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Plumbers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Pigott Matthew Pigott New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 23822b

Revenue

$121.5bn

2024

$121.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

551k

Businesses

112k

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Plumbers in the US industry analysis

Plumbers provide an essential service to a wide variety of construction and renovation activities, though the construction of nonresidential buildings is the industry's primary market. This market encompasses investments in office buildings, hospitals, factories, power plants, retail stores, schools and entertainment centers. Following a decline amid the COVID-19 pandemic, nonresidential construction has performed well, with a surge in online shopping driving increased warehouse construction, government spending driving manufacturing and infrastructure construction and, more recently, the rise of AI contributing to growing data center construction. At the same time, rapidly growing materials prices and wage costs have driven up plumbers' rates, further bolstering revenue but putting pressure on profit.

Trends and Insights

  • Nonresidential construction, plumber's leading market, is booming again. Federal policies and rising e-commerce activity spurred growth, and while warehouse construction peaked, data center construction is now picking up the slack in 2024. The second Trump administration could target some Biden-era policies that are supporting construction.
  • Refurbishment and maintenance are reliable as always. Refurbishment and maintenance of aging plumbing systems have remained steady streams of income for independent plumbers and companies alike. This will not change in the near future.
  • California is the single-largest state for plumbers. It is the perfect storm of high population, varied climate and intense natural disasters, which place strain on plumbing infrastructure, requiring constant maintenance.
  • Plumbers compete regionally to serve local communities. Most are independent operators, though constant demand keeps direct competition low.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $121.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The nonresidential market has rebounded

  • Accounting for just over two-thirds of the plumbing industry's revenue, nonresidential construction includes work performed on hotels, office buildings, stores, restaurants, commercial warehouses, institutional buildings and manufacturing facilities.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Plumbers in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Biggest companies in the Plumbers in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Comfort Systems Usa, inc.
518.0
27.5
5.3
Emcor Group, Inc.
424.4
23.1
5.4
Nooter Construction, Inc.
14.2
0.8
5.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Plumbers in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including General plumbing services, Mechanical services and Building sprinkler system installation. General plumbing services is the largest segment of the Plumbers in the US.

Trends and Insights

General plumbing contractors expected to grow

  • General plumbing services include the installation, repair and maintenance of water distribution pipes and appliances, water heaters, garbage disposals, bathroom and kitchen sinks, water pipes and other plumbing. These services may also include sewer and drain cleaning and copper repiping.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Industry contractors install and maintain plumbing fixtures, fittings and equipment. Industry activities include work on household pipes and drains, installation of gas cooking and heating appliances and work on bathroom and toilet fixtures and venting systems. Emergency repair work (e.g. unclogging drains or repairing burst water mains) represents a significant source of industry revenue. Contractors may also supply plumbing appliances and coupling products for construction projects.

What's included in this industry?

Drain construction, cleaning or repairingGas plumbingGas appliance repairHot water systems installationRepairing installed plumbingSeptic tank installationSolar hot water systems installationSteamfitting and piping contracting servicesInterior and exterior sprinkler system installation

Companies

Comfort Systems Usa, inc.Emcor Group, Inc.Nooter Construction, Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

NONEMPLOYERPLUMBING FIXTURESTEAMFITTINGHYDRONICNONPOTABLELEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 238220 - Plumbers in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Nonresidential construction, plumber's leading market, is booming again. Federal policies and rising e-commerce activity spurred growth, and while warehouse construction peak...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Refurbishment and maintenance are reliable as always. Refurbishment and maintenance of aging plumbing systems have remained steady streams of income for independent plumbers ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

California is the single-largest state for plumbers. It is the perfect storm of high population, varied climate and intense natural disasters, which place strain on plumbing ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Plumbers compete regionally to serve local communities. Most are independent operators, though constant demand keeps direct competition low.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The is no single company with a market share greater than 2.0% in this industry. The largest plumbing contractors cater to commercial clients and work on larger construction ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Comfort Systems Usa, inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Emcor Group, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nooter Construction, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Comfort Systems Usa, inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Emcor Group, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nooter Construction, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Licensing is the main barrier to entry. Plumbers are required to obtain licenses to operate. However, specific requirements for these licenses vary from state to state, reinf...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit has fallen over the past five years because of an unstable commercial market. Profit from plumbing will grow as corporate profit climbs, though it will not reach pre-p...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Plumbers in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Plumbers in the US industry in United States is $121.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Plumbers in the US industry in 2024?

There are 112k businesses in the Plumbers in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Plumbers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Plumbers in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 2.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Plumbers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Plumbers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Plumbers in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Plumbers market in United States are Comfort Systems Usa, inc., Emcor Group, Inc. and Nooter Construction, Inc.

What does the Plumbers in the US in United States include?

Drain construction, cleaning or repairing and Gas plumbing are part of the Plumbers in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Plumbers in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Comfort Systems Usa, inc..

How competitive is the Plumbers in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Plumbers in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Electricians in the US
  • Roofing Contractors in the US
  • Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in the US
  • Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US

International industries

  • Plumbing in Canada
  • Plumbing Services in Australia
  • Plumbing Services in New Zealand
  • Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Installation in the UK
  • Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Installation in Ireland

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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