Should I Be a Plumber or an Electrician? The Real Truth for 2025

Should I Be a Plumber or an Electrician? Let’s Break It Down—No Fluff

If you’re standing at a crossroads wondering, “Should I be a plumber or an electrician?”—you’re not alone. Thousands of young adults, career-changers, and even parents helping their kids weigh this exact question every year. Both trades offer stability, good pay, and the satisfaction of fixing real problems. But which one fits your lifestyle, skills, and goals?

The truth? There’s no “better” choice—only the right choice for you. And that’s what we’re here to uncover. No sales pitch. No guesswork. Just clear, data-backed facts—so you can decide with confidence.

How Much Can You Really Earn? Salary Comparison

Let’s start with the numbers—because money matters.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2024

At first glance, the pay is nearly identical. But here’s what you won’t see on the chart:

• Plumbers often earn more in rural areas or during emergencies (think 2 a.m. burst pipes). Overtime is common—and paid at 1.5x.
• Electricians frequently work on new construction projects, which can mean longer hours but also higher hourly rates in commercial settings.
• Both can become master tradespeople—and that’s where the real money kicks in. Master plumbers and electricians often earn $80,000–$110,000+, especially if they run their own businesses.

“I started as an apprentice making $15/hour. Five years later, I own a small plumbing company. Last year, I cleared $98,000. No college debt.”
— Mark R., licensed plumber, Ohio

How Long Does It Take to Get Started? Training & Apprenticeships

Neither career requires a 4-year degree. That’s the beauty of skilled trades.

Here’s the roadmap for both:

✅ Becoming a Plumber:

1. High school diploma or GED (required)
2. Apply for a 4–5 year apprenticeship (paid on-the-job training)
3. Complete 2,000–5,000 hours of field work + 100–200 classroom hours
4. Pass state licensing exam (varies by state)
5. Optional: Get certified in green plumbing, backflow prevention, or gas fitting

Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of a journeyman’s wage and work up to 100% over 4–5 years.

✅ Becoming an Electrician:

1. High school diploma or GED (required—math and physics help!)
2. Join a 4–5 year apprenticeship (often through IBEW or NECA)
3. Complete 2,000–5,000 hours of hands-on work + 144+ classroom hours
4. Pass state licensing exam (some states require separate exams for residential/commercial)
5. Optional: Specialize in solar, EV charging stations, or automation systems

💡 Fun fact: Electrician apprenticeships are often more structured and union-heavy. Plumbers have more independent pathways.

Time to Start Earning?
→ Both: You’ll start getting paid from Day 1 of your apprenticeship.
→ First full paycheck (journeyman level): ~4–5 years

What’s a Typical Day Like? Real-Life Scenarios

Let’s picture your average workday.

🚽 A Day in the Life of a Plumber

• 7:30 AM: Arrive at a 1980s home with a slow-draining kitchen sink.
• 9:00 AM: Diagnose a clogged vent pipe—not the drain. Fix it with a snake and camera inspection.
• 11:00 AM: Install a new water heater in a new build. Check local codes.
• 1:00 PM: Emergency call: Toilet overflowing in a daycare. Clean up, replace flange, test seal.
• 4:00 PM: Order parts for tomorrow’s job. Call client to confirm appointment.

You’ll get dirty. You’ll smell like sewer gas. But you’ll solve visible, tangible problems.

🔌 A Day in the Life of an Electrician

• 7:00 AM: Arrive at a new apartment complex. Pull 1,200 feet of Romex cable.
• 9:30 AM: Install GFCI outlets in bathrooms per NEC 2023 code.
• 12:00 PM: Troubleshoot flickering lights in a retail store. Find a loose neutral in the panel.
• 2:30 PM: Wire a commercial EV charger for a gas station.
• 5:00 PM: Review blueprints for next week’s solar panel installation.

You’ll work with wires, codes, and circuit breakers. Precision matters. One mistake can cause a fire.

“I’ve fixed a leaky pipe with duct tape and a clamp—and it held for 3 years. With electricity? One wrong wire, and you risk everything.”
— Lisa T., licensed electrician, Texas

Plumber vs Electrician: Pros & Cons at a Glance

Bottom Line:

• Choose plumbing if you don’t mind getting messy, love hands-on problem-solving, and want to work in homes.
• Choose electricity if you’re detail-oriented, enjoy tech trends, and want broader job options (including renewable energy).

