Studies Reveal Economic Impact, Worker Shortage in Plumbing Industry

A pair of studies reveal the economic impact of plumbers and plumbing manufacturers while projecting a shortfall of about 550,000 plumbers by 2027.

Plumbing Manufacturers International’s “Plumbing Manufacturing Industry Economic Impact Study” reveals the combined, total economic impact of plumbers and plumbing manufacturers to be more than $442 billion annually, with almost 1.8 million jobs, and over $142 billion in wages. Together, both industries generated almost $60 billion in tax revenue. For plumbing manufacturers alone, the total economic impact is $129 billion, 500,487 jobs and $37 billion in wages. For plumbers, the total economic impact is $313.5 billion, 1.3 million jobs and $105 billion in wages. Data can be sorted by state and by congressional, state house or state senate district.

The second study commissioned by PMI member LIXIL, “Blocked Pipes: The Economic Consequences of Skilled Worker Shortages,” reveals a projected shortfall of about 550,000 unfilled plumbing positions by 2027. This skilled labor deficit causes construction delays for builders and drives up costs for property owners, constraining economic output. The study found that the addition of only 16,400 plumbers would reduce plumbing costs by nearly $1.27 billion annually and save an additional $144.5 million on maintenance of plumbing infrastructure.

Both studies were conducted by economic research firm John Dunham & Associates, with the LIXIL study in collaboration with economist Michael Flaherty.