How to Become a Plumber
What is a Plumber?
Plumbers install and repair pipes that carry liquids such as water, or gases into and out of homes and businesses.
Plumbers also install and repair sinks, toilets, water heaters, and so much more.
The job will take you inside and outdoors, so being comfortable in both atmospheres is a plus.
This is a job where you’ll get dirty, so if you’re worried about germs, maybe you want to steer clear of a career as a plumber.
Duties
- Prepare and understand the layout of plumbing systems
- Find and more positions of connections
- Measure pipes and mark for cutting
- Cut, thread and bend pipes
- Install pipes, valves, and fittings
- Test lines to ensure they are up to local regulations
- Install equipment like water heaters, boilers, gas appliances, toilets, sinks, etc.
- Welding
- Maintaining and repairing problems
Salary
In the United States, the average plumbers salary is around $55,000.
When you first start out, you can make roughly $48,000, but when you get more experience you can make up to $63,000.
Salary ranges depend on education, certifications, specific skill sets, and the number of years you’ve worked as a plumber.
Annually National Average Salary:
$63,350
$36K
$46K
$63K
$77K
$99K
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%
Monthly National Average Salary:
$5,250
$3.0K
$3.8K
$5.3K
$6.4K
$8.3K
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%
Hourly National Average Salary:
$30.46
$17.65
$22.40
$30.46
$37.45
$48.04
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%
Average Annual Salary by State
StateAvg. Annual SalaryAlabama$47,470Alaska$85,300Arizona$55,470Arkansas$45,440California$72,000Colorado$57,390Connecticut$65,330Delaware$68,250District of Columbia$76,660Florida$48,120Georgia$57,200Hawaii$72,830Idaho$48,990Illinois$86,200Indiana$62,450Iowa$59,050Kansas$55,050Kentucky$57,630Louisiana$57,040Maine$54,160Maryland$60,350Massachusetts$84,090Michigan$63,460Minnesota$77,980Mississippi$47,430Missouri$62,080Montana$63,480Nebraska$57,550Nevada$64,750New Hampshire$58,590New Jersey$82,740New Mexico$50,150New York$77,490North Carolina$48,340North Dakota$58,820Ohio$62,780Oklahoma$50,850Oregon$81,470Pennsylvania$65,580Rhode Island$65,090South Carolina$48,680South Dakota$47,460Tennessee$53,600Texas$52,470Utah$55,120Vermont$53,840Virginia$55,120Washington$79,390West Virginia$53,470Wisconsin$70,230Wyoming$53,610Guam$39,370Puerto Rico$23,680Virgin Islands$56,470
Annual Average Salary: Top 5 States
The top earning state in the field is Illinois, where the average salary is $86,200.
These are the top 5 earning states in the field:
Illinois – $86,200
Alaska – $85,300
Massachusetts – $84,090
New Jersey – $82,740
Oregon – $81,470
Average Monthly Salary by State
StateAvg. Monthly SalaryAlabama$3,917Alaska$7,083Arizona$4,583Arkansas$3,750California$6,000Colorado$4,750Connecticut$5,417Delaware$5,667District of Columbia$6,333Florida$4,000Georgia$4,750Hawaii$6,000Idaho$4,000Illinois$7,167Indiana$5,167Iowa$4,917Kansas$4,583Kentucky$4,750Louisiana$4,750Maine$4,500Maryland$5,000Massachusetts$7,000Michigan$5,250Minnesota$6,417Mississippi$3,917Missouri$5,167Montana$5,250Nebraska$4,750Nevada$5,333New Hampshire$4,833New Jersey$6,833New Mexico$4,167New York$6,417North Carolina$4,000North Dakota$4,833Ohio$5,167Oklahoma$4,167Oregon$6,750Pennsylvania$5,417Rhode Island$5,417South Carolina$4,000South Dakota$3,917Tennessee$4,417Texas$4,333Utah$4,583Vermont$4,417Virginia$4,583Washington$6,583West Virginia$4,417Wisconsin$5,833Wyoming$4,417Guam$3,250Puerto Rico$1,917Virgin Islands$4,667
Monthly Average Salary: Top 5 States
The top earning state in the field is Illinois, where the average salary is $7,167.
These are the top 5 earning states in the field:
Illinois – $7,167
Alaska – $7,083
Massachusetts – $7,000
New Jersey – $6,833
Oregon – $6,750
Average Hourly Salary by State
StateAvg. Hourly SalaryAlabama$22.82Alaska$41.01Arizona$26.67Arkansas$21.85California$34.62Colorado$27.59Connecticut$31.41Delaware$32.81District of Columbia$36.86Florida$23.13Georgia$27.50Hawaii$35.02Idaho$23.55Illinois$41.44Indiana$30.03Iowa$28.39Kansas$26.46Kentucky$27.71Louisiana$27.42Maine$26.04Maryland$29.02Massachusetts$40.43Michigan$30.51Minnesota$37.49Mississippi$22.80Missouri$29.85Montana$30.52Nebraska$27.67Nevada$31.13New Hampshire$28.17New Jersey$39.78New Mexico$24.11New York$37.26North Carolina$23.24North Dakota$28.28Ohio$30.18Oklahoma$24.45Oregon$39.17Pennsylvania$31.53Rhode Island$31.29South Carolina$23.41South Dakota$22.82Tennessee$25.77Texas$25.23Utah$26.50Vermont$25.89Virginia$26.50Washington$38.17West Virginia$25.71Wisconsin$33.76Wyoming$25.77Guam$18.93Puerto Rico$11.39Virgin Islands$27.15
Hourly Average Salary: Top 5 States
The top earning state in the field is Illinois, where the average salary is $41.44.
