Plumber vs Solar PV Installer
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Higher Pay
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
Solar PV Installer
Electrical · 2yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,287
Salary Range$43,090 – $66,757
5yr Growth+22%
Trade Pay ScoreB (78/100)
Total Employment244,363
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Plumber | Solar PV Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $86,700 | $66,757 | +$19,943 |
| Seattle, WA | $79,599 | $59,766 | +$19,833 |
| New York, NY | $76,532 | $65,753 | +$10,779 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,555 | $55,717 | +$18,838 |
| Boston, MA | $74,304 | $62,081 | +$12,223 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,748 | $55,155 | +$18,593 |
| Portland, OR | $73,251 | $53,227 | +$20,024 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,391 | $53,197 | +$13,194 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,029 | $52,197 | +$13,832 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,606 | $51,811 | +$13,795 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,229 | $50,972 | +$12,257 |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,955 | $44,729 | +$18,226 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,710 | $48,077 | +$14,633 |
| Denver, CO | $62,081 | $49,273 | +$12,808 |
| Miami, FL | $62,048 | $43,090 | +$18,958 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,956 | $49,002 | +$12,954 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,084 | $47,056 | +$14,028 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,533 | $43,828 | +$16,705 |
| Houston, TX | $60,498 | $47,597 | +$12,901 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,056 | $45,887 | +$14,169 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,380 | $43,179 | +$16,201 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $59,307 | $46,122 | +$13,185 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,192 | $50,876 | +$8,316 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $59,172 | $46,431 | +$12,741 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,077 | $47,345 | +$8,732 |
| Raleigh, NC | $56,029 | $43,665 | +$12,364 |
| Nashville, TN | $55,467 | $43,848 | +$11,619 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,107 | $47,144 | +$7,963 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,966 | $45,737 | +$9,229 |
| Charlotte, NC | $54,720 | $49,101 | +$5,619 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Plumbers or Solar PV Installers make more money?
Plumbers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $64,109 compared to $50,287 — a difference of $13,822 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Plumber or Solar PV Installer?
Solar PV Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 22% vs 14%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Plumber requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Solar PV Installer requires 2 years.
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