How much does a plumber helper make?
a year · about $20 an hour
A typical plumber helper in the United States makes $42,360 a year, about $20 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A helper carries tools and pipe, measures and cuts pieces, and helps fit them into supports or holes in walls. They also fetch supplies and clean the work area.
Did you know? In the US, plumber helpers may work nights, weekends, and even emergency calls—not just regular daytime hours.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,590 and $57,780How do you become one?
Many plumber helpers start after high school or a GED and learn on the job by carrying tools, holding materials, and cleaning up. Later, a 4–5-year paid apprenticeship with classroom study is a common route to plumbing work, and most states require plumbers to be licensed.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with a helper’s skill and the employer’s industry. Work location and hours matter too, and some jobs include nights, weekends, or emergency calls.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($56,140), lowest in Louisiana ($37,380).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,590 | $42,360 | $57,780 | about 44,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $56,140 | about 600 |
| New York | $52,000 | about 5,000 |
| California | $47,130 | about 3,000 |
| Maryland | $46,170 | about 970 |
| Ohio | $45,760 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers are classified under “Construction Laborers” (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitter
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-3015.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/47-3015.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY