Plumbing · FF-014
U.S. Plumbing Workforce & Household Water Use
Explore the plumbing workforce, current pay, job outlook, household water demand, and the scale of preventable leaks across U.S. homes.
Interactive comparison
Plumbing workforce
Switch between employment, pay, water-use benchmarks, and water-saving opportunities.
Skilled-trades workforce
Nearly half a million plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
BLS reports plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters together under SOC 47-2152. OEWS employment estimates exclude self-employed workers.
Related pipe trades
Plumbing systems support a broader construction workforce
| Occupation | Employment | Mean hourly | Mean annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters & steamfitters | 465,840 | $34.70 | $72,170 |
| Pipelayers | 33,050 | $26.30 | $54,700 |
| Helpers — pipelayers/plumbers/pipefitters | 44,330 | $21.03 | $43,730 |
Career outlook
Replacement demand keeps the trade active
The Occupational Outlook Handbook uses a different employment concept and reference year than OEWS, so its 2024 employment figure should not be compared directly with the May 2025 OEWS estimate.
Household water demand
Everyday plumbing fixtures move a substantial volume of water
EPA WaterSense reports that each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water per day at home. That benchmark traces to USGS national water-use estimates and provides useful context for fixture, pipe-flow, and water-efficiency calculations.
Leaks & efficiency
Small plumbing failures add up quickly
| Water-use benchmark | Potential impact | EPA context |
|---|---|---|
| Average family household leaks | 9,400 gal/year | About 180 gallons per week |
| Nationwide household leaks | ~900B gal/year | Roughly the annual household use of nearly 11 million homes |
| Old toilet replacement | 13,000 gal/year saved | Average family with WaterSense-labeled toilets |
| WaterSense showerheads | >2,700 gal/year saved | Average family |
| Well-managed irrigation | ~7,600 gal/year saved | About 15% irrigation-water reduction |
These are national household benchmarks, not guarantees for an individual property. Actual savings depend on occupancy, fixture condition, local rates, climate, and behavior.
Methodology & sources
About these figures
This page keeps workforce statistics and water-use benchmarks separate. Employment and wage figures are from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025. Career projections are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Household water-use and leak benchmarks are published by EPA WaterSense and reference USGS national water-use work.
Workforce source: BLS May 2025 OEWS · Outlook: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook · Water efficiency: EPA WaterSense statistics · Water-use context: USGS Water Use in the United States.
CalculateMeasure refresh: Aug. 22, 2026 · Review cadence: Annual for BLS OEWS and WaterSense benchmarks; review sooner when EPA/USGS materially revises national water-use guidance.
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