Plumber vs Lineworker

Plumber and Lineworker are both infrastructure careers, but they operate on completely different systems.

Plumbers install, maintain, and repair piping systems that carry water, waste, gas, and other fluids through homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Lineworkers install and repair the overhead and underground electrical infrastructure that carries power through utility distribution and transmission systems.

For federal occupational data, CareerInTrades uses:

• Plumber: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — SOC 47-2152.
• Lineworker: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers — SOC 49-9051.

Important data note: BLS does not publish a separate national SOC for Plumber. The national wage, employment, growth, and annual-opening figures used here for Plumber represent the combined Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters category and should not be interpreted as Plumber-only statistics.

The central difference is:

Plumbers maintain piping systems inside and around buildings. Lineworkers maintain the electrical grid outside buildings, where high-voltage exposure, climbing, storm response, and utility reliability are central parts of the job.

Plumber vs Lineworker: Quick Comparison

Comparison Factor	Plumber	Lineworker	Why It Matters
Federal SOC	47-2152 — combined with Pipefitters and Steamfitters	49-9051	Plumber national data represent a broader piping-trades category; Lineworker has a dedicated federal occupation.
Primary Work	Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair piping, fixtures, drainage, water, and gas systems	Install and repair power lines, poles, conductors, and utility distribution equipment	Plumber works on building systems; Lineworker works on electrical-grid infrastructure.
Median Annual Wage, May 2024	$62,970*	$92,560	Lineworker leads by about $29,590 per year.
Approximate Median Hourly Wage	$30.27*	$44.50	The hourly difference is about $14.23.
Employment, 2024	504,500*	127,400	The combined plumbing category is almost four times larger.
Projected Employment, 2034	527,200*	135,800	The plumbing category remains much larger.
Projected Growth, 2024–2034	About 5%*	7%	Lineworker has the faster percentage-growth rate.
Projected Net New Jobs	About +22,700*	About +8,400	The plumbing category adds more jobs numerically because it starts from a much larger base.
Average Annual Openings	About 44,000*	About 10,700	The plumbing category offers roughly four times as many annual openings.
Typical Entry Education	High school diploma or equivalent	High school diploma or equivalent	Neither normally requires a four-year degree.
Typical Training	Apprenticeship, commonly 4–5 years	Technical instruction plus extensive on-the-job training; apprenticeships are common	Both are structured trades, but Lineworker training is more specialized around utility and high-voltage systems.
Main Career Advantage	Larger labor market, recurring service demand, licensing and contracting path	Much higher employee pay, utility-sector specialization, grid infrastructure demand	The real tradeoff is accessibility and business flexibility versus compensation and specialized utility work.

*Plumber figures use SOC 47-2152, which combines Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

What Is the Main Difference Between a Plumber and a Lineworker?

Career Question	Plumber	Lineworker
What system is being worked on?	Water, drainage, gas, waste, and other piping systems	Electrical transmission and distribution systems
Main Workplace	Homes, commercial buildings, construction sites, mechanical rooms	Utility poles, rights-of-way, transmission systems, distribution networks
High-Voltage Exposure	Low	Core occupational hazard
Working at Height	Occasional	Very common
Emergency Service	Common for leaks, burst pipes, drains, and water-heater failures	Common during outages and storm restoration
Customer Interaction	Very common in residential service	Usually limited
Building Code Knowledge	Critical	Utility procedures and high-voltage safety rules are more central
Small-Business Accessibility	Very strong	Much lower
Storm Response	Rare	Major responsibility for many crews

What Does a Plumber Actually Do?

O*NET defines Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as workers who assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids and gases.

O*NET 2026 reported job titles include:

• Plumber
• Residential Plumber
• Service Plumber
• Plumbing Installer
• Drain Technician
• Pipefitter
• Steamfitter
• Sprinkler Fitter

Typical Plumber work may include:

• Installing water-supply lines
• Installing drainage systems
• Installing fixtures
• Repairing leaks
• Replacing valves and piping
• Installing and servicing water heaters
• Testing piping systems
• Diagnosing drainage and flow problems
• Reading plans and specifications
• Responding to emergency service calls

Plumbing Is Both a Construction and Service Career

New construction creates plumbing work, but the occupation’s long-term strength also comes from the huge installed base of existing buildings.

