Plumber
License requirements, cost and salary by state
Plumbers install, repair, and maintain water supply lines, drainage systems, gas piping, and fixtures in residential and commercial buildings. Like electricians, most states use a tiered license system (apprentice through master) requiring years of supervised work. Plumbers also need EPA Section 608 certification for handling refrigerants in some crossover work.
Time to certify
Required exam
Exam cost
Education
Renewal
Annual openings
What it's actually like
A day-to-day reality check, grounded in current practitioner sources — not just the salary math.
Hours / week
Shifts: 8-10 hours.
Weekends
Where you work: residential homes, commercial buildings, factories.
Physical demand
HighThe job requires lifting and carrying heavy materials up to 90 pounds, climbing ladders, and working for long periods in cramped, awkward positions.
Stress level
ModerateStress stems from emergency calls at all hours, dealing with distraught clients, and the pressure to quickly diagnose and solve complex problems.
A typical shift
- Review the day's service calls or project blueprints to prepare.
- Load the work vehicle with necessary tools, equipment, and parts.
- Travel to residential or commercial sites to diagnose plumbing issues.
- Install, repair, or replace pipes, fixtures, and appliances like water heaters and toilets.
- Cut, weld, and assemble pipes, tubes, fittings, and fixtures.
- Inspect and test plumbing systems to ensure they are compliant with local codes.
- Communicate with clients to explain the problem, the proposed solution, and prepare cost estimates.
check_circle Best fit if
- —You enjoy hands-on problem-solving and can think on your feet to diagnose issues.
- —You are physically fit and don't mind working in tight, uncomfortable spaces or getting dirty.
- —You have strong communication skills for explaining complex issues to customers and managing their stress.
- —You want a career where you can earn a good wage while learning through a paid apprenticeship, avoiding college debt.
cancel Skip if
- —You need a predictable 9-to-5 schedule and don't want to work nights, weekends, or be on-call for emergencies.
- —You are squeamish about dealing with raw sewage, mold, or other hazardous materials.
- —You have claustrophobia or are uncomfortable working in cramped and confined spaces like crawlspaces or under sinks.
- —You aren't prepared for a physically demanding job that involves heavy lifting and strain on your body.
Sources cited (20)
The Landscape
Looking at the national picture for plumbers, clear regional patterns emerge regarding earning potential and regulatory landscapes. The Northeast and upper Midwest, including states like Illinois at $99,950, Oregon at $97,050, and Minnesota at $94,410, consistently offer top-tier median salaries. This often reflects higher costs of living and robust demand in dense urban centers, creating a competitive market for skilled trades.
However, not all high-paying states follow standard licensing models. New York, for instance, offers a median salary of $77,490 without a statewide license, meaning local city and county regulations are paramount and can be quite stringent, especially in metropolitan areas. In contrast, states like Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Wyoming also lack statewide licensing, but their plumbers earn closer to the national median or below, suggesting local oversight might be less rigorous or market demand is lower.
The journey to licensure itself varies significantly. While many states demand around 8,000 hours of experience, a few like Hawaii and New Jersey extend this to 10,000 hours, prolonging the apprenticeship path. Conversely, states such as Delaware, Kentucky, and Maine require as few as 4,000 hours, offering a quicker entry point into the profession, though often with lower initial earning potential. A closely-related path worth comparing is the Electrician certification. Weighing the skilled trades? Our Plumber vs. Electrician breakdown compares licensing hours, earnings, and regional demand side by side. You can also compare Plumber vs. HVAC Technician on the same dimensions.
