Plumber vs Power Line Installer
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
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Plumber | Power Line Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $86,700 | $104,999 | -$18,299 |
| Seattle, WA | $79,599 | $97,004 | -$17,405 |
| New York, NY | $76,532 | $112,855 | -$36,323 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,555 | $98,777 | -$24,222 |
| Boston, MA | $74,304 | $98,333 | -$24,029 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,748 | $99,425 | -$25,677 |
| Portland, OR | $73,251 | $99,431 | -$26,180 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,391 | $88,613 | -$22,222 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,029 | $79,227 | -$13,198 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,606 | $94,049 | -$28,443 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,229 | $86,876 | -$23,647 |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,955 | $79,542 | -$16,587 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,710 | $80,461 | -$17,751 |
| Denver, CO | $62,081 | $86,992 | -$24,911 |
| Miami, FL | $62,048 | $84,373 | -$22,325 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,956 | $83,941 | -$21,985 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,084 | $85,790 | -$24,706 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,533 | $78,807 | -$18,274 |
| Houston, TX | $60,498 | $88,707 | -$28,209 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,056 | $81,266 | -$21,210 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,380 | $85,011 | -$25,631 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $59,307 | $91,683 | -$32,376 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,192 | $87,080 | -$27,888 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $59,172 | $83,676 | -$24,504 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,077 | $84,221 | -$28,144 |
| Raleigh, NC | $56,029 | $82,108 | -$26,079 |
| Nashville, TN | $55,467 | $75,751 | -$20,284 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,107 | $76,343 | -$21,236 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,966 | $82,075 | -$27,109 |
| Charlotte, NC | $54,720 | $74,545 | -$19,825 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Plumbers or Power Line Installers make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $64,109 — a difference of $23,623 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Plumber or Power Line Installer?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 14%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Plumber requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Power Line Installer requires 4 years.
Plumber salary by city →
Power Line Installer salary by city →
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