Homes and commercial properties continually need:

• Leak repairs
• Drain service
• Fixture replacement
• Water-heater replacement
• Pipe replacement
• Remodeling
• Commercial maintenance

That makes plumbing less dependent on new construction alone.

What Does a Lineworker Actually Do?

O*NET defines Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers as workers who install or repair cables and wires used in electrical power or distribution systems and who may erect poles or transmission towers.

O*NET 2026 reported job titles include:

• Electrical Lineworker
• Lineworker
• Power Lineman
• Electrical Lineman
• Power Lineman Technician
• Troubleman
• Service Man

Typical work may include:

• Installing overhead conductors
• Repairing damaged power lines
• Installing utility poles
• Working on distribution equipment
• Inspecting lines and related systems
• Locating electrical faults
• Climbing poles or using bucket trucks
• Replacing damaged components
• Restoring electrical service after storms

Linework Is a Grid-Reliability Career

A Lineworker’s role is not simply electrical construction.

The occupation is closely tied to keeping utility infrastructure operating.

A failed line can interrupt power to:

• Homes
• Businesses
• Hospitals
• Industrial facilities
• Public infrastructure

That creates a level of emergency-response responsibility that normal plumbing construction work does not have.

Building Piping vs Utility Power Infrastructure

Skill Area	Plumber	Lineworker
Piping Installation	Critical	Not relevant
Drainage Diagnosis	Critical	Not relevant
Electrical Theory	Limited	Critical
High-Voltage Safety	Not central	Critical
Building Code Compliance	Critical	Less central than utility standards and high-voltage procedures
Pole / Aerial Work	Rare	Critical in many roles
Troubleshooting	Critical	Critical
Emergency Response	Common in service plumbing	Core part of outage restoration
Customer-Facing Service	Very common	Limited

Salary Comparison: Plumber vs Lineworker

Lineworker has a major wage advantage.

Pay Measure	Plumber	Lineworker	Interpretation
Median Annual Wage, May 2024	$62,970*	$92,560	Lineworker leads by about $29,590.
Median Hourly Wage	$30.27*	$44.50	The hourly gap is approximately $14.23.
10th Percentile	Below $40,670*	Below $50,020	Lineworker also has the higher lower-end national wage.
90th Percentile	Above $105,150*	Above $126,610	Both can reach six figures, but Lineworker has the higher upper-end wage.

*Plumber wage figures represent the combined Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters occupation.

Why Lineworker Pay Is So Much Higher

The wage premium reflects the combination of specialized utility training, high-voltage exposure, climbing, emergency response, and responsibility for critical infrastructure.

Lineworker compensation is influenced by:

• High-voltage electrical hazards
• Working at height
• Specialized apprenticeship training
• Storm restoration
• Overtime
• Emergency callouts
• Travel to damaged utility systems
• Responsibility for grid reliability

BLS May 2024 industry medians show how strong Lineworker compensation can be:

Lineworker Industry	Median Annual Wage, May 2024
Federal Government	$104,540
Utilities	$102,050
Local Government, excluding education and hospitals	$87,550
Specialty Trade Contractors	$76,290
Utility System Construction	$74,550

Why Plumbing Still Has Strong Earnings Potential

The combined $62,970 national median should not be treated as the earnings ceiling for an experienced Plumber.

Higher-value plumbing work can include:

• Commercial service
• Industrial piping
• Emergency service
• Specialty gas work where permitted
• Water-heating systems
• Foreman roles
• Plumbing contracting

However, the federal upper-end wage figure above $105,000 also includes Pipefitters and Steamfitters, so it would be inaccurate to attribute all of that upper-end pay specifically to ordinary residential Plumbers.

