Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
How Much Do Plumbers Really Make in 2026? (Real Numbers From Apprentice to Owner)
No, plumbers don’t all make $40,000 a year. And no, we’re not all millionaires either.
In this video, I break down the real numbers for plumbing income in 2026 — from first-year apprentice all the way to master plumber and business owner.
I’m Roger Wakefield, and I’ve been in the plumbing industry for over 45 years. I’ve worked my way up through the union, run a plumbing company, hired and trained plumbers at every level, and mentored tradespeople across the country. After my last video about becoming a plumber in 2026, the #1 question was:
“Yeah, but what do plumbers actually make?”
So here’s the breakdown:
🔹 Apprentice Pay (Year 1–4)
• $15–$22/hr in many markets
• $22–$25/hr in larger cities
• Some union apprentices: $40–$50/hr
• $40,000–$50,000+ per year while learning
• No student loan debt
🔹 Tradesman (Texas example)
• $27–$30/hr right out of high school in some cases
• ~$50,000–$60,000 annually
🔹 Journeyman Plumber (Licensed)
• $30–$60/hr depending on location
• High-demand markets can go higher
• Commission-based service plumbers can earn six figures
• Some top performers: $250K–$350K/year
🔹 Master Plumber
• $100K–$150K+ working for a company
• Commercial & industrial masters can earn even more
• Can pull permits and operate independently
🔹 Plumbing Business Owners
• Small, well-run companies: $150K–$250K/year is common
• Large service companies: high six to seven figures possible
• Healthy profit margins: 10–20% (service)
We also talk about:
✔️ The difference between company revenue and take-home pay
✔️ Why wages are rising in 2026 (retirements + labor shortages)
✔️ Union vs non-union markets
✔️ Location differences
✔️ Work ethic, communication skills, and business knowledge
✔️ Comparing plumbing vs college debt paths
✔️ Wealth building and investing early
Plumbing is physical work — yes. But it’s also evolving. Today’s plumbers use cameras, diagnostics, and advanced systems. Many operate more like consultants than laborers.
If you’re under 25, this might be one of the biggest opportunities available right now. The labor shortage is real. Demand is steady. Wages are rising.
The trades aren’t “settling.” They’re strategic.
If this video changed how you see plumbing, comment “Respect the Trades.”
And if you want a video on how to make $200,000+ per year as a plumber — or the biggest mistakes young plumbers make — let me know below.
I’m Roger Wakefield, and in 2026, the people who know how to move water safely and efficiently are going to be worth a whole lot of money.
See you in the next video.
Download the Wakefield App ▶️ https://wakefield.app/
Join our FREE community ▶️ discord.gg/zu3KHudqAB
Get More Calls, Close More Jobs —Without Lifting a Finger! ▶️ rogersmarketingmachine.com
Get the BEST Leak Detection Equipment ▶️ leak-pro.com
▶️ My favorite equipment & tools on Amazon - amazon.com/shop/rogerwakefield
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
*NOTE: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at NO COST TO YOU. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, The Expert Plumber, and welcome to my channel. On this channel, it's ALL about plumbing. We play games, we experiment, and we have FUN here, talking and learning about all things plumbing!
____________________________________________________________________________
How Much Do Plumbers Really Make in 2026? (Real Numbers From Apprentice to Owner)
No, plumbers don’t all make $40,000 a year. And no, we’re not all millionaires either.
In this video, I break down the real numbers for plumbing income in 2026 — from first-year apprentice all the way to master plumber and business owner.
I’m Roger Wakefield, and I’ve been in the plumbing industry for over 45 years. I’ve worked my way up through the union, run a plumbing company, hired and trained plumbers at every level, and mentored tradespeople across the country. After my last video about becoming a plumber in 2026, the #1 question was:
“Yeah, but what do plumbers actually make?”
So here’s the breakdown:
🔹 Apprentice Pay (Year 1–4)
• $15–$22/hr in many markets
• $22–$25/hr in larger cities
• Some union apprentices: $40–$50/hr
• $40,000–$50,000+ per year while learning
• No student loan debt
🔹 Tradesman (Texas example)
• $27–$30/hr right out of high school in some cases
• ~$50,000–$60,000 annually
🔹 Journeyman Plumber (Licensed)
• $30–$60/hr depending on location
• High-demand markets can go higher
• Commission-based service plumbers can earn six figures
• Some top performers: $250K–$350K/year
🔹 Master Plumber
• $100K–$150K+ working for a company
• Commercial & industrial masters can earn even more
• Can pull permits and operate independently
🔹 Plumbing Business Owners
• Small, well-run companies: $150K–$250K/year is common
• Large service companies: high six to seven figures possible
• Healthy profit margins: 10–20% (service)
We also talk about:
✔️ The difference between company revenue and take-home pay
✔️ Why wages are rising in 2026 (retirements + labor shortages)
✔️ Union vs non-union markets
✔️ Location differences
✔️ Work ethic, communication skills, and business knowledge
✔️ Comparing plumbing vs college debt paths
✔️ Wealth building and investing early
Plumbing is physical work — yes. But it’s also evolving. Today’s plumbers use cameras, diagnostics, and advanced systems. Many operate more like consultants than laborers.
If you’re under 25, this might be one of the biggest opportunities available right now. The labor shortage is real. Demand is steady. Wages are rising.
The trades aren’t “settling.” They’re strategic.
If this video changed how you see plumbing, comment “Respect the Trades.”
And if you want a video on how to make $200,000+ per year as a plumber — or the biggest mistakes young plumbers make — let me know below.
I’m Roger Wakefield, and in 2026, the people who know how to move water safely and efficiently are going to be worth a whole lot of money.
See you in the next video.
Download the Wakefield App ▶️ https://wakefield.app/
Join our FREE community ▶️ discord.gg/zu3KHudqAB
Get More Calls, Close More Jobs —Without Lifting a Finger! ▶️ rogersmarketingmachine.com
Get the BEST Leak Detection Equipment ▶️ leak-pro.com
▶️ My favorite equipment & tools on Amazon - amazon.com/shop/rogerwakefield
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
*NOTE: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at NO COST TO YOU. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, The Expert Plumber, and welcome to my channel. On this channel, it's ALL about plumbing. We play games, we experiment, and we have FUN here, talking and learning about all things plumbing!
____________________________________________________________________________
