Plumber in Alaska

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$83,090

trending_up +32.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Alaska.

engineering

870

Jobs (AK)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$300

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years (apprenticeship) or 8000 hours of experience

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Alaska

To become a certified Journeyman Plumber in Alaska, individuals must obtain a Certificate of Fitness from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section of the Labor Standards and Safety Division. This typically requires 8,000 hours of legally obtained work experience in commercial