Job Outlook: Plumber vs Lineworker

Labor-Market Measure	Plumber	Lineworker	Interpretation
Employment, 2024	504,500*	127,400	The combined plumbing category is almost four times larger.
Projected Employment, 2034	527,200*	135,800	The plumbing category remains much larger.
Projected Growth	About 5%*	7%	Lineworker has the stronger percentage-growth rate.
Net New Jobs	About +22,700*	About +8,400	Plumbing adds more jobs because of its larger employment base.
Average Annual Openings	About 44,000*	About 10,700	The plumbing category offers roughly four times as many openings.

*Plumber figures represent SOC 47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Why Plumber Has More Annual Openings

The combined plumbing occupation begins from a much larger employment base and serves an enormous installed stock of buildings and piping systems.

Demand comes from:

• New construction
• Building renovation
• Repair
• Commercial maintenance
• Drainage service
• Water-heater replacement
• Pipe replacement

Replacement demand also creates many openings as existing workers retire or leave the occupation.

Why Lineworker Has the Faster Growth Rate

BLS projects Lineworker employment to grow about 7% from 2024 to 2034.

Demand is supported by:

• Maintenance of existing electrical-grid infrastructure
• New housing and business connections
• Grid modernization
• Electric-vehicle grid connections
• Expansion of transmission and distribution systems
• Storm-related repair and replacement

The key point is that Lineworker is a faster-growing percentage occupation, but Plumber offers many more absolute openings because the plumbing labor market is much larger.

Which Career Has the Stronger Labor-Market Position?

Career Question	Advantage	Why
Higher National Median Wage	Lineworker	$92,560 versus $62,970 for the combined plumbing category.
Faster Projected Growth	Lineworker	7% versus about 5%.
More Net New Jobs	Plumbing category	About +22,700 versus +8,400.
More Annual Openings	Plumbing category	About 44,000 versus 10,700.
Larger National Labor Market	Plumbing category	504,500 jobs versus 127,400.
Higher-Paying Employee Career	Lineworker	The median pay advantage is nearly $30,000.
Recurring Local Service Demand	Plumber	Existing buildings continually require plumbing repair and replacement.
Utility / Grid Specialization	Lineworker	Distribution and transmission infrastructure are the occupation’s core market.
Small-Business Accessibility	Plumber	Residential and commercial plumbing service can support local contracting businesses.

Training Requirements: Plumber vs Lineworker

Training Factor	Plumber	Lineworker	Why It Matters
Typical Entry Education	High school diploma or equivalent	High school diploma or equivalent	Neither normally requires a bachelor’s degree.
Apprenticeship	Primary training route	Common and highly valuable	Both rely heavily on structured field training.
Typical Apprenticeship Length	Commonly 4–5 years	Program length varies by apprenticeship sponsor and utility	Both are long-term skill-development careers rather than quick-entry occupations.
Code Training	Critical	Utility procedures and safety standards are more central	The regulatory knowledge base is different.
High-Voltage Training	Not central	Critical	This is a defining Lineworker skill.
Pole / Aerial Training	Rare	Critical in many positions	Lineworker requires additional physical and safety competency.
Customer-Service Skills	Important in residential service	Less central	Plumber is generally the more customer-facing occupation.

How to Become a Plumber

BLS reports that most Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters learn through apprenticeship.

A typical pathway is:

1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Enter a Registered Apprenticeship or contractor-sponsored program.
3. Learn pipe measurement, layout, cutting, and joining.
4. Learn water-supply and drainage systems.
5. Study plumbing codes and safety.
6. Complete classroom instruction and paid on-the-job training.
7. Develop service and troubleshooting ability.
8. Meet state or local licensing requirements where applicable.
9. Advance toward journey-level, supervisory, or contractor roles.

BLS notes that apprenticeships commonly last 4 to 5 years and typically include about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training per year.

How to Become a Lineworker

Lineworkers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent followed by technical instruction and extensive on-the-job training.

Apprenticeships are common.

A typical pathway may include:

1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Enter a utility, contractor, technical-school, or apprenticeship program.
3. Learn electrical theory.
4. Learn high-voltage safety procedures.
5. Learn pole climbing and aerial work.
6. Learn distribution and line-construction procedures.
7. Work under experienced Lineworkers.
8. Develop fault-location and outage-restoration skills.
9. Advance toward journey-level, troubleman, crew-leader, or supervisory work.

