Electrician vs Plumber Salary
Two of the most in-demand skilled trades in America. The salary difference is smaller than most people expect -- but career path, working conditions, and local demand vary meaningfully.
Do electricians or plumbers make more money?
They earn almost the same, with plumbers now edging ahead at the median. Plumbers have a median wage of $63,800/yr (BLS 47-2152) versus $63,190/yr for electricians (BLS 47-2111), both from the OEWS May 2025 release -- a gap of just $610. At the top 10% it reverses to a near dead heat: electricians reach $108,510 against plumbers' $108,420, a difference of only $90. In other words, base pay is effectively a wash. The real deciders are career path, working conditions, and local demand: electricians have the faster job-growth outlook (+9% vs +4% for 2024-2034, BLS) and a stronger tailwind from EV chargers, solar, and grid work, while plumbers benefit from 24/7 emergency service demand and ageing water infrastructure.
- Hourly median
- $30.38
- Top 10%
- $108,510
- Bottom 10%
- $42,640
- Employed (US)
- 757,220
- 10-yr outlook
- +9% (much faster)
- Hourly median
- $30.67
- Top 10%
- $108,420
- Bottom 10%
- $44,150
- Employed (US)
- 465,840
- 10-yr outlook
- +4% (about avg)
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111 for electricians; 47-2152 for plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters combined). Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Salary by Career Level
| Level | Electrician | Plumber | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $33,000-$38,000 | $30,000-$36,000 | Electrician |
| Apprentice (Year 3-4) | $50,000-$60,000 | $48,000-$58,000 | Even |
| Journeyman | $63,190 | $63,800 | Plumber |
| Master / Foreman | $78,140 | $76,000-$80,000 | Even |
| Self-Employed (solo) | $65,000-$90,000 net | $60,000-$85,000 net | Slight electrician |
| Self-Employed (with crew) | $100,000-$250,000 net | $100,000-$220,000 net | Even |
Factor-by-Factor Comparison
| Factor | Electrician | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeship length | 4-5 years | 4-5 years |
| Union (major metros) | IBEW | UA (United Association) |
| Physical demands | Overhead work, ladders, confined spaces | Crawl spaces, trenching, heavy pipe |
| Exposure to elements | High (outdoor / rough-in work) | High (service calls in all weather) |
| Electrocution risk | Present -- arc flash, live conductors | Lower direct risk |
| After-hours demand | Moderate (emergency outages) | High (burst pipes, 24/7 emergency calls) |
| EV / clean energy tailwind | Strong -- EV chargers, solar, battery storage | Moderate -- heat pump plumbing |
| Tool investment to start | $2,000-$5,000 | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Fastest path to $100k+ | Master + estimating or industrial speciality | Master + service/remodel niche |
| Remote work possible? | No | No |
Which Trade Should You Choose?
Choose Electrician if...
- +You are drawn to technology -- smart panels, EV chargers, building automation, solar
- +You prefer problem-solving with diagrams, schematics, and test equipment
- +Your local IBEW local has a strong wage scale and short waitlist
- +You want the longest runway: industrial, solar, EV infrastructure are all electrician work
Choose Plumber if...
- +You prefer immediate, tangible results (fixing a leak or installing a system in one visit)
- +After-hours emergency service pay (burst pipes, backed-up sewers) appeals to you
- +Your local UA chapter is more accessible than IBEW in your area
- +You want to build a residential service business quickly (lower truck cost than electrical)
View the Plumber Perspective
Our sister site PlumberSalary.com covers the same comparison from the plumber side -- with plumber-specific state data, IBEW UA wage scales, and the path from apprentice to master plumber.
Plumber vs Electrician at PlumberSalary.com