Electrician vs Plumber: which pays more?
Electricians earn about $0 more per year than plumbers — roughly 0% higher at the national median. Here is how the two careers compare on pay, training, and outlook.
Electrician
$61,000
median per year
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes and businesses.
Full electrician salary data →Plumber
$61,000
median per year
Plumbers install and repair pipes that carry water, gas, and waste in homes and commercial buildings.
Full plumber salary data →Side-by-side breakdown
| Metric | Electrician | Plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $61,000 | $61,000 |
| Median hourly pay | $29 | $29 |
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $38,000 | $37,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $98,000 | $98,000 |
| Education required | High school diploma plus 4–5 year apprenticeship. | High school diploma plus 4–5 year apprenticeship; license required in most states. |
| Job outlook | 6% growth through 2033 — steady demand in construction and maintenance. | 2% growth through 2033 — steady demand for maintenance and construction. |
Pay by state
| State | Electrician | Plumber | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $88,000 | $88,000 | +$0 for Electrician |
| New York | $82,000 | $78,000 | +$4,000 for Electrician |
| Washington | $82,000 | $80,000 | +$2,000 for Electrician |
| California | $76,000 | $72,000 | +$4,000 for Electrician |
| Illinois | $76,000 | $82,000 | −$6,000 for Plumber |
| Ohio | $60,000 | $60,000 | +$0 for Electrician |
| Michigan | $58,000 | $58,000 | +$0 for Electrician |
| Texas | $56,000 | $54,000 | +$2,000 for Electrician |
| Florida | $48,000 | $48,000 | +$0 for Electrician |
Which career should you choose?
Pay is only one part of the decision. Electricians earn more on paper, but high school diploma plus 4–5 year apprenticeship. takes longer and costs more than high school diploma plus 4–5 year apprenticeship; license required in most states.. If you want to start earning sooner, plumber is usually the faster route. If long-term earning ceiling matters most, electrician tops out at $98,000 versus $98,000.
Job security also differs: electrician outlook is "6% growth through 2033 — steady demand in construction and maintenance." while plumber outlook is "2% growth through 2033 — steady demand for maintenance and construction."