Electrician vs. Plumber: Which Career Is Right for You?
Quick answer: Plumbers earn a slightly higher median wage at $63,800 a year, just ahead of electricians at $63,190 (BLS, May 2025), so pay is close to a wash. Electricians have more open jobs and faster projected growth (9.5% vs. 4.5% through 2034). Pick electrician if you want stronger hiring numbers and work with wiring and circuits; pick plumber if you prefer water systems and service calls that often pay premium rates.
Choosing between a career as an electrician and a plumber is one of the most common decisions people face when entering the skilled trades. Both are solid, in-demand careers, but they differ in pay, work environment, training requirements, and long-term outlook.
This guide breaks down the key differences using current Bureau of Labor Statistics data so you can make an informed decision.
Electrician vs. Plumber at a Glance
| Category | Electrician | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $63,190 | $63,800 |
| Median Hourly | $30.38 | $30.67 |
| Entry-Level Pay (10th %) | $42,640 | $44,150 |
| Experienced Pay (90th %) | $108,510 | $108,420 |
| Total Employed | 757,220 | 465,840 |
| Job Growth (2024-2034) | 9.5% (faster than average) | 4.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Annual Job Openings | 81,000 | 44,000 |
| Typical Training | 4-5 years (apprenticeship) | 4-5 years (apprenticeship) |
| Work Setting | Residential, commercial, and industrial buildings | Residential, commercial, and industrial sites |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS, May 2025); Employment Projections (2024-2034).
Salary Comparison
Electricians and plumbers earn nearly identical median salaries, within about $610 of each other (BLS, May 2025). Plumbers come out slightly ahead at the median, but electricians edge ahead at the very top of the pay scale.
Here is how pay breaks down across experience levels:
| Pay Level | Electrician | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $42,640 | $44,150 |
| Early Career (25th percentile) | $49,430 | $50,190 |
| Median | $63,190 | $63,800 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $83,940 | $85,110 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $108,510 | $108,420 |
Source: BLS, May 2025.
Keep in mind that salaries vary by state, metro area, union membership, specialization, and overtime. Both trades frequently offer overtime that can push annual earnings well above the median.
Job Outlook and Demand
Electrician jobs are projected to grow faster than plumber jobs, 9.5% versus 4.5%, through 2034.
| Metric | Electrician | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | 757,220 | 465,840 |
| Projected Growth | 9.5% | 4.5% |
| Annual Openings | 81,000 | 44,000 |
Source: BLS, May 2025; Employment Projections (2024-2034).
Annual openings include positions created by workers retiring, changing careers, or moving into supervisory roles. With 81,000 openings per year for electricians and 44,000 for plumbers, both fields offer strong hiring prospects.
Training and Education
Electrician: Apprenticeship, or trade school followed by an apprenticeship. Training typically takes 4 to 5 years. Key credentials include a state journeyman or master license and OSHA 10 or 30 safety cards.
Plumber: Apprenticeship, or trade school followed by an apprenticeship. Training typically takes 4 to 5 years. Key credentials include a state journeyman or master license and backflow prevention certification.
Both careers require hands-on training, and most states require some form of licensing or certification before you can work independently.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Electrician: Electricians typically work in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Physical demands include climbing, lifting, and working in confined spaces and at heights.
Plumber: Plumbers typically work in residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Physical demands include heavy lifting, crawling, and exposure to unsanitary conditions.
Career Advancement
Electrician: The typical career path goes from apprentice to journeyman to master electrician to electrical contractor.
Plumber: The typical career path goes from apprentice to journeyman to master plumber to plumbing contractor.
Both careers offer a path to self-employment. Experienced electricians and plumbers often start their own contracting businesses, which can significantly increase earning potential.
Which Career Should You Choose?
Choose Electrician if you:
- Enjoy working with electrical systems, wiring, and circuitry
- Want the trade with more annual openings and faster projected growth
- Are comfortable working at heights and in tight spaces
- Want a path to running your own electrical contracting business
Choose Plumber if you:
- Are interested in water systems, piping, and drainage
- Want steady demand that is less affected by new construction slowdowns
- Do not mind physically demanding work in challenging conditions
- Want emergency and service call work that often pays premium rates
There is no wrong answer here. Both are respected, well-paying trades with strong demand across the country. Your decision should come down to which type of work interests you more on a daily basis.
Related Resources
- Learn more about becoming an electrician
- Learn more about becoming a plumber
- Compare trade salaries nationally
- Find trade schools near you
FAQ
Do electricians or plumbers make more money?
Plumbers earn slightly more. The median plumber wage is $63,800 a year, versus $63,190 for electricians, a gap of about $610 (BLS, May 2025). Top earners in both trades clear $108,000, with the 90th percentile at $108,510 for electricians and $108,420 for plumbers.
Is Electrician or Plumber a better career?
Both are strong choices with nearly identical median pay (BLS, May 2025). Electrician jobs are projected to grow faster, 9.5% versus 4.5% through 2034, with about 81,000 annual openings against 44,000 for plumbers. The right pick comes down to whether you prefer working with electrical systems or water and piping.
Which trade is easier to get into?
Both are accessible with a high school diploma and no college degree. Each typically takes 4 to 5 years of apprenticeship to reach journeyman level, combining paid on-the-job hours with classroom instruction. Most states require a license before you can work independently in either trade.
Can you switch from Electrician to Plumber?
Yes. Foundational skills such as reading blueprints, following building codes, and working safely on job sites transfer between trades. You would still need trade-specific apprenticeship hours and a separate license for the new trade.
What is the starting pay for electricians and plumbers?
Entry-level workers earn around the 10th percentile while they train. That is $42,640 a year for electricians and $44,150 for plumbers (BLS, May 2025). Apprentices typically start lower and earn scheduled raises as they complete hours toward journeyman status.
Which trade has better job security?
Both trades have steady demand because licensed work cannot be outsourced and is needed for repairs, remodels, and new construction. Electricians have the edge on raw hiring, with 81,000 annual openings and faster projected growth (9.5%) versus 44,000 openings and 4.5% growth for plumbers through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034).
Do electricians or plumbers work harder physically?
Both are physically demanding. Electricians do more climbing, ladder work, and tasks at height, often in tight ceilings and crawl spaces. Plumbers do more heavy lifting, crawling, and digging, and they deal with water, sewage, and unsanitary conditions on service calls.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.