These are the top 5 earning states in the field:
Illinois – $41.44
Alaska – $41.01
Massachusetts – $40.43
New Jersey – $39.78
Oregon – $39.17
*Salary information based on the May 2021 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey.
Conducted by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Plumber
Step 1
Get an Education
The first step that you are going to want to take in order to become a plumber is to get your high school diploma or GED.
You’ll want to have basic knowledge of reading, science, math, and writing.
This job requires you to make accurate measurements, so a proficiency in algebra, metric units of measure, and geometry will suit you well.
Other factors that may hinder you from becoming a plumber are hits on your record.
So, try and steer clear of DUI’s, reckless driving convictions, misdemeanors, felonies and failed drug tests.
Step 2
Find a Technical Program
After you graduate or get your GED, finding a technical school will help you toward your career of choice.
Many states require that you put in a certain number of hours in the classroom in order to become a licensed plumber.
You can find programs at community colleges, trade institutes, and even the Professional Plumbing Association.
Each state may have different requirements for what type of classes you’ll need to take.
Typically, you’ll take classes like:
- Draining and venting
- Local plumbing codes
- Water heating systems
- Pipe cutting
Step 3
Become an Apprentice
Most states also require that you start out as an apprentice before you can be a licensed plumber.
Some apprenticeships can take two years, while others can take up to five.
One of the good things about doing an apprenticeship, is that you can start while you are still in school.
To find where you can go for an apprenticeship, check out your trade school or organization, they can lead you in the right direction.
You can also check with local plumbing businesses to see if they are hiring apprentices.
Step 4
Get Licensed
After you finish those long years of job shadowing, you’ll finally be able to get your license.
Except, you’ll have to take a test.
Most places expect you to take a written exam and a practical exam, before you can become licensed.
Once you pass the test, you are now a licensed plumber!
Education
You need to enroll in a technical program to become a plumber.
After a year in school, you’ll be required to do an apprenticeship for on the job training.
This can take you around five years to complete, depending on where you want to work.
It’s possible to begin your apprenticeship while you’re still in school.
Video About The Career
Licensing
After you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll be required to take a test before getting your plumbing license.
This exam will include written and practical tests that show your strengths and knowledge about the field.
Once you pass the test, you will be a licensed plumber!
Certification Example:
Average Training Program Duration:
4+ Years
Popular Degree Programs
Get information on Plumber programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.
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Job Outlook
The job outlook for plumbers is great.
The career is on the rise, and in the next ten years will climb 16%.
New homes and new businesses will increase the need for plumbers.
Employment Growth Projection:
5%
469,900
2020
493,200
2030
That’s a higher than average projected growth of 23,300 jobs.
Plumber: Interest Over Time
Should You Become a Plumber?
Overall Satisfaction:
High
This job has a lower stress level than a lot of other jobs in the field, but there is rarely an opportunity for upward mobility.
The balance between home life and work is good, which means that the job satisfaction is fairly high for plumbers.
Average Salary:
High
The average salary for a plumber is around $48,000.
There are opportunities to make up to $63,000.
When you have more education and special skills, you’ll make more money.
Job Growth Outlook:
High
The growth for this career will be up 16% within the next ten years.
Most demand for this job will be due to new construction of homes and businesses.
Upgrading and updating older homes and businesses will be good for business as well.
Education Duration:
4+ Years
The in-class education takes around a year, but apprenticeship can take up to five years.
You won’t be able to get a job without an apprenticeship.
Most apprenticeships are paid positions.
Personal Skills Needed
- Hand eye coordination
- Ability to work independently
- Work in varying temperatures
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- Physical able to do job
- Mobility
- Enjoy hands on work
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does a plumber make?
Typically, a plumber makes around $48,000 a year. Those that have more experience and education can make more.
Q. How to become a licensed plumber?
You must do an apprenticeship for up to five years, and once you have completed your training, you’ll be required to take an exam.
This exam will allow you to become a licensed plumber if you pass it.
Q. How long does it take to become a plumber?
It can take up to five years to become a plumber.
Q. What does a plumber do?
A plumber fixes pipes, installs new fixtures, repairs appliances, and makes sure everything is up to code.
Q. How much does it cost to become a plumber?
An online training program can cost between $800 and $1,000.
An associate’s degree in plumbing, which can take up to two years, costs around $3,000.
Apprenticeships cost between $0 and $500, depending on where you go.
State licensing can cost between $75, and $300, and need to be renewed every two years.