Normally how much do plumbers make a year?

[Kitty 34]

I have a nephew (28) who has been toying with going into plumbing. He has been telling my sister (his mom) that he could earn up to $150,000 a year in a couple of years. I've googled wages but I'm sure the different wages have to do with where you work. This would be Michigan or possibly Indiana or Ohio.

 

[Micca]

Don't know for sure, but most plumbers are flush with cash.

 

[JaxDad]

$150K could be a pipe dream...

 

[ImDMous]

My BIL is a plumber, his wife has a full-time office job with a doctor. They are barely scraping by. I think it depends a great deal on if you own your own business, work for a commercial plumber, install new construction, fix toilets and repair leaks, location, etc etc. He should probably get the specifics before starting out with that expectation.

 

[tzolkin]

I think "up to" is the key phrase.

That's an issue with most searches of "how much do ___ earn?" I think it sets people up with unrealistic expectations. Many students are taking out huge amounts of debt thinking they'll be making a certain amount the day they graduate, when in fact that amount may be the top pay for that field in a high cost of living area not the average.

 

[Kitty 34]

I think "up to" is the key phrase.

That's an issue with most searches of "how much do ___ earn?" I think it sets people up with unrealistic expectations. Many students are taking out huge amounts of debt thinking they'll be making a certain amount the day they graduate, when in fact that amount may be the top pay for that field in a high cost of living area not the average.

I agree. And while on the subject just what kind of schooling should a plumber have?

 

[Patch'sD]

I would say that this is a Union Plumber building trades plumber who after a multi year internship/apprenticeship is scaled paid.

 

[tvguy]

$29,239 - $76,583 according to this website.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Plumber/Hourly_Rate

 

[Christine]

I would say that this is a Union Plumber building trades plumber who after a multi year internship/apprenticeship is scaled paid.

It seems kind of high, but maybe in New York? My DH is a union electrician on commercial buildings with a 5 year apprenticeship under his belt. Pay is around $95K with health benefits paid for as well as a good pension. With all that rolled in, yes, you're probably looking at $150K. As far as he knows, none of his buddies in the other trades make a $150K salary in the DC area at least.

 

[Squirlz]

$150K could be a pipe dream...

I see what you did there.

 

[ready123go]

I agree. And while on the subject just what kind of schooling should a plumber have?

For Michigan look at Michigan dot gov Dept of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). High school diploma or equivalent. Median pay is listed at $49,140 (2012). I believe he will have to work for someone before he can apply for his apprenticeship. We're in mechanical contracting, so our requirements are different, but a brief look at the site shows requirements that seem similar to an electrician friend of ours' experience.

 

[MickeySP]

Around here a licensed & insured makes between 75-100 an hour so pretty decent living. I would estimate over $100k if they are good

 

[chartle]

Around here a licensed & insured makes between 75-100 an hour so pretty decent living. I would estimate over $100k if they are good

Is that working for someone else or themselves? If its for themselves you have to figure in a vehicle with gas and upkeep, tools, advertising and all the other expenses of being self employed. Also there may not be 8 hours of chargeable work a day.

 

[MickeySP]

Is that working for someone else or themselves? If its for themselves you have to figure in a vehicle with gas and upkeep, tools, advertising and all the other expenses of being self employed. Also there may not be 8 hours of chargeable work a day.

Both, the reason I left the gap is because company is about 100. We also have a family business local that depending on the job 75-100. My new toilet install - 15 minute job - 125, by family business.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

I have a nephew (28) who has been toying with going into plumbing. He has been telling my sister (his mom) that he could earn up to $150,000 a year in a couple of years. I've googled wages but I'm sure the different wages have to do with where you work. This would be Michigan or possibly Indiana or Ohio.

Maybe if it's in a high cost of living state. That's not happening in the Midwest, especially pay only. Our friend is a union plumber with 7 years and without overtime he's around 60k pay only. Benefits are good and if that's all included it closer to 90. But, he must drive his own vehicle and pay for his own gas. Sometimes his job can be up to 2 hours away.

 

[low-key]

They generally get paid 200 dollars for every inch of butt crack they show

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Is that working for someone else or themselves? If its for themselves you have to figure in a vehicle with gas and upkeep, tools, advertising and all the other expenses of being self employed. Also there may not be 8 hours of chargeable work a day.

Yeah, that sounds more like the rate for a service call, not what the plumber actually earns. Example, I know a mechanic making less than $35,000 a year, but the rate in his shop is over $100 per hour.

 

[chartle]

Yeah, that sounds more like the rate for a service call, not what the plumber actually earns. Example, I know a mechanic making less than $35,000 a year, but the rate in his shop is over $100 per hour.

I used to do like a Geek Squad thing where I went to homes to fix computers for another company. It was $65 an hour and I got half. 2,000 hours a year times $32 = what $64,000 a year Wow. Well It didn't include travel time and I was 1099ed so a self employed contractor paying for my own gas, etc. I was lucky to get 4 chargeable hours a day. Being self employed you have to pay both sides of your SS and there is no such thing as vacation days or Health care. So it worked out to maybe $20,000 a year for 52 weeks of work.

Oh and people would complain about the cost. They had no problem paying a plumber $400 to replace a garbage disposer but balked at $100 to save all their family photos.

 

[Art 1]

I have a nephew (28) who has been toying with going into plumbing. He has been telling my sister (his mom) that he could earn up to $150,000 a year in a couple of years. I've googled wages but I'm sure the different wages have to do with where you work. This would be Michigan or possibly Indiana or Ohio.

He could, yes.

 

[Amii]

My husband and I own a plumbing business in Massachusetts. Our licensed plumbers make $30.00 an hour. They also get paid sick days, 2 weeks paid vacation a year, paid holidays, Christmas bonuses and we pay all of their health care premiums for them and their families. We also contribute to 401k plans. We have company trucks so the plumbers do not have to use their own vehicles or pay for gas.

He could make much more if he owned his own business. Owning a plumbing business is hard. You have to be on call 24/7 for emergencies. (Gas leaks, no heat, water heaters that let go)