2026 Trade Comparison
Plumber vs Electrician Salary:
Plumbers Edge Out by $1,380/yr
Updated 17 April 2026
At the national median, plumbers earn $62,970 versus electricians at $61,590. But the real difference is in specialisation, location, and whether you go independent.
Plumber Median
$62,970/yr
Electrician Median
$61,590/yr
Plumber Top 10%
$100,720/yr
Electrician Top 10%
$104,140/yr
BLS Data: Head-to-Head Comparison
All figures from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
| Metric | Plumber (47-2152) | Electrician (47-2111) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage | $62,970 | $61,590 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $30.28/hr | $29.61/hr |
| 10th Percentile (Entry) | $38,350 | $37,880 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,990 | $46,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,500 | $79,840 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $100,720 | $104,140 |
| Employment (US) | 480,100 | 762,600 |
| Projected Growth (2023-2033) | +6% | +11% |
| Annual Job Openings | 51,600 | 79,900 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024. Plumber code 47-2152 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Electrician code 47-2111.
Entry-Level Pay: First Year Apprentice
Electrician apprentices earn slightly more than plumbing apprentices in the first year, primarily because electrical apprenticeships tend to be more classroom-heavy upfront, and union IBEW entry wages in major cities are competitive.
Plumbing Apprentice Year 1
- Hourly rate: $17.50 to $22.00/hr
- Annual: $36,400 to $45,700
- Union (JATC): $18.50 to $24.00/hr
- Training: 8,000 to 10,000 hours OJT + 200 hrs/yr classroom
- Path to journeyman: 4 to 5 years
Electrician Apprentice Year 1
- Hourly rate: $18.50 to $24.00/hr
- Annual: $38,480 to $49,900
- Union (JATC/IBEW): $20.00 to $28.00/hr
- Training: 8,000 to 10,000 hours OJT + 200 hrs/yr classroom
- Path to journeyman: 4 to 5 years
Career Progression: Parallel Timelines
| Stage | Plumber Pay Range | Electrician Pay Range | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Apprentice | $36k - $46k | $38k - $50k | Year 1 |
| Year 3 Apprentice | $42k - $54k | $44k - $57k | Year 3 |
| Journeyman (licensed) | $52k - $75k | $50k - $74k | Year 5 |
| Experienced Journeyman | $62k - $85k | $60k - $84k | Year 8 |
| Master / Master Electrician | $72k - $105k | $74k - $110k | Year 10+ |
| Self-Employed Owner | $80k - $250k+ | $80k - $250k+ | Year 10+ |
Plumber vs Electrician Salary by State
The gap between trades varies significantly by state. New York and California favour electricians strongly; Illinois and New Jersey lean toward plumbers.
| State | Plumber Median | Electrician Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $84,600 | $80,230 | +4,370 |
| New York | $78,200 | $89,150 | -10,950 |
| California | $72,400 | $87,680 | -15,280 |
| Massachusetts | $76,800 | $78,340 | -1,540 |
| Washington | $72,200 | $79,460 | -7,260 |
| New Jersey | $75,200 | $72,380 | +2,820 |
| Texas | $58,400 | $56,230 | +2,170 |
| Florida | $55,600 | $54,890 | +710 |
| Ohio | $62,800 | $59,420 | +3,380 |
| Georgia | $53,200 | $52,670 | +530 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 state data. Plumber code 47-2152, electrician code 47-2111.
Self-Employed Income: Both Trades
Both plumbers and electricians can earn $100,000 to $250,000+ as self-employed owner-operators. The mechanics differ slightly.
Self-Employed Plumber
- Solo net: $60,000 to $110,000/yr
- Crew net: $80,000 to $250,000+/yr
- Charge rate: $75 to $250/hr depending on type
- Ticket sizes: High (re-pipes, water heaters, sewer work)
- Overhead: 30 to 40% solo, 45 to 55% with crew
- License required: Master plumber in most states
Self-Employed Electrician
- Solo net: $65,000 to $120,000/yr
- Crew net: $90,000 to $250,000+/yr
- Charge rate: $75 to $250/hr depending on type
- Ticket sizes: Variable (panel upgrades $1,500-$5,000, full wiring $8,000-$30,000)
- Overhead: 25 to 35% solo, 40 to 55% with crew
- License required: Master electrician in most states
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Both trades are physically demanding. The nature of the demands differs, and that difference matters for long-term career sustainability.
| Factor | Plumber | Electrician |
|---|---|---|
| Work environment | Basements, crawl spaces, outdoors, sewers | Attics, walls, commercial buildings, heights |
| Heavy lifting | Frequent (pipe, fittings, equipment) | Moderate (conduit, panels, wire spools) |
| Primary hazard | Physical strain, confined spaces, chemicals | Electrocution, arc flash, falls from heights |
| Mess factor | High (water, sewage, soldering, drywall cuts) | Low to moderate (clean install work) |
| Indoor vs outdoor | Mix, heavy outdoor on service calls | Predominantly indoor, especially commercial |
| Emergency call-out frequency | High (burst pipes, clogged drains) | Lower (power outages, code emergencies) |
| Physical wear over career | High (knees, back from crawl spaces) | Moderate (wrist/hand from wire pulling) |
Job Outlook 2026-2033
Electricians have a stronger growth projection, driven by the energy transition. Plumbing growth is solid and driven by aging infrastructure and new construction.
Plumber Outlook
+6%
Projected growth 2023-2033 (BLS). Faster than average for all occupations (+4%). Approximately 51,600 openings per year from growth and replacements.
- + Aging water and sewer infrastructure needs repair
- + New construction: residential and commercial
- + Retiring workforce creating openings
- + Cannot be outsourced or automated
Electrician Outlook
+11%
Projected growth 2023-2033 (BLS). Much faster than average. Approximately 79,900 openings per year from growth and replacements.
- + Solar installation boom
- + EV charging infrastructure rollout
- + Data centre and server farm construction
- + Smart home and building automation
Which Trade Should You Choose?
| If you... | Consider Plumbing | Consider Electrical |
|---|---|---|
| Prefer indoor vs outdoor | Comfortable with both, outdoor/crawl space | Prefer mostly indoor work |
| Emergency income interest | High (burst pipe at 2am) | Lower frequency |
| Math and diagrams | Applied math, pipe sizing, pressure | More theory-heavy, circuit calculations |
| Long-term job growth | Solid (+6%) | Stronger (+11%) |
| Self-employment goal | Strong, high ticket sizes | Strong, cleaner overhead model |
| Tolerance for mess/physical strain | Must be high | Moderate |
| Interest in tech/energy future | Less direct exposure | Solar, EV, smart homes |
Both trades pay well above the national median wage for all occupations ($59,228 in 2024). Neither is a bad choice for someone who does not want to go to college but wants a stable, well-paying career. The right pick depends on your preferences, not just the salary delta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do plumbers or electricians make more money?
Which trade has better job growth?
Which trade has an easier apprenticeship?
Can you be both a plumber and an electrician?
Which is safer: plumbing or electrical work?
Which pays more as self-employed?
Which trade has better union wages?
Which trade is better for working indoors?
Related Resources
Source notes: BLS OES May 2024 (SOC 47-2152 and 47-2111). Job growth projections from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2023-2033 edition. State data from BLS state and area employment statistics.