All careers › Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Plumbing apprentice (plumber helper): pay, job outlook and how to start
- $33,590lowest 10% earn less
- $36,94025th percentile
- $42,360median
- $47,72075th percentile
- $57,780top 10% earn more
The BLS category Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is an entry-level job that typically needs a high school diploma and short on-the-job training[1]. The median pay was $42,360 a year[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.4%[5]
- Openings per year
- 4,400[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[1]
How much do plumbing apprentices and helpers make?
The median wage was $42,360 a year, or $20.36 an hour[2]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The average was $43,730 a year, or $21.03 an hour[7].
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $33,590 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $57,780[3]. The 25th percentile was $36,940 and the 75th was $47,720[3]. Hourly, the 10th and 90th percentiles were $16.15 and $27.78[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4]. The median for this job was below that figure[2][4].
These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 44,330 people worked in this job under that count[11].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest median annual wage among the states with published data, at $56,140[12]. Hawaii and New York were next, both at $52,000[12]. Maine followed at $48,410[12].
Texas had the most jobs, at 7,210[13]. New York (4,840), Florida (4,500), North Carolina (3,070) and California (2,500) followed[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $65,600[14]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Urban Honolulu, HI were next, both at $52,000[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area also had the most jobs, at 4,360[15].
Show median pay in 47 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[12] | $56,140 | 600 |
| Hawaii | $52,000 | 180 |
| New York | $52,000 | 4,840 |
| Maine | $48,410 | n/a |
| Arizona | $47,990 | 460 |
| Alaska | $47,290 | 100 |
| California | $47,130 | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $46,170 | 970 |
| New Hampshire | $46,030 | 70 |
| Ohio | $45,760 | 1,090 |
| District of Columbia | $45,440 | n/a |
| Wyoming | $45,250 | 40 |
| Colorado | $45,030 | 240 |
| Oregon | $44,800 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $44,550 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $44,550 | 1,100 |
| New Jersey | $44,360 | 760 |
| Massachusetts | $44,340 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $43,710 | 3,070 |
| Utah | $43,380 | 390 |
| Kentucky | $43,330 | 960 |
| Michigan | $42,810 | 270 |
| Indiana | $42,240 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,150 | 920 |
| Texas | $41,950 | 7,210 |
| Wisconsin | $41,670 | 450 |
| Montana | $41,420 | 110 |
| Nevada | $41,100 | 350 |
| Kansas | $40,540 | 320 |
| Idaho | $40,120 | n/a |
| New Mexico | $40,100 | 400 |
| Oklahoma | $40,080 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $39,450 | 1,090 |
| Connecticut | $38,930 | 160 |
| Illinois | $38,300 | n/a |
| Virginia | $38,190 | 1,640 |
| Iowa | $37,870 | 350 |
| Georgia | $37,730 | 2,100 |
| Arkansas | $37,670 | 330 |
| Florida | $37,560 | 4,500 |
| Alabama | $37,440 | 770 |
| Mississippi | $37,440 | 400 |
| Vermont | $37,440 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $37,380 | 2,010 |
| South Dakota | $36,500 | 210 |
| Delaware | $36,070 | 140 |
| West Virginia | $35,930 | 130 |
| Missouri | $34,630 | 280 |
How to become a plumbing apprentice or helper
- First: finish high school or get an equivalent. That is the usual education for entry[1]. Related work experience is not typically needed[1].
- Next: expect to learn on the job. Training for this occupation is typically short-term[1]. Workers may start by shadowing experienced people and doing tasks under their guidance[16].
- Then: check what employers want. Employers often require a safety certification that meets OSHA guidelines, either before or after hiring[17]. A valid driver's license may also be required[18].
- Later: some workers join apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with technical instruction[19]. Helpers sometimes move into construction trades after gaining experience and completing any required credentials or training[20].
Helpful high school classes include math and career and technical programs such as construction technology or welding[21].
The training details here come from a Handbook profile that covers a wider group of occupations than this one[22].
What plumbing apprentices and helpers do
Helpers assist plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters or pipelayers with duties that need less skill, such as handling materials and tools and cleaning the work area[23]. Tasks reported to O*NET include:
- Fitting valves, couplings or assemblies to tanks, pumps or systems[24].
- Mounting brackets and hangers to hold pipes[24].
- Repairing fixtures and water heaters, and finding and fixing leaking pipes[24].
- Measuring, cutting, threading and assembling new pipe[24].
- Helping pipefitters lay out and install piping for air, gas and water systems[24].
- Cutting or drilling holes in walls or floors so pipes can pass through[24].
Workers report job titles such as plumber helper, plumbing apprentice and pipefitter helper[25].
Where they work
Work is often outdoors, in all kinds of weather. Some work at great heights or in confined spaces, and travel to jobsites may be required[26]. The Handbook says injury and illness rates for construction laborers are among the highest of any occupation, and safety practices lower the risk[27].
Most work full time, and schedules can vary. Some work only in certain seasons, since cold weather can limit winter construction in northern areas[28]. Specialty trade contractors were the largest employers, at 32%[29]. Few helpers are self-employed[30]. BLS put the self-employed share at 1.7% in 2025[31].
This work environment text covers a wider group than just plumbing helpers[22].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 45,300 to 46,400 jobs[5]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[32]. So this job is projected to grow a little more slowly than average.
About 4,400 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings include jobs that come from workers leaving, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 6.1% move to a different occupation[33].
One factor limiting growth is that construction laborers are increasingly given helper tasks, because they can support many trades, including plumbing and pipefitting[34].
Is it a good fit?
The entry bar is low. A high school diploma, no related experience and short on-the-job training are typical[1]. Pay is below the all-occupations median[2][4], and growth is slightly below average[5][32]. Openings still come up each year[6]. The job can also lead on. BLS lists Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at a median of $63,800[35]. The work is often outdoors, and the Handbook says construction laborers have among the highest injury and illness rates[26][27].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a plumber helper make an hour?
- The median was $20.36 an hour, and the average was $21.03[2][7].
- What education do you need to be a plumbing apprentice?
- The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with short-term on-the-job training[1].
- Is plumbing helper a growing field?
- Employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][32]. About 4,400 openings are projected each year[6].
- What is the highest paying state for plumbing helpers?
- Washington, with a median of $56,140 a year[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the US was $42,360 per year and $20.36 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: 10th percentile $33,590, 25th percentile $36,940, 75th percentile $47,720, 90th percentile $57,780. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 45,300 to 46,400 jobs (a change of +1,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 4,400 openings for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters was $43,730 per year and $21.03 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: 10th percentile $16.15, 25th percentile $17.76, 75th percentile $22.94, 90th percentile $27.78. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 44,330 people were employed as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs: Texas 7,210; New York 4,840; Florida 4,500; North Carolina 3,070; California 2,500. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $65,600; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $52,000; Urban Honolulu, HI $52,000; Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $51,940; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $51,350; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $49,660; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,990; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $46,950. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,360 (median $52,000); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,330 (median $43,680); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,500 (median $44,750); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,260 (median $37,520); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,100 (median $39,650); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 960 (median $46,540). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Construction Laborers and Helpers" covers Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 47-3015.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Pipefitter Helper, Plumber Apprentice, Plumber Assistant, Plumber Helper, Plumbing Apprentice, Plumbing Helper, Plumbing Residential Apprentice. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction laborers and helpers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Occupational substitution - share decreases as construction laborers are increasingly assigned helpers tasks because they can support various trades, including pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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