Plumber vs Construction Manager
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Plumber
Plumbing · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$64,109
Salary Range$54,720 – $86,700
5yr Growth+14%
Trade Pay ScoreB (71/100)
Total Employment183,601
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Construction Manager
Management · 0yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$112,501
Salary Range$90,238 – $141,603
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (82/100)
Total Employment195,083
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Plumber | Construction Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $86,700 | $133,724 | -$47,024 |
| Seattle, WA | $79,599 | $141,603 | -$62,004 |
| New York, NY | $76,532 | $138,742 | -$62,210 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,555 | $124,384 | -$49,829 |
| Boston, MA | $74,304 | $129,499 | -$55,195 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,748 | $134,046 | -$60,298 |
| Portland, OR | $73,251 | $129,318 | -$56,067 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,391 | $124,593 | -$58,202 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,029 | $103,128 | -$37,099 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,606 | $121,490 | -$55,884 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,229 | $119,631 | -$56,402 |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,955 | $110,643 | -$47,688 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,710 | $105,135 | -$42,425 |
| Denver, CO | $62,081 | $121,535 | -$59,454 |
| Miami, FL | $62,048 | $94,454 | -$32,406 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,956 | $110,487 | -$48,531 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,084 | $103,783 | -$42,699 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,533 | $91,823 | -$31,290 |
| Houston, TX | $60,498 | $110,350 | -$49,852 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,056 | $98,578 | -$38,522 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,380 | $102,530 | -$43,150 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $59,307 | $103,583 | -$44,276 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,192 | $111,663 | -$52,471 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $59,172 | $105,962 | -$46,790 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,077 | $109,848 | -$53,771 |
| Raleigh, NC | $56,029 | $102,831 | -$46,802 |
| Nashville, TN | $55,467 | $107,407 | -$51,940 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,107 | $90,238 | -$35,131 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,966 | $93,203 | -$38,237 |
| Charlotte, NC | $54,720 | $100,828 | -$46,108 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Plumbers or Construction Managers make more money?
Construction Managers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $112,501 compared to $64,109 — a difference of $48,392 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Plumber or Construction Manager?
Plumber has stronger 5-year wage growth at 14% vs 12%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Plumber requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Construction Manager requires 0 years.
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