Plumber Hourly Rates - What Does a Plumber get paid Per Hour?

By Blake Maxted

If your pipes burst or you have a clog, who is the first person you call? The plumber, naturally is the first thought to enter your head. This is one sector that does not seem to be affected by the economy. Many people are deciding to learn this profession due to this fact. However, one thing they want to know is how much a plumber typically makes per hour.

Keep in mind, not all plumbers are equal on the pay scale. A union plumber will earn more than one who is non-union. An apprentice will earn less than someone who has been in the profession for many years. So, consider the following a ?ballpark? look at the wages plumbers earn per year.

Looking at average salaries for a plumber working in the U.S., the numbers are often difficult to understand. For instance, the listed salary of $27,000 per year is arrived at by averaging all plumbing jobs. This breaks down to mean that a helper in the plumbing profession will make $18,000 per year while a licensed plumber makes about $47,000. In order to keep clear on these figures, let's look at them on a $20,000, $30,000 and $40,000 basis.

Those who are starting out in the plumbing profession are essentially earning a salary while they work. A Plumber?s Helper earns the aforementioned $18,000 but they drop the apostrophe S when they become a Plumber Helper and, in doing so, can earn upwards of $25,000 per year. That would be plumber hourly rates of $9 - $12 an hour.

When a person becomes an actual plumber their earnings will be about $30,000. The higher in the profession you go the more potential for higher earnings you have. Specialists in some fields make around $33,000 while the higher up specialists such as pipe fitters and commercial plumbers may make in the upper 30s. This means they are earning approximately $15 to $19 per hour.

Top rates paid for plumbers who are licensed are from $40 to $50,000 a year. This includes journeyman plumbers, plumber technicians and plumber pipe fitters. An hourly rate of $20 to $25 would be what this annual salary ends up being.

Understand that the averages worked out here are assuming the person is working 40 hours per week. The is considered the base rate of pay. Many people work over 40 hours per week. This means the amount they earn will be higher. On the other hand, some people work part time and do not make as much. As you can see, the pay rate will be dependent on how many hours you work and the work you do. - 30517

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