Skilled Trades
Plumber
Install and repair plumbing systems for homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Master plumbers regularly earn six figures.
no-degree-requiredhigh-demandpaid-traininghands-on
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$48k
$72k
$118k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+6%
+6% (Faster than avg)
Open positions
51,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Apprenticeship In Person
Journeyman Plumber License
Time
4–5 years (paid)
Cost
Paid / Free
Paid apprenticeship — $40–55k while learning.
Trade School In Person
Plumbing Certificate
Time
9–18 months
Cost
$4,000 – $18,000
Speeds up apprenticeship hours.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown
What are the odds
you actually get there?
Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.
85
Composite
Attainability Score
Data-backed
- Educational difficultyHow hard the required schooling is to complete9020%
- Licensing & examsPass rates and difficulty of required exams7515%
- Entry-job competitionHow many applicants per open entry-level role8820%
- Career stay-rateInverse of early-career attrition / industry exit7815%
- Market demandOpenings vs available workforce9015%
- Alternative pathsHow many viable ways exist to enter the field8515%
Recommended schools
Schools known for this path
Verified high-ROI programs aligned with Plumber. Direct, transparent links to each school's official program page. See the full ROI shortlist →
ASU Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$580 / credit
Tuition only; mandatory program fees vary.
Programs for Plumber
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $580/cr = $69.6K
Total cost
$69,600
Starting pay
$38,000
Carpenter (Construction)
Break-even
7.3 yrs
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$493,900
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
4–5 years (paid)
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$48,000
Mid-career
$72,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · UA