Plumber vs Machinist
Side-by-side salary, job growth, and training comparison for 2026
Plumber
$61,550
National Median Salary
Total Jobs513,000
Annual Openings48,600
Training4-5 yr apprenticeship
Machinist
$51,720
National Median Salary
Total Jobs384,700
Annual Openings35,400
Training1-2 yr certificate or apprenticeship
Metric
Plumber
Machinist
Median Salary National, BLS 2023 | $61,550* | $51,720 |
Total Jobs Current employment | 513,000* | 384,700 |
Annual Job Openings New + replacement | 48,600* | 35,400 |
Training Time | 4-5 yr apprenticeship | 1-2 yr certificate or apprenticeship |
* indicates higher/better value. Source: BLS OES 2023.
Top States for Plumbers
Illinois$101,780
New York$98,430
New Jersey$91,650
Alaska$90,120
Massachusetts$87,340
Top States for Machinists
Alaska$78,430
Connecticut$74,890
Washington$72,340
California$70,120
Massachusetts$68,450