Owning a plumbing business can be very profitable since plumbers are always in demand.
How much you earn depends on your skills, discipline, and location.
On average, plumbing company owners in the U.S. make between $63,000 and $85,000 per year, but earnings can vary widely.
In high-demand areas like Southern California and the East Coast, business owners in major cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York can earn anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 or more annually.
Owners of multi-truck operations in high-demand areas can potentially earn $300,000+ annually if their business is successful.
Even apprentice plumbers in large towns on the West Coast and Southwest are pulling in $48,000 – $60,000 salaries with journeymen making upwards of $80,000 – $100,000 per year plus bonuses.
I personally know a few owners locally here in So Cal that we work with here at Service Mammoth who are making between $250,000 to $350,000 a year running 10-15 man crews.
The reason that plumbers make more money in this region is because the cities are more densely populated, which means more potential customers.
The cost of living is also higher, so services can be priced higher and there are many wealthy areas where people are willing to pay more for quality work.
States like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon are seeing a lot of growth, which can be good news for plumbing company owners. Colorado has seen rapid growth in recent years, which likely means more opportunities for plumbing businesses.
Moving to the heart of America, we find that plumbing company owners in the Midwest might not make as much as their California counterparts, but they still do pretty well.
In this region, owners typically make a lower income average of $40,000 – $90,000 because the cities are smaller and there are few plumbing jobs to go around so people are uncustomed to paying less.
While this might seem lower, it’s important to remember that the cost of living in the Midwest is often much lower than in California.
This means that $52,000 can go a lot further in terms of buying a house or paying for everyday expenses.
A smaller overhead with less jobs will often lead to less stress so remember, money isn’t everything.
What Affects a Plumbing Business Owner’s Salary?
No matter where a plumbing company is located, there are several factors that can affect how much the owner makes:
Business Size:
- Solo operators earn less ($50,000–$80,000) but have lower costs.
- Companies with 5+ employees can make $100,000–$250,000.
Location & Local Economy:
If the location is a larder city and the local economy is strong and people have more money to spend, plumbing companies often do better.
Business skills:
Owners who are good at managing money, marketing their business, and keeping customers happy tend to be more successful.
Specialization:
- Commercial plumbing (office buildings, factories) pays more than residential work.
- Emergency services (like fixing burst pipes) charge higher rates, boosting profits.
Experience:
New business owners might earn $40,000–$60,000, while those with 10+ years can make $100,000+.
If you’re thinking about starting a plumbing company, or if you’re just curious about what your local plumber might be making, now you have a better idea of what to expect.
Remember, these are just averages and estimates.
With hard work, good business skills, and a bit of luck, plumbing company owners in any part of the country have the potential to build successful, profitable businesses.