How to become a plumber in 2026

How to become a plumber in 2026 If you're 18–25 years old right now, you may be sitting on one of the biggest financial opportunities in America — and it doesn’t require massive student debt or a four-year degree. In this step-by-step guide, Roger Wakefield breaks down exactly how to become a plumber in 2026. With decades in the trade, business ownership experience, and having helped hundreds of thousands understand the plumbing industry, Roger shares the real roadmap — no fluff, no gatekeeping. In this video, you’ll learn: 🔧 How to decide if plumbing (or another trade) is right for you 🎓 Why a high school diploma or GED matters 👷 The 3 main ways to get started (Union, Non-Union, or Trade School) 💰 What apprentices really earn (Year 1 through Journeyman) 📜 How licensing works (Apprentice → Tradesman → Journeyman → Master Plumber) 🏗️ The different career paths: residential, commercial, industrial, service & more 📈 How to build business skills and eventually own your own company 🚀 Why plumbing is recession-resistant, essential, and merit-based Most plumbers get paid while they learn. By your mid-20s, you could be earning $25–$45 per hour as a licensed journeyman. By 30, you could be making six figures — or even multiple six figures — as a master plumber or business owner. This isn’t a fallback plan. Plumbing is infrastructure. Plumbing is public health. Plumbing is opportunity. If you're serious about getting into the trades, comment “I’m in.” Want a video on how to get your first plumbing job or what to expect your first year? Let us know below. If you believe the trades deserve more respect, hit subscribe and ring the bell so you don’t miss what’s next. The future of plumbing might just be watching this video right now. Download the Wakefield App ▶️ https://wakefield.app/ Join our FREE community ▶️ https://discord.gg/zu3KHudqAB Get More Calls, Close More Jobs —Without Lifting a Finger! ▶️ https://rogersmarketingmachine.com Get the BEST Leak Detection Equipment ▶️ https://www.leak-pro.com/ ▶️ My favorite equipment & tools on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/shop/rogerwakefield ________________________________________________________________________________________________ *NOTE: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at NO COST TO YOU. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support! ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, The Expert Plumber, and welcome to my channel. On this channel, it's ALL about plumbing. We play games, we experiment, and we have FUN here, talking and learning about all things plumbing! ____________________________________________________________________________