Number of Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
177,201
plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors industry has grown 23.7% since 2000 (from 143,261 to 177,201 firms).
- •The peak year was 2023 with 177,201 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+7.0%).
- •Employment: 2,369,218 workers in 2023 (30.3% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 65%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 177,201 | 183,573 | 2,369,218 | 10.5% | 8.4% | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 173,647 | 179,683 | 2,272,796 | 10.8% | 8.2% | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 169,394 | 174,970 | 2,177,128 | 10.1% | 8.3% | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 166,459 | 171,823 | 2,190,628 | 9.3% | 8.7% | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 165,546 | 170,676 | 2,149,442 | 9.6% | 7.9% | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 163,656 | 168,476 | 2,062,511 | 9.6% | 8.0% | +4.1% |
| 2017 | 161,541 | 166,211 | 1,979,983 | 9.7% | 7.8% | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 157,899 | 162,498 | 1,917,678 | 9.8% | 7.7% | +4.9% |
| 2015 | 154,364 | 158,782 | 1,824,542 | 9.9% | 8.2% | +4.9% |
| 2014 | 151,934 | 156,127 | 1,735,830 | 9.7% | 8.4% | +3.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.