Which Career Is Easier to Enter?

Plumber is easier to enter from a national labor-market standpoint.

The difference in projected annual openings is substantial:

• Plumbing category: about 44,000 annual openings.
• Lineworker: about 10,700 annual openings.

Plumbing also exists in virtually every residential and commercial market.

Lineworker opportunities are more concentrated among utilities, utility contractors, and specialized infrastructure employers.

The practical tradeoff is:

Plumber offers broader access to apprenticeships, service employers, and local markets. Lineworker offers much stronger employee compensation once a worker successfully enters and progresses through the specialized training pathway.

Licensing and Certification

Credential Factor	Plumber	Lineworker
Universal Federal Employee License	No	No
State / Local Individual Licensing	Common; BLS notes most states require Plumbers to be licensed	Depends heavily on jurisdiction, utility, employer, and work scope
Apprenticeship	Primary pathway	Common
Contractor Licensing	Important for independent plumbing businesses	Relevant to companies performing regulated electrical contracting
Employer Qualification	Important	Critical for high-voltage utility work

Plumbing Contractor Licensing Example: California

California’s Contractors State License Board maintains the C-36 Plumbing Contractor classification.

Its official scope includes systems involving:

• Safe water supply
• Fluid-waste disposal
• Water and gas piping
• Storage tanks
• Water-heating equipment
• Maintenance and replacement of covered plumbing systems

C-36 is a contractor classification.

It should not be interpreted as meaning that every employee Plumber in California personally holds a C-36 contractor license.

Lineworker Regulation Example: California

California’s C-10 Electrical Contractor classification covers contractors who place, install, erect, or connect electrical wires, apparatus, raceways, conduits, and other equipment that generate, transmit, transform, or use electrical energy.

The C-10 scope can therefore be relevant to companies performing electrical infrastructure work.

However, C-10 is a contractor classification, not an individual Lineworker license.

Individual Lineworkers may instead be governed by:

• Utility qualification procedures
• Employer training requirements
• Apprenticeship standards
• High-voltage safety rules
• Project-specific work requirements

This distinction is important because building-electrician licensing and utility-line qualification are not interchangeable.

Work Environment: Plumber vs Lineworker

The two careers differ sharply in workplace, schedule, exposure, and emergency responsibility.

Work Environment Factor	Plumber	Lineworker	Why It Matters
Primary Workplace	Homes, commercial buildings, construction sites, mechanical rooms, service locations	Utility poles, rights-of-way, transmission corridors, roadsides, distribution systems	Plumber is building- and customer-centered; Lineworker is utility-infrastructure centered.
Indoor Work	Very common	Limited	Plumber generally has much more indoor-work opportunity.
Outdoor Work	Common on construction projects	Very common	Lineworkers face much greater continuous weather exposure.
Working at Height	Occasional	Core occupational demand	Lineworkers frequently work from poles, bucket trucks, and elevated structures.
Customer Interaction	Very common in residential service	Usually limited	Plumber is the more customer-facing career.
Storm Response	Rare	Important for many utility crews	Lineworker schedules can become highly unpredictable after outages.

Plumber Work Environment

Plumbers may work in:

• Homes
• Apartment buildings
• Commercial buildings
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Mechanical rooms
• Crawlspaces
• Construction sites

Service Plumbers may move between multiple customer locations in one day, while construction Plumbers may remain on the same project for weeks or months.

Lineworker Work Environment

Lineworkers commonly work around:

• Utility poles
• Overhead conductors
• Underground distribution systems
• Transmission corridors
• Roadside utility infrastructure
• Storm-damaged areas
• Bucket trucks
• High-voltage equipment

BLS notes that power-line installers and repairers may work more than 40 hours per week and may travel to storm-damaged areas to restore electrical service.

