Rate For Plumber - How Much Should You Earn Per Hour Working As A Plumber?

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.

This will depend on several factors. Those who belong to unions will earn more. The plumber's apprentice will start at less on the pay scale than a seasoned plumber. Therefore, the wages we will be looking at for plumbers are just a general idea of how much they can make.

The average salary of a plumber in the United States is somewhat misleading. It is listed at $27,000 a year but this figure includes the salaries of all people in the plumbing profession. As such, a Plumber?s Helper only earns $18,000 a year whereas a Master Plumber earns in the neighborhood of $47,000 a year. So, for clarity?s sake, we will break down the salaries into the $20K, 30K, and 40K+ range.

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.

Keep in mind these numbers are based on a person working 40 hours a week. As such, the base rate is what this is considered. If you work more than 40 hours, overtime will apply which will end up being more income. If you do not work 40 hours a week, your pay will be less. The money earned as a plumber is based upon how much you work and the services performed. - 30517

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