Which Trade Has More Future-Proof Demand?

Let’s talk long-term.

The U.S. is facing a massive skilled labor shortage. According to Wikipedia’s overview of skilled trades , over 70% of contractors report difficulty hiring qualified workers.

Here’s why both careers are booming:

• Plumbing: Aging infrastructure. 40% of U.S. water pipes are over 50 years old (American Water Works Association). Replacements = steady work.
• Electricity: The Inflation Reduction Act (2022) poured $370 billion into clean energy. Solar installers, EV charger techs, and smart home electricians are in extreme demand.

“In 2025, electricians who know how to wire EV chargers will be booked 3–6 months out.”
— National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), 2024 Report

Winner? Tie.
Both are future-proof. But if you’re tech-savvy and love innovation, electrician gives you more pathways into emerging fields.

Which One Is Easier to Get Into?

Easy? Neither. But accessible? Absolutely.

Plumbing is slightly easier to enter without connections. Many apprenticeships accept applicants through local unions or trade schools. Some states even allow you to start as a helper without formal training.

Electrician roles—especially union ones (IBEW)—are more competitive. You often need to pass an aptitude test (math + reading) and go through a selection process.

Pro Tip:
If you’re unsure, start with a 6–12 week vocational course (like at a community college) in both fields. Many offer intro classes. See which one clicks.

FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

Q1: Can I switch from plumbing to electrical work later?

Yes—but not easily. Each trade requires its own licensing, apprenticeship, and exams. Many professionals do both after becoming licensed in one. But you’ll need to start over as an apprentice in the second trade.

Q2: Which trade is more physically demanding?

Both are tough—but differently. Plumbers lift heavy tanks, crawl in dirt, and work in wet conditions. Electricians climb ladders, carry conduit, and work overhead. If you hate heights, plumbing wins. If you hate mess, electrician wins.

Q3: Do I need to be good at math?

Plumbing: Basic math—measuring, angles, pipe sizing.
Electrician: Stronger math needed—Ohm’s Law, load calculations, circuit design. If you struggled with algebra, consider brushing up before electrician school.

Q4: Can I work for myself right away?

No. You must complete apprenticeship, get licensed, and usually work under a master for 2–5 years before starting your own business. But once licensed? Both trades offer excellent path to entrepreneurship.

Q5: Is there a gender gap in these trades?

Yes—but changing fast. In 2023, only 9% of plumbers and 10% of electricians were women (BLS). But programs like “Women in Trades” are growing rapidly. If you’re a woman considering this path: you’re needed.

Q6: What’s the worst part of each job?

Plumber: Smelly, messy emergencies at 2 a.m.
Electrician: High-stakes pressure. One mistake can cause a house fire.
Both: Working weekends, holidays, and being on call.

Final Verdict: So… Should You Be a Plumber or an Electrician?

Here’s the simple decision tree:

✅ Choose Plumbing If You…

• Love solving visible, physical problems
• Don’t mind getting dirty (and occasionally smelly)
• Want to work mostly in homes
• Prefer tools you can see and touch
• Are okay with emergency calls at midnight

✅ Choose Electrical Work If You…

• Enjoy logic, systems, and tech
• Want to work on solar, EVs, or smart homes
• Are detail-oriented and precise
• Want more variety in work sites (factories, hospitals, data centers)
• Don’t mind higher risk—but take safety seriously

Both are excellent careers.
You’ll earn a living wage without student debt.
You’ll never be outsourced.
And you’ll always have work—even in a recession.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If this article helped you move from “I’m confused” to “I’m ready,” you’re already ahead of 90% of people asking this question.

👉 Share this with a friend who’s stuck—maybe they’re wondering the same thing.
👉 Tag someone on Instagram or Facebook who’s thinking about a trade career.
👉 Comment below: “Plumber or electrician?”—and tell us why. We read every reply.

Your future doesn’t need a college degree. It just needs your hands, your focus, and the courage to start.

The tools are waiting. Which one will you pick first?