Schedule and Overtime

Schedule Factor	Plumber	Lineworker
Standard Day Shift	Very common	Very common
Evening / Weekend Work	Common in service plumbing	Common during outages and emergency restoration
On-Call Duty	Common for some service Plumbers	Common in some utility roles
Emergency Work	Leaks, burst pipes, drain failures, water-heater failures	Power outages, storm damage, failed distribution equipment
Extended Travel	Usually limited	Possible during major regional storm restoration
Overtime Potential	Strong in emergency and service work	Strong during outage restoration

Both Careers Have Emergency Demand, but the Lifestyle Is Different

Plumbing emergencies are usually localized.

A Plumber may respond to:

• Burst pipes
• Major leaks
• Drain backups
• Water-heater failures
• Loss of water service

Lineworker emergencies can affect entire neighborhoods or communities.

After storms or equipment failures, crews may work extended shifts to restore power.

That makes Lineworker the more demanding career in terms of emergency schedule disruption and possible travel.

Physical Demands

Physical Demand	Plumber	Lineworker
Standing	Very common	Very common
Kneeling / Crouching	Very common	Moderate
Heavy Lifting	Common	Common
Working in Tight Spaces	Very common	Lower
Climbing	Low	Critical
Working at Height	Occasional	Very common
Weather Exposure	Moderate	High

Safety Risks

Plumber Safety Risks

• Slips and falls
• Heavy lifting
• Hot water and hot surfaces
• Gas-piping hazards
• Exposure to sewage or contaminated water
• Sharp tools and materials
• Confined-space exposure

Lineworker Safety Risks

• High-voltage electrical shock
• Arc-flash exposure
• Falls from poles or aerial equipment
• Traffic exposure
• Storm conditions
• Falling trees or damaged utility structures
• Heavy equipment and bucket-truck hazards

Safety Comparison

Risk Type	Plumber	Lineworker
Electrical Hazard	Low to moderate depending on work environment	Core occupational hazard
Fall / Height Exposure	Lower	Major occupational factor
Contaminated-Water Exposure	Important	Low
Storm Exposure	Low	Important
Traffic Exposure	Low	Important during roadside utility work
Confined-Space Work	More common	Lower

Technology and Automation

Technology is changing both careers, but neither is easily automated end to end.

Technology in Plumbing

Modern Plumbers increasingly use:

• Digital inspection cameras
• Electronic leak detection
• Press-connect systems
• Smart leak sensors
• Electronic water controls
• High-efficiency water-heating equipment

These technologies improve diagnosis and installation speed, but technicians still need to work inside real buildings with irregular layouts, prior repairs, hidden piping, and access constraints.

Technology in Linework

Lineworkers increasingly encounter:

• Smart-grid equipment
• Automated switching
• Digital fault-location systems
• Grid sensors
• Remote monitoring
• Advanced aerial equipment
• Drone-assisted inspection

These tools can identify faults faster, but crews still need to physically repair conductors, poles, connections, and damaged equipment.

Which Career Is More Resistant to Automation?

Both are relatively resistant to full automation.

Plumbing is difficult to automate because service work occurs in existing buildings with:

• Different layouts
• Hidden piping
• Corrosion
• Prior modifications
• Access problems
• Unexpected failures

Linework is difficult to automate because outage restoration involves:

• Damaged infrastructure
• Variable terrain
• Storm debris
• High-voltage safety decisions
• Physical replacement of utility equipment

Technology is more likely to improve diagnosis and productivity than eliminate either occupation.

Best Long-Term Skill Strategy

Career	Best Long-Term Skill Strategy
Plumber	Develop service diagnostics, commercial plumbing, water-heating systems, gas piping where permitted, code expertise, remodeling, and business skills.
Lineworker	Develop strong distribution and transmission skills, high-voltage safety expertise, fault troubleshooting, storm-restoration experience, and crew leadership.

Career Advancement

Career Stage	Plumber	Lineworker
Entry	Plumber Apprentice / Helper	Lineworker Trainee / Apprentice
Experienced Worker	Journey-Level Plumber	Journey-Level Lineworker
Specialist	Service, Commercial, Water-Heating, Specialty Plumbing	Troubleman, Distribution Specialist, Transmission Lineworker
Leadership	Lead Plumber / Foreman	Crew Leader / Foreman
Management	Plumbing Supervisor / Project Manager	Utility Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
Business Ownership	Plumbing Service / Contracting Business	Utility / Line Contracting Business, with much higher barriers

Which Career Has the Stronger Advancement Path?

