Saturday, October 31, 2026
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The Plumbing Brief
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The Plumbing Brief

Research

Original plumbing data and research from public sources: wages, prices, water bills, workforce, and housing data, with methods and sources stated.

Aerial view of a large service company depot with dozens of identical white vans parked in rows
Research

Are Plumbing Companies Consolidating? What the Census Concentration Data Shows

Census: top 50 plumbing/HVAC firms hold 14.4% of revenue (2022) vs 12.6% (2017); $100M+ firms 138 to 235.…
A white heat pump water heater with a fan housing on top, next to a utility sink
Research

Energy Star Water Heaters: What 1,261 Certified Models Show About Efficiency

1,261 Energy Star water heaters: 601 heat pump models (median UEF 3.68) vs gas tankless 0.95. 120V plug-ins,…
An old grey lead pipe joined to a newer copper pipe at a basement floor
Research

Water Systems Over the Lead Action Level: 52 Now, 168 Under the 2027 Rule

EPA data: 52 medium/large water systems exceed 15 µg/L lead (1.3M people); 168 exceed the 2027 10 µg/L…
An open street excavation with a large old concrete sewer pipe being replaced, construction cones around it
Research

Wastewater Infrastructure Needs by State: EPA’s $630 Billion Sewer and Septic Bill

EPA 2022 survey: $630B in clean-water needs, $97B for old sewer pipes, $75B for septic. Every state, per…
Water pooling on a kitchen floor beneath an open sink cabinet with wet cardboard boxes, natural light
Research

Household Plumbing Problems, 2015 to 2023: Are Leaks and Water Outages Getting More Common?

5 American Housing Surveys: inside leaks flat at 8.4%, water outages up from 2.7% (2019) to 3.5% (2023).…
Copper pipe elbows and fittings stacked in wooden bins
Research

Plumbing Contractor Cost Structure: Where Each Revenue Dollar Goes

2022 Economic Census: materials take 31% of plumbing/HVAC revenue, payroll 27%, benefits 8%. Revenue per employee by state.
A small brick workshop with a roll-up door and two white vans parked outside
Research

How Big Are Plumbing Businesses? Employee and Revenue Size Data for 112,000 Firms

Census data: 58% of plumbing/HVAC shops have under 5 employees; the median firm earns $500,000 to $999,999. Size…
A lone plumber walking from his single work van toward a house carrying a toolbag, seen from behind, early morning light
Research

Self-Employed Plumbers: 178,663 Solo Plumbing and HVAC Businesses by State

Census data: 178,663 solo plumbing/HVAC businesses in 2023, up 13% since 2018, avg receipts $78,389. Every state.
A suburban street with single-family houses in the foreground and a mid-rise commercial building under construction behind, overcast daylight
Research

Plumbing Contractor Revenue by Building Type: Where the Industry’s $298 Billion Comes From

2022 Economic Census: 51% of plumbing/HVAC contractor revenue is residential; repair is 29%. Every product line.
Wide shot of a plumbing contractor's yard at sunrise with a row of white service vans and stacked pipe, no people close up
Research

Plumbing Industry Revenue: The Census Puts Plumbing Contractors at $75.1 Billion

2022 Economic Census: plumbing contractors earned $75.1 billion, up 40% from 2017, a quarter of the $297.6 billion…