Young people are shunning plumbing as a career option. The number of plumbers retiring is outweighing the number of new plumbers. Research commissioned by bathroom fittings manufacturers, Lixil Americas, shows that the shortage of plumbers in the United States cost the economy around $33 billion in 2022. The report estimates that by 2027, the nation will be short of around 550,000 plumbers.
Enrollment at trade schools has fallen. The apprenticeship rate for young people wanting to be trained in skilled trade work like plumbing dropped by 49% in 2022 compared to 2020, according to data from the recruitment platform Handshake.
Plumbing shortages across the United States is having negative consequences on households and the economy, including driving up costs for plumbing services. Not being able to call on a professional plumber can also have negative implications on businesses, such as their ability to expand into new buildings. The shortfall of plumbers can also delay flood recovery efforts and building upgrades so that water systems are more efficient.
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