Lineworker has the stronger employee-income progression.

A Lineworker can move toward:

• Journey-level work
• Distribution specialization
• Transmission work
• Troubleshooting
• Crew leadership
• Utility supervision

Plumber has the stronger employee-to-business-owner progression.

A Plumber can move toward:

• Service specialization
• Commercial plumbing
• Lead work
• Foreman roles
• Estimating
• Contracting
• Local business ownership

The practical distinction is:

Lineworker offers the stronger high-paying employee ladder. Plumber offers more flexibility to turn trade skill into a local service and contracting business.

Business Ownership: Plumbing vs Line Contracting

Plumbing Business

A plumbing business can generate revenue from:

• Emergency service
• Leak repair
• Drain service
• Fixture replacement
• Water-heater replacement
• Remodeling
• Commercial maintenance

The advantage is the size and frequency of the local customer market.

Homes and commercial properties require plumbing repair repeatedly throughout their useful lives.

Line Contracting Business

Building a utility-line contracting company is much more difficult.

A line contractor may need:

• Bucket trucks
• Digger derricks
• Specialized line equipment
• Qualified high-voltage crews
• Extensive insurance
• Safety programs
• Utility or infrastructure contracts
• Applicable contractor licensing

That makes Lineworker especially attractive as an employee career but much less accessible as a small startup business.

Business Ownership Comparison

Business Factor	Plumber	Lineworker
Startup Capital	Moderate	Very high
Ease of Starting Small	Strong after licensing requirements are met	Low
Residential Customer Market	Very strong	Minimal
Recurring Service Revenue	Very strong	Strong but concentrated in utility and infrastructure contracts
Equipment Capital Requirement	Moderate	Very high
Regulatory / Safety Barrier	Moderate to high	Very high
Small-Business Accessibility	High	Low

Who Should Choose Plumber?

Plumber may be the better choice if you:

• Want substantially more annual job openings.
• Prefer building systems to utility infrastructure.
• Want a strong residential and commercial service market.
• Want a formal apprenticeship and licensing path.
• Are comfortable with customer-facing work.
• Want a realistic route toward local business ownership.
• Prefer less storm travel and high-voltage exposure.

Who Should Choose Lineworker?

Lineworker may be the better choice if you:

• Want substantially higher employee pay.
• Are comfortable with high-voltage utility work.
• Can handle working at height.
• Are willing to work long hours after storms and outages.
• Want a specialized electrical-grid career.
• Prefer less residential customer interaction.
• Are comfortable entering a smaller and more selective apprenticeship market.

Career Decision Matrix

Career Priority	Better Choice	Why
Higher National Median Wage	Lineworker	$92,560 versus $62,970 for the combined plumbing category.
Faster Projected Growth	Lineworker	7% versus about 5% from 2024 to 2034.
More Net New Jobs	Plumbing category	About +22,700 versus +8,400.
More Annual Openings	Plumbing category	About 44,000 versus 10,700.
Larger National Labor Market	Plumbing category	504,500 jobs versus 127,400.
Higher-Paying Employee Career	Lineworker	The median pay difference is about $29,590.
Easier Labor-Market Entry	Plumber	There are far more annual openings and more local employers.
Lower Electrical Risk	Plumber	High-voltage exposure is not a defining part of plumbing.
Lower Storm / Travel Demand	Plumber	Plumbing emergencies are generally local rather than regional grid-restoration events.
Utility Infrastructure Career	Lineworker	Transmission and distribution systems are the occupation’s core specialty.
Small-Business Accessibility	Plumber	Residential and commercial service supports a much more accessible local contracting model.
Utility-Sector Income Upside	Lineworker	BLS May 2024 utility-industry median pay exceeded $100,000.

Final Verdict: Plumber vs Lineworker

This comparison is a direct tradeoff between career accessibility and business flexibility versus employee compensation and utility specialization.

