Originally published June 19, 2020. Updated November 5, 2026.
Plumbing is one of the biggest and steadiest trades in the country. It is a $200 billion industry that does not depend on storms or new construction booms, because pipes fail and water heaters die every day.
Here are the plumbing industry statistics that matter in 2026, each with its source, plus what we would do with them if we ran your marketing.
The short answer
The US plumbing industry is worth about $208.1 billion in 2026, after growing 4.9% a year since 2021 (IBISWorld). There are 510,600 plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earning a median $63,800, with about 42,000 openings a year (BLS). Household leaks alone waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water a year (EPA).
- Plumber jobs projected to grow 7% through 2035
- The average home’s leaks waste 9,300+ gallons a year
- 97% of homeowners read reviews before choosing
Updated November 2026. New numbers up top. Older stats live in the historical section below, unchanged, so existing links and citations still work.
2026 plumbing industry statistics: the key numbers
Plumbing industry size
- $208.1 billion is the size of the US plumbing industry in 2026, up 0.5%. It grew 4.9% a year from 2021 to 2026. (IBISWorld, 2026)
- $517 billion is what US homeowners spent on improvements and repairs over the four quarters ending Q2 2026, with growth expected to slow to 0.5% by mid 2027. (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, LIRA, 2026)
Plumbing jobs and pay
- 510,600 people work as plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in the US. (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025 data)
- $63,800 is the median annual pay ($30.67 an hour), higher than HVAC techs ($61,010) and roofers ($55,440). (BLS, May 2025)
- 7% job growth is projected from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, adding about 34,500 jobs. (BLS)
- 42,000 plumbing job openings are expected each year over the decade. (BLS)
Leaks and water waste
- ~1 trillion gallons of water are wasted by household leaks in the US each year, equal to the water used by 11 million homes. (EPA WaterSense)
- 9,300+ gallons a year are lost to leaks in the average home. (EPA WaterSense)
- 9% of homes have leaks wasting 50 gallons or more a day. (EPA WaterSense)
How homeowners find a plumber
- 84% of consumers searched for a local business in the past three months, and 73% of local searches start on a phone. (BrightLocal, 2026)
- 28% decide which local business to use in under 5 minutes. 75% decide in under 30. (BrightLocal, 2026)
- 97% read reviews, and 68% will only use a business rated 4 stars or higher. (BrightLocal LCRS, 2026)
- 45% now use ChatGPT or other AI tools for local recommendations, up from 6%. (BrightLocal LCRS, 2026)
What these numbers mean for plumbing companies
We run marketing for plumbing companies. Here is how we read this:
- Emergency calls are decided in minutes. More than a quarter of people pick in under five minutes. Be in the map pack, answer live, and say “24/7” only if you mean it.
- Repair work is steady, remodel work is slowing. Home improvement spending is flattening into 2027. Lean on service, drain, water heater and leak work in your ads and service pages.
- Reviews are the filter. Two thirds of people will not call a plumber under 4 stars. Ask on every job.
- Hiring is growth. 42,000 openings a year. Your recruiting page is part of your marketing.
Plumbing demand is not going away. The shops that grow are the ones that own their local search and pick up the phone.
- Leads from Google, Maps and AI search
- Nobody else is buying the same lead
- You own your website and ad accounts
“Hook Agency has been an incredible partner for our digital marketing growth.”
Kristin Sullivan, Bob’s ACFocused on the map? See Google Maps SEO
Historical plumbing industry statistics (original edition)
Everything below is from the earlier edition of this page, kept as is because many sites link to these numbers. Several figures are older, so check the original source date before citing.
The plumbing industry is a great place to work. Sure, your work might get a little wet at times, but there’s always going to be a greater need for plumbers who can get the job done right.
Today, we’re giving you # plumbing industry statistics. There’s plenty to learn and reflect on, and these statistics might even cause you to consider working in the plumbing industry.
Let’s dive in and see what’s happening within the plumbing industry.
Plumbing Industry Statistics
- Plumbers have seen an average industry growth of 2.5% over the last 5 years. (Source)
- The United States plumbing industry has a market cap of 106 billion dollars. (Source)
- There are roughly 120,467 plumbing businesses in the U.S. (Source)
- 516,582 plumbers are currently employed within the industry. (Source)
- A standard house can have a small leak that lets out over 10,000 gallons of water a year. (Source)
- The average person in the U.S. uses roughly 90 gallons of water each day. (Source)
- A leaking toilet can waste 200 gallons of water every day. (Source)
- Turning off the water while brushing your teeth can save 200 gallons of water a year. (Source)
- Having a professional plumber find leaks can save on average 10 gallons of water a day. (Source)
- In 2015 plumbers were making an average of $50,620 per year. (Source)
- Only 4% of U.S. maintenance workers are women. (Source)
- The U.S. Department of Labor provided 1.5 million in grant funding to Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations. (Source)
- 86% of consumers read reviews of local businesses before choosing to work with them. (Source)
- No individual plumbing company accounts for more than 1% of the market. (Source)
- More than half of the U.S. Trade workers are near retiring age. (Source)
- 757 billion gallons of water have been saved in the U.S. from installing High Effeicny Toilets. (Source)
- 1.4 million children die every year, 1 child every 20 seconds, from diarrhea caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. (Source)
- 77% actually wash their hands after using a public restroom. (Source)
World Wide Stats
- 98% of the earth’s water is unfit for human consumption. (Source)
- Agriculture accounts for 70% of water use worldwide. (Source)
- Only 50% of the world’s population has access to piped drinking water. (Source)
We hope you’ve enjoyed these great plumbing industry statistics! We’re a digital marketing agency that helps plumbing companies great competitive SEO and digital marketing campaigns that bring you more leads. Reach out to us today to get started. We’d love to talk with you about the important things you could be doing to get more results for your business today!
How to cite this page
Hook Agency, “Plumbing Industry Statistics (2026),” hookagency.com/blog/plumbing-industry-statistics/, updated November 2026. For any single number, please cite the original source linked next to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the plumbing industry in 2026?
The US plumbing industry is worth about $208.1 billion in 2026, according to IBISWorld.
How much do plumbers make?
The median pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters was $63,800 a year in May 2025, per the BLS.
Is there a shortage of plumbers?
Demand is strong. The BLS projects 7% job growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 42,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or leave.
How much water do household leaks waste?
The EPA estimates household leaks waste nearly 1 trillion gallons a year nationwide, and more than 9,300 gallons a year in the average home.
How do homeowners find a plumber?
Mostly on Google and on their phone. 73% of local searches start on mobile and 75% of people choose a business in under 30 minutes (BrightLocal, 2026).
