Can a Plumber Be a Millionaire? Training Secrets and Real Numbers

Ask around and most people will tell you plumbers make a solid living—good, but nothing flashy. The million-dollar label? Most folks think that's just a wild story. Here's the thing: it's not just hype. Some plumbers actually hit millionaire status, and with the right training and moves, it's possible.

The secret sauce isn't just fixing pipes. It's knowing how to turn those repairs into a thriving business. If you picture your future with wrenches and invoices, you might want to look beyond hourly rates and simple jobs. Successful plumbers focus on specialized training, smart business habits, and building teams. You can start with learning the ropes in a training course, but the path doesn't stop there.

Why bother thinking big? Because the demand for plumbing never dies. People need hot showers, working toilets, and leak-free kitchens—whether times are good or bad. If you're ready to put in the work, the plumbing world actually has fewer limits than you'd think.

• What Plumbers Really Earn
• What Separates Millionaire Plumbers
• Boosting Income: Skills, Business, and Marketing
• Steps to Max Out Your Earnings

What Plumbers Really Earn

So, how much do plumbers actually take home? The number isn’t just some vague guess—it’s tracked by government stats. In the US, for example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the average plumber made about $60,000 in 2024. That’s the middle ground. Plumbers straight out of training usually earn less—think $35,000 to $45,000—in their first few years.

If you stick with it and get some experience, that income climbs. Experienced plumbers who work for established companies or go solo as licensed contractors can make $80,000 or more. If you add overtime (which happens a lot), or live in cities where plumbers are in high demand, pulling in over $100,000 isn’t odd at all.

But remember, that’s still just salary. How do plumbers push past these numbers? Running your own plumbing business is where things start to snowball. Some small company owners report profits of $200,000 to $400,000 per year if they have a solid customer base and a couple of employees. Those who scale up—adding vans, bigger teams, and maybe side services like heating—are the ones aiming for the plumber millionaire status.

Here’s what affects a plumber’s paycheck the most:

• Location: Big city plumbers almost always make more than those in rural areas, thanks to higher demand and bigger jobs.
• Specialty: If you handle commercial contracts or emergency repairs, you can bill clients more than those who just do basic home fixes.
• Licensing and union membership: Certified and union plumbers often have better access to bigger, higher-paid projects.
• Business ownership: Going from employee to boss opens doors to much higher earnings (and sometimes bigger headaches).

Earnings aren’t capped if you’re hustling, learning, and thinking ahead. But being smart about training and business is what separates an average income from a truly game-changing one.

What Separates Millionaire Plumbers

Here’s what most folks miss: a plumber running a one-man show rarely cracks seven figures. The real money comes when you level up from just fixing leaks to actually running the show—building a business where others work for you and the phone never stops ringing.

The plumbers who cross into millionaire territory treat their jobs less like gigs and more like companies. They invest in training beyond the basics, picking up business smarts (think accounting, marketing, and sales) along with technical skills. In a study from the National Association of Home Builders, plumbing firms often rank above $2 million in annual revenue once they scale up to employ five or more crews. That’s not just about working hard; it’s about working smart.

Want a real-world take? Here’s a quote from Tommy Mello, owner of A1 Garage Door Service, who’s seen many tradesmen go from hands-on work to business owners:

“If you’re still in the truck every day, you’re working your job—not building wealth. The money comes when you step back, hire the right people, and focus on growing your company.”

The millionaires in plumbing aren’t always the best at unclogging drains—they’re the best at turning calls into contracts and contracts into teams. They focus on things like:

• Building a strong local reputation—remember, word-of-mouth grows fast in home services.
• Upgrading skills with certifications in gas fitting, advanced water systems, or eco-friendly installs.
• Creating systems so their business runs even when they’re not on the tools.
• Leveraging digital marketing for a steady stream of leads.

The plumber millionaire blueprint: invest in people, think long-term, and never stop learning new tricks, both on the job and in the office.

Boosting Income: Skills, Business, and Marketing

Getting your hands dirty is just the start—real money comes from leveling up both your plumbing skills and how you run your business. The average plumber in the U.S. made around $63,000 a year in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but top business owners and specialists often bring in much more. What separates regular plumbers from those raking in serious cash?

First, advanced skills matter. Specializing, whether in heating systems, eco-friendly plumbing, or high-end remodels, lets you charge premium rates. In some cities, a certified backflow technician can earn double what a basic residential plumber nets. Keeping up with the newest building codes, tech, and tools—especially leak detection and trenchless repairs—makes you the go-to for tricky jobs.

If you want to move closer to that plumber millionaire status, you can't just be on the tools forever. Setting up your own company changes the game. You start taking on apprentices, bidding on bigger projects, and even running a fleet of vans instead of your own truck. Smart plumbers know this means learning about accounting, taxes, hiring, and customer service—the stuff most training courses don't teach.

Then comes marketing. You can't bank on word of mouth anymore; the biggest local firms dump serious cash into online ads and digital marketing. A good Google rating, a sharp-looking website, and prompt responses to online leads pull in high-paying jobs. Some plumbers spend up to $2,000 a month on Facebook and Google ads, often making back much more in booked work.

Here’s what Mike Agugliaro, cofounder of $30M-plus Gold Medal Service, says about it:

"You can fix toilets forever. But the real growth begins when you see yourself as a businessperson, not just a plumber. That’s when things explode."

If new tech or business skills feel overwhelming, start small. Take short courses on sales or marketing. Ask established pros for advice. Most millionaires in plumbing didn’t do it alone—they learned from others who’ve already made it big.

Steps to Max Out Your Earnings

If you’re eyeing that millionaire mark as a plumber, here’s the honest blueprint most high-earners in the trade actually follow. Forget luck. It’s about making smart, repeatable moves, starting with the basics and building up.

1. Master Your Skills Early: Quality work always pays off. The fastest-growing plumbing businesses train up on complex services like water heater installation, gas lines, and industrial piping. This means sticking with your training course until you ace every close-up job, not just basic fixes.
2. Get Licensed and Certified: Investing in professional licenses and extra certifications pays long-term. In the UK, Gas Safe registration is a must for most lucrative plumbing gigs. In the US and Australia, recognized state and specialty licenses help you command top rates.
3. Go Beyond Solo Work: Millionaire plumbers usually don’t work alone. They hire others, train apprentices, and scale up. Running a small team lets you take on big jobs you’d never manage by yourself. It’s a math thing—more hands, more bookings, more money.
4. Work Smarter With Pricing and Packages: High-earners don’t just charge by the hour. They create fixed-price packages for things like annual home plumbing inspections or same-day emergency services. People pay for speed and certainty, so nail quick response times and let your customer reviews drive your rates higher.
5. Don’t Ignore Marketing: A strong online presence changes the game. Real stats show plumbers with Google My Business profiles and good website reviews make up to 30% more. Get into local Facebook groups, keep your Google reviews fresh, and post before-and-after job photos.
6. Invest, Don’t Spend: Set aside cash for the right tools, software, and truck branding. The most successful plumbers put 10–20% of earnings back into their business every year for gear, online ads, or staff training. It feels like a hit now, but it compounds your gains later.
7. Track Every Dollar: Millionaire plumbers know their numbers down to the penny. Tracking profit, taxes, expenses, and repeat customer rates doesn’t just keep you legal—it tells you where you’re winning and where to fix leaks in your business finances.

None of these steps are complicated. But most struggling plumbers ignore half of them. Want to stand out? Pick one to start, put it into practice, then build from there. That’s how the guys you see with the biggest crews—and the flashiest vans—made it to seven figures.