Electricians and Plumbers Job Outlook

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Electricians and Plumbers Job Outlook

Key Takeaways


Introduction

This research brief analyzes the job outlook and projection for electricians and plumbers in the United States over the next decade. It provides insights into the job outlook, including the job demand outlook, the regions/states with the highest employment level, the number of workers entering/exiting the market, and the overall market outlook.

The research carries on to find the regions/states with higher/lower demand for electricians and plumbers over the next decade using data pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational categories. These figures were added to the attached spreadsheet.


Electricians: Job Outlook

1- Job Demand Outlook & Electrician Shortage

  • The BLS expects that the number of electricians will increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030, growing from 729,600 in 2020 to reach 795,700 by 2030. The average annual number of job openings for electricians will be 84,700 openings over the next decade. This number is the result of industry dynamics, with the growing need to replace exiting and retiring workers.
  • CareerExplorer gives the electrician career path an A- employability rating, which highlights the great employment opportunities this career path offers in the near future. Over the next decade, the United States is expected to employ 67,000 electricians.
  • The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) expects a shortage of electricians over the next few years, based on the difference between the number of workers exiting and entering the field. It is estimated that there are 7,000 electricians entering the field each year, while 10,000 electricians are retiring.
  • According to DataUSA, the employment growth for electricians (8.41%) will outpace the national workforce employment growth (3.71%) between 2019 and 2029 (a 10-year period). The chart below outlines the projected 10-year growth in employment for electricians, along with the national workforce employment.

2- Regions/States with Higher/Lower Demand

3- Regions/States with the Highest Employment Level

  • The states with the least employment level for electricians are Virgin Islands (300), Guam (410), Vermont (1,080), District of Columbia (1,270), and Alaska (1,500).

4- Workers Entering/Exiting the Market

5- Electrician Services Market Outlook

  • Electricians (businesses and individuals) will generate $202.3 billion in revenue in 2021, increasing by 3% from 2020. In 2020, the industry in the United States was valued at $196.5 billion, growing at an average yearly growth rate (CAGR) of 2% between 2016 and 2021.
  • About 223,659 businesses are operating within the US electrician services market, employing 1,067,069 workers. These workers include independent and self-employed electricians.
  • In 2019, the market size of electrician services was $179.8 billion. The chart below outlines a detailed analysis of the industry in 2019.

6- Other Helpful Findings

  • The unemployment rate among electricians in the United States is 2.6%.
  • The top-paying US states for electricians are Illinois, New York, Hawaii, District of Columbia, and Oregon.
  • The top-paying US industries for electricians are natural gas distribution, land subdivision, technical and trade schools, promoters of performing arts, and general merchandise stores.

Plumbers: Job Outlook

1- Job Demand Outlook

  • The BLS expects that the number of plumbers will increase by 5% between 2020 and 2030, growing from 469,900 in 2020 to reach 493,200 by 2030. The average annual number of job openings for plumbers will be 51,000 openings over the next decade. This number is the result of industry dynamics, with the growing need to replace exiting and retiring workers. The BLS refers to plumbers as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
  • CareerExplorer gives the plumber career path a B employability rating, which highlights the good employment opportunities this career path offers in the near future. Over the next decade, the United States is expected to employ 81,900 plumbers.
  • According to DataUSA, the employment growth for plumbers (4.26%) will outpace the national workforce employment growth (3.71%) between 2019 and 2029 (a 10-year period). The chart below outlines the projected 10-year growth in employment for plumbers, along with the national workforce employment.

2- Regions/States with Higher/Lower Demand

3- Regions/States with the Highest Employment Level

  • The states with the least employment level for plumbers are Virgin Islands (230), Guam (250), Puerto Rico (740), Wyoming (820), and Vermont (900).

4- Workers Entering/Exiting the Market

5- Plumber Services Market Outlook

  • Plumbers (businesses and individuals) will generate $124 billion in revenue in 2021, increasing by 3.7% from 2020. In 2020, the industry in the United States was valued at $119.6 billion, growing at an average yearly growth rate (CAGR) of 3% between 2016 and 2021.
  • About 127,343 businesses are operating within the US plumber services market, employing 565,537 workers. These workers include independent and self-employed plumbers.
  • In 2019, the market size of plumber services was $112.7 billion. The chart below outlines a detailed analysis of the industry in 2019.

6- Other Helpful Findings

  • The unemployment rate among plumbers in the United States is 3.2%.
  • The top-paying US states for plumbers are Alaska, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
  • The top-paying US industries for plumbers are rail transportation, electric power (generation, transmission, and distribution), aerospace product and parts manufacturing, petroleum and coal products manufacturing, and educational support services.


Research Strategy

For this research on the job outlook for electricians and plumbers in the United States, we leveraged the most reputable sources of information that were available in the public domain, including government databases, industry-related studies, market reports, statistic portals/databases, and trusted media articles. In pursuit of this strategy, we checked government websites, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Moreover, we leveraged industry-related websites and associations, such as the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). We also scoured research websites like ResearchGate, Market Watch, Business Wire, and PR News Wire. We also checked consulting websites such as Statista, Deloitte, KPMG, Accenture, and McKinsey, and media websites like Reuters and Forbes.

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