Using BLS May 2024 wage data:

• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters median: $62,970
• Lineworker median: $92,560

Lineworker leads by approximately $29,590 per year.

That is a large wage premium.

But labor-market access moves strongly in the opposite direction:

• Plumbing category: 504,500 jobs and about 44,000 annual openings.
• Lineworker: 127,400 jobs and about 10,700 annual openings.

The plumbing category therefore offers roughly four times as many annual openings.

The growth comparison is more favorable to Lineworker:

• Plumbing category: about 5% growth from 2024 to 2034.
• Lineworker: 7% growth.

For someone who successfully enters a Lineworker apprenticeship and is comfortable with the work, Lineworker is the stronger employee-income career.

Its advantages include:

• A national median wage nearly $30,000 higher
• Strong utility-sector compensation
• Faster projected percentage growth
• Specialized high-voltage skills
• Long-term grid maintenance and modernization demand

But the higher pay comes with:

• A much smaller occupational market
• Fewer apprenticeship openings
• High-voltage exposure
• Working at height
• Storm restoration
• Possible long emergency shifts and regional travel

Plumber offers a different kind of long-term strength.

Its advantages include:

• Far more annual openings
• Broad geographic availability
• Recurring service demand from existing buildings
• A formal apprenticeship and licensing structure
• A realistic residential and commercial contracting path
• Much easier small-business entry than utility-line contracting

There is also an important data limitation:

The federal Plumber figures on this page include Pipefitters and Steamfitters. They should therefore be used to understand the national piping-trades market rather than interpreted as exact Plumber-only statistics.

If your priority is maximizing employee income and you genuinely accept high-voltage risk, height exposure, storm response, and a smaller apprenticeship market, Lineworker is the stronger fit.

If your priority is broader job access, recurring local service demand, a lower-risk work environment, and a realistic path toward owning a local service business, Plumber is the more flexible career.

For someone equally interested in both occupations, the roughly $29,590 wage difference should not be evaluated by itself. The more useful question is whether the worker wants the utility lifestyle that produces the Lineworker wage premium or the local service-and-contracting structure that makes plumbing easier to enter and easier to turn into an independent business.

Sources and Data Method

CareerInTrades uses the following federal occupational classifications:

• Plumber: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — SOC 47-2152.
• Lineworker: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers — SOC 49-9051.

National wage figures use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Employment outlook uses the 2024–2034 projection cycle for consistency across CareerInTrades Comparisons V2.

Because BLS combines Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters under SOC 47-2152, Plumber wage, employment, growth, and annual-opening figures on this page are not Plumber-only statistics.

Primary Occupational Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — wages, apprenticeship, licensing, work environment, and occupational outlook.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Line Installers and Repairers — wages, training, work environment, industry pay, and occupational outlook.
• O*NET OnLine — Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152.00) — tasks, reported job titles, tools, skills, and work activities.
• O*NET OnLine — Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (49-9051.00) — tasks, reported job titles, tools, technologies, and work activities.
• CareerOneStop — U.S. Department of Labor — national and state wage, employment, training, and projection information.
• Apprenticeship.gov — U.S. Department of Labor — Registered Apprenticeship information and training resources.

California Plumbing Contractor Source

• California Contractors State License Board — C-36 Plumbing Contractor — official plumbing contractor classification and scope.

California Electrical Contractor Source

• California Contractors State License Board — C-10 Electrical Contractor — official electrical contractor classification and scope relevant to regulated electrical contracting work.

Explore Career Guides

• Plumber Career Guide
• Lineworker Career Guide

Data reviewed: September 2026. Wage comparisons use BLS May 2024 data and employment outlook uses the 2024–2034 projection cycle for consistency across CareerInTrades Comparisons V2. Plumber national figures refer to the combined Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters occupation. Plumbing licensing, contractor classifications, Lineworker apprenticeship requirements, utility qualifications, high-voltage safety rules, and permitted work scope vary by state, locality, employer, and project. Readers should verify current requirements with the applicable licensing authority, apprenticeship sponsor, utility, employer, or training provider.