CareerExplorer rates plumbers with a C employability rating, indicating moderate employment opportunities. The U.S. is expected to need 16,300 plumbers in the next 10 years, accounting for both new positions and retirements.
Demand for Plumbers
- Shortage of Qualified Plumbers: A significant shortage is anticipated, particularly due to growth in construction and building renovations, notably in bathroom remodeling.
- Welding Skills: Job seekers with welding experience may have additional opportunities.
- Repair and Maintenance: Ongoing needs in both residential and commercial sectors for maintenance and repair of existing plumbing systems.
- New Construction: Development of new septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants will contribute to job creation.
- Regulatory Impact: Stricter water efficiency standards and regulations on sprinkler systems are expected to drive demand.
- Job Sources: Most jobs will likely be with plumbing and pipefitting contractors, with many openings arising from the retirement of existing tradespeople.
Supply of Plumbers by State
The plumber workforce is concentrated in specific states, as shown in the table below:
| State | Employed Plumbers |
|---|---|
| California | 47,600 |
| Texas | 42,050 |
| New York | 27,410 |
| Florida | 24,200 |
| Illinois | 16,470 |
| Pennsylvania | 14,960 |
| Ohio | 13,720 |
| Virginia | 12,730 |
| Massachusetts | 12,380 |
| Michigan | 12,250 |
| Indiana | 11,540 |
| Georgia | 11,310 |
| Louisiana | 10,850 |
| North Carolina | 10,820 |
| Washington | 10,200 |
| Maryland | 9,870 |
| Colorado | 9,260 |
| New Jersey | 9,070 |
| Minnesota | 8,660 |
| Wisconsin | 7,300 |
| Arizona | 7,300 |
| Oklahoma | 6,600 |
| Tennessee | 6,380 |
| Kentucky | 6,230 |
| Missouri | 6,140 |
| Utah | 5,430 |
| Alabama | 5,400 |
| Oregon | 5,340 |
| Nevada | 5,050 |
| Connecticut | 4,840 |
| Iowa | 4,530 |
| South Carolina | 4,430 |
| Kansas | 4,290 |
| Nebraska | 3,900 |
| Mississippi | 3,570 |
| Arkansas | 2,680 |
| New Mexico | 2,540 |
| Maine | 2,180 |
| Hawaii | 2,050 |
| Idaho | 2,040 |
| Montana | 1,890 |
| North Dakota | 1,760 |
| New Hampshire | 1,580 |
| West Virginia | 1,560 |
| South Dakota | 1,410 |
| Rhode Island | 1,280 |
| Alaska | 1,260 |
| Delaware | 1,170 |
| Wyoming | 1,030 |
| District of Columbia | 1,020 |
| Vermont | 720 |
| Puerto Rico | 540 |
| Guam | 210 |
Conclusion
The plumber job market in the U.S. is characterized by moderate growth and demand, driven by a combination of new construction, renovations, and the need for repairs and maintenance. Opportunities for employment are expected to rise due to a shortage of qualified plumbers and the retirement of existing workers, making this a promising career path for aspiring plumbers.
Information provided by CareerOnlines, LLC and other sources.
Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
CareerOnlines, LLC has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.