Julian Kovach didn’t plan to become a plumber. Even after he earned an opportunity to help out a friend who owned a plumbing company, he says his first few years in the business weren’t wonderful. 

“You’re crawling in dirty spots, you know?” Kovach said. 

So what changed his mind? Fascination with plumbing. “Over time, you learn the knowledge of plumbing and how a whole plumbing system works,” Kovach said. 

The pay rate also helped make this profession appealing to Kovach: “There’s huge money…tons of opportunity because everybody needs plumbing. It will always be essential.”

Training and licensing requirements vary among states and even jurisdictions. Kovach is currently an apprentice, getting paid as he learns the craft. In Colorado where he lives, apprenticeships last about four years. The next level is journeyman, followed by master plumber. Learn more about plumbing as a career here. 

Looking back, Kovach believes he would have chosen to begin training as a plumber right out of high school if he knew then what he knows now. He explained, “The opportunities are there to make it, much more than compared to getting a bachelor’s degree in college. If you go right into the trades, (get trained) and get licensed, you can advance to so many places.”

So how much money can you expect to make as a plumber? The answer depends on where you live, how far you have progressed in your training, and on the company you are working for. Kovach estimates that a licensed journeyman plumber can make as much as $70,000 a year to start. 

That would be a great starting salary even for someone with a college degree. When you consider that you can earn at that level without having to set aside several hundred dollars for student loan payments each month, it’s even more appealing.

To get to the top of the earning ladder in plumbing, plumbers can apply to become master plumbers, which requires passing an exam on local plumbing codes and advanced, specialty plumbing knowledge. Kovach notes that master plumbers who own their own businesses often bring in six-figure salaries. It’s possible to make a very comfortable living in this industry–without the burden of student loan debt–if you are willing to put in the time and effort on training.

One expense that prospective plumbers need to keep in mind is that they may need to invest in their own tools. Some plumbing companies may supply their team with tools, but it’s not a guarantee. Kovach estimates that the average plumber starts out spending between $1,000-$2,000 on tools. 

Money aside, what makes plumbing an appealing career path? Kovach said, “I love the freedom. We’re at new job sites every day, out and about, working with good people.”

For plumbers, the variety of tasks and job sites keep things interesting. You can gain satisfaction from working independently on projects that are essential to your community. Kovach sums it up with a description of his best days at work: “You come in and everybody’s got everything they need – all the materials are there. We’ve got music going and we’re rocking and rolling and doing work.”