Plumber by State
Licensing cost, reciprocity, and median pay across all 50 states.
| State | License | Licensing cost | Reciprocity | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $160 | Re-exam | $58,670 | -8.0% |
| Alaska | Yes | $100 | Re-exam | $93,920 | +47.2% |
| Arizona | Yes | $847 | Endorsement | $62,070 | -2.7% |
| Arkansas | Yes | $150 | Endorsement | $48,660 | -23.7% |
| California | Yes | $550 | Endorsement | $72,830 | +14.2% |
| Colorado | Yes | $72 | Endorsement | $63,240 | -0.9% |
| Connecticut | Yes | $220 | None | $77,280 | +21.1% |
| Delaware | Yes | $273 | Endorsement | $64,720 | +1.4% |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $117 | Endorsement | $101,020 | +58.3% |
| Florida | Yes | $544 | Endorsement | $52,910 | -17.1% |
| Georgia | Yes | $125 | None | $57,200 | -10.3% |
| Hawaii | Yes | $130 | None | $78,060 | +22.4% |
| Idaho | Yes | $125 | Endorsement | $52,380 | -17.9% |
| Illinois | Yes | $325 | Endorsement | $99,950 | +56.7% |
| Indiana | Yes | $105 | None | $76,320 | +19.6% |
| Iowa | Yes | $299 | Endorsement | $63,890 | +0.1% |
| Kansas | No | — | Endorsement | $65,220 | +2.2% |
| Kentucky | Yes | $110 | Endorsement | $64,160 | +0.6% |
| Louisiana | Yes | $175 | Endorsement | $63,680 | -0.2% |
| Maine | Yes | $265 | Endorsement | $64,000 | +0.3% |
| Maryland | Yes | $108 | Endorsement | $65,400 | +2.5% |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $83 | Endorsement | $93,880 | +47.1% |
| Michigan | Yes | $140 | Re-exam | $80,190 | +25.7% |
| Minnesota | Yes | $90 | Endorsement | $94,410 | +48.0% |
| Mississippi | Yes | $500 | Re-exam | $55,480 | -13.0% |
| Missouri | No | — | None | $66,790 | +4.7% |
| Montana | Yes | $520 | Endorsement | $79,960 | +25.3% |
| Nebraska | No | — | None | $60,970 | -4.4% |
| Nevada | Yes | $425 | Endorsement | $61,610 | -3.4% |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $270 | Endorsement | $66,810 | +4.7% |
| New Jersey | Yes | $340 | Endorsement | $78,240 | +22.6% |
| New Mexico | Yes | $213 | Endorsement | $61,440 | -3.7% |
| New York | No | $1,165 | None | $77,490 | +21.5% |
| North Carolina | Yes | $175 | Re-exam | $57,080 | -10.5% |
| North Dakota | Yes | $100 | Endorsement | $63,560 | -0.4% |
| Ohio | No | $163 | Endorsement | $63,330 | -0.7% |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $167 | Endorsement | $57,970 | -9.1% |
| Oregon | Yes | $405 | Endorsement | $97,050 | +52.1% |
| Pennsylvania | No | — | No license | $68,080 | +6.7% |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $130 | Endorsement | $76,470 | +19.9% |
| South Carolina | Yes | $500 | Endorsement | $53,940 | -15.5% |
| South Dakota | Yes | $205 | Endorsement | $51,620 | -19.1% |
| Tennessee | Yes | $132 | Re-exam | $58,600 | -8.2% |
| Texas | Yes | $80 | Endorsement | $59,840 | -6.2% |
| Utah | Yes | $279 | Endorsement | $61,900 | -3.0% |
| Vermont | Yes | $170 | Endorsement | $62,170 | -2.6% |
| Virginia | Yes | $230 | Endorsement | $60,470 | -5.2% |
| Washington | Yes | $270 | Endorsement | $81,030 | +27.0% |
| West Virginia | Yes | $135 | Endorsement | $56,980 | -10.7% |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $30 | Re-exam | $81,210 | +27.3% |
| Wyoming | No | $60 | No license | $62,410 | -2.2% |
Related Certifications
Compare Plumber head-to-head
All comparisons →Weighing a Plumber career against another credential? Pay, training time, and licensing side-by-side.