Trade Career Comparison

Which trade career fits you best?

Plumber

Install and repair piping systems for water, gas, and drainage in buildings and infrastructure.

$62,970/yr median

$36,700$102,530

AverageHeavyUnion: HighEntry: Moderate

Training Path

4-5 year apprenticeship

Environment

Indoor/Outdoor

Outlook

Average (+4%)

BLS Code

47-2152

Pros

✓Recession-resistant career — pipes break and toilets clog regardless of the economy, so plumbers stay busy when other trades slow down.
✓Excellent earning potential, especially for self-employed plumbers who can charge premium rates for emergency and after-hours calls.
✓Strong union options through the UA (United Association) with good pension and healthcare benefits.
✓Highly portable skills — every building needs plumbing, so you can find work in any city or state.
✓Variety of work — you can specialize in residential, commercial, new construction, service/repair, or medical gas systems.

Cons

✗The work can be genuinely unpleasant — you will deal with raw sewage, clogged drains, and work in wet, dirty conditions regularly.
✗Physically demanding work that takes a toll on your knees, back, and shoulders from working in cramped spaces and lifting heavy pipes.
✗Emergency calls are part of the deal — burst pipes and sewer backups do not wait for business hours, especially if you run your own shop.
✗The apprenticeship is long (4-5 years) and the licensing process is rigorous, with exams covering extensive plumbing codes.
✗Exposure to hazardous materials including lead (in older buildings), asbestos, and sewer gases is an occupational reality.
✗Working in crawl spaces, ditches, and under buildings means encountering insects, rodents, and other creatures on a regular basis.

What the Life Is Like

A plumber's daily life depends heavily on whether you work in new construction, service/repair, or commercial projects. New construction plumbers follow a more predictable schedule, roughing in pipe systems before walls go up, then returning later to install fixtures. Service plumbers have less predictable days — you might start the morning snaking a drain at a restaurant, then get dispatched to a water heater replacement across town, then finish with an emergency leak call.

Typical hours are 7 AM to 3:30 PM on construction sites, but service plumbers often work later and may be on call. The work culture is practical and direct. Plumbing crews tend to be tight-knit, and experienced journeymen take pride in mentoring apprentices. There is a real sense of doing essential work — you are protecting public health by ensuring clean water comes in and waste goes out safely.

Physically, plumbing is one of the more demanding trades. You will dig trenches, carry cast iron pipe, work on your knees under sinks, and squeeze into spaces most people would not fit. Your body will feel it over the years, particularly your knees and lower back. Many experienced plumbers recommend investing in good knee pads early and taking care of your body — stretching, staying in shape, and not trying to be a hero with heavy lifts.

How to Get Started

Get your high school diploma or GED

Required for apprenticeship programs. Math skills matter — you will calculate pipe grades, water pressure, and fixture unit loads throughout your career.

Look into UA apprenticeship programs

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA) runs joint apprenticeship programs across the country. Non-union apprenticeships through PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association) are another option.

Apply and prepare for aptitude testing

Apprenticeship programs typically require an aptitude test covering math and mechanical reasoning, plus an interview. Strong math scores and a clean driving record help your application significantly.

Complete your apprenticeship (4-5 years)

You will earn while you learn — starting at roughly 50% of journeyman wages and increasing each year. Training includes hands-on job site experience plus classroom instruction covering plumbing codes, blueprint reading, and safety.

Pass your journeyman plumber exam

Licensing requirements vary by state and municipality, but most require passing a written exam on the Uniform Plumbing Code or International Plumbing Code. Some states also require a practical skills test.

Consider specialization or a master license

After working as a journeyman for several years, you can pursue a master plumber license (required to pull permits and run your own business in most jurisdictions). Specializations like medical gas piping or backflow prevention testing can boost your earning potential.

Felony Record & Licensing

Varies by State

Plumbing licenses are state-regulated. Some states (e.g., Louisiana) prohibit blanket felony bans; others restrict for certain convictions.

Check your state's licensing board before enrolling in a program. Rules vary significantly.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026