As automation and AI grab headlines, many people worry — “Will my job be replaced?” But for plumbers, HVAC techs, and other hands-on tradespeople, the odds are very different. These are careers rooted in physical infrastructure, craftsmanship, and human-scale problem-solving — things machines and software can’t easily replicate.
Moreover, the demand for such trades is surging, especially with booming data centers, industrial facilities, and aging infrastructure needing constant maintenance. As Jensen Huang recently observed: electricians, plumbers, and carpenters will be in huge demand as we build out the infrastructure required to power the next generation of AI and digital services. Investopedia+2Yahoo Finance+2
The Money Is There: High Pay + Realistic Path to Six Figures
What the Numbers Show
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was US $62,970 (2024). bls.gov
- But — and this matters — the top 10% of plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters earned more than US $105,150/year. bls.gov
- Data from a recent salary survey for HVAC workers shows that journeyman HVAC techs (i.e. experienced technicians) often report salaries in the upper five-figures to six-figure range — some listings show up to about US $129,777/year for high earners. Glassdoor+2Glassdoor+2
- Another source surveying HVAC employment puts many HVAC-related jobs at around US $106,048/year — well into six-figure territory. Indeed
Why Some Make More Than Others
Several factors push pay from median to six-figure levels — especially if you:
- Gain experience (journeyman, master plumber / senior HVAC tech).
- Acquire specialized certifications or licenses (e.g. for commercial/industrial, gas systems, complex HVAC).
- Work in high-demand regions or industries (e.g. large cities, commercial buildings, data centers, industrial facilities).
- Work overtime, emergency calls, or on-call — many plumbers/HVAC techs work nights/weekends and may get premium pay for that. bls.gov+2ServiceTitan+2
- Move into supervisory roles, start their own contracting business, or take on more complex jobs (commercial installs, industrial HVAC/plumbing, retrofits, maintenance contracts, etc.).
Why Demand Is Rising — Not Declining
A common concern: “Won’t everything be automated or replaced by AI/robots eventually?” But the reality — especially for physical infrastructure — is different:
- As Huang argues, the expansion of data centers, cloud infrastructure, industrial facilities, and large-scale construction will require hundreds of thousands of skilled tradespeople: “electricians, plumbers, carpenters will be in high demand.” Investopedia+1
- Infrastructure does not just get built — it must be maintained, upgraded, retrofitted, and repaired. That ongoing demand favors skilled trades over time, particularly as buildings & systems age, codes change, and technology evolves.
- Skilled trades are inherently resistant to full automation — plumbing, HVAC, electrical work require adaptability, on-site decision making, physical dexterity, and compliance with safety codes — difficult to fully automate. That gives a long-term hedge against job displacement.
Re-Thinking Career Advice — Trades Can Be a Smart, Lucrative Choice
In a society that often emphasizes college degrees as the “default path to success,” skilled trades like plumbing and HVAC are too often overlooked. Yet:
- You can earn well over $100,000/year without a 4-year college degree.
- There’s high demand — and future demand — for the work.
- You have relatively low education/training barrier compared with many professional disciplines (especially if you enter via apprenticeship or trade-school + certification).
- There’s variety, independence (many tradespeople run their own businesses), and real, practical value — you’re building and maintaining the systems people depend on daily.
Even top tech leaders acknowledge this — say that “the next rich class” may emerge from the skilled trades, not just from traditional white-collar jobs. Investopedia+2Yahoo Finance+2
Conclusion: Plumbing & HVAC — Low Risk, High Reward
If you’re thinking about career paths today — and worried about job security, automation, or the cost of college — it’s worth seriously considering trades like plumbing or HVAC. When done right, with skill and drive, these are blue-collar careers with white-collar earning potential.
In a time of rapid infrastructure expansion — data centers, commercial buildings, urban growth, upgrades — demand for plumbers and HVAC professionals is rising. As Huang and others have plainly said: society will need hundreds of thousands more such workers.
For those willing to put in the work, learn the trade, and maybe get certified or specialize — plumbing or HVAC isn’t just a fallback. It’s a forward-looking, realistic path to a stable, well-paying, meaningful career.
