Self-employed plumbers and HVAC techs are growing in number, and they out-earn other one-person service businesses, averaging about $78,607 in yearly sales.
The U.S. had 189,085 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with no employees in 2024, up 15.7% from 163,431 in 2019.
They also bring in more than other one-person service businesses. The average solo plumbing or HVAC shop reported about $78,607 in sales in 2024, ahead of solo electricians ($57,171), landscapers ($37,227), child care providers ($21,750) and cleaners ($21,483).
Where solo shops grew fastest
- Florida: 13,725 to 20,993 (+53.0%)
- Utah: 1,010 to 1,354 (+34.1%)
- Nevada: 954 to 1,228 (+28.7%)
- Arizona: 3,223 to 4,134 (+28.3%)
Nearly every state grew. North Dakota had the biggest drop (-12.3%, from 260 to 228), and Alaska dipped slightly.
What this means if you’re starting a plumbing or HVAC business
Higher sales also come with higher costs: parts, a work van, licensing and insurance. Most states require a license, and many customers and builders want proof of liability coverage. See our guides to plumbing insurance in Florida, plumbing insurance in Arizona and HVAC insurance in Utah, three of the fastest-growing states. For startup money, our HVAC and plumbing business loans guide explains SBA options.
How we got these numbers
These counts come from the Census Bureau’s Nonemployer Statistics. A “nonemployer” business has no paid employees and at least $1,000 in yearly sales; most are self-employed people filing a Schedule C tax form. We compared 2024 (the newest year, released this fall) with 2019 for industry code 23822 (plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors). One person can own more than one business, and side gigs count the same as full-time work. Revenue figures are average yearly sales (receipts), not profit, and are not adjusted for inflation. Census reports plumbing and HVAC together under one code. Food trucks are left out of the comparison because Census does not publish solo food truck figures at this level. Data pulled October 16, 2026.