5 Ways Plumbers Can Earn Extra Income in 2026 (Without More Plumbing)

You Fix Pipes for $30/Hour. But You Walk Past $500 Every Day.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbers earn a median wage of $62,970/year ($30.27/hour). The top 10% earn over $104,000. But those numbers only count plumbing income.

What if you could earn $5,000-$10,000+ per year from the commercial buildings you're already inside — without picking up a wrench?

The Money You're Walking Past

Every time you enter a commercial building to fix a leak, run a backflow test, or replace a water heater, you walk past an opportunity most plumbers never see:

The cleaning contract.

That building pays someone $1,500-$4,000/month for janitorial services. And the building manager? They're often unhappy with the company doing it. You know because you see the dirty restrooms while you're working on the pipes underneath them.

5 Ways to Add Income Without More Plumbing

1. Cleaning Company Referrals — $500+ Per Building

This is the highest-ROI option for a working plumber. Here's why:

• You're already in the building during service calls
• You already have rapport with the facility manager
• It takes one conversation — "I know a commercial cleaning company that does great work. Want me to connect you?"

Potential earnings: XIRI pays a minimum of $500 per building that converts to a cleaning contract, plus $50/month recurring for the life of the contract. Refer 5 buildings = $2,500 upfront + $250/month ongoing.

→ Learn about the XIRI Plumber Referral Program

2. Maintenance Contract Upsells

Many plumbing companies leave money on the table by only doing reactive work. Annual PM contracts for backflow testing, water heater flushing, and fixture inspections create recurring revenue.

Industry data: The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) reports that contractors with maintenance agreements see 30-40% higher customer lifetime value.

3. Selling Water Treatment/Filtration

Commercial water filtration systems are a natural upsell when you're already discussing water quality. Margins are 40-60% on equipment with recurring filter replacement revenue.

4. Emergency Response Partnerships

Partner with restoration companies for water damage referrals. When you respond to a burst pipe, the building needs cleanup and restoration. Restoration companies pay $200-$500 per qualified referral.

5. Subcontracting to Facility Management Companies

Companies like XIRI contract plumbing work to local tradespeople. Instead of finding your own customers, you bid on work that's already sold.

The Math on Referral Income

10 referrals over the course of a year adds $11,000+ in total income. That's an 18% raise on the median plumber salary — from conversations, not callouts.

BLS Employment Outlook

The BLS projects 2% growth for plumbers through 2033, roughly keeping pace with average occupations. With 561,400 plumbers employed nationally, competition for service calls is real. Diversifying your income through referrals and partnerships protects you when the market gets tight.

Start Earning Today

You don't need a license. You don't need to learn a new trade. You just need to mention a name the next time a building manager complains about their cleaning company.

Join the XIRI Plumber Referral Program → Earn a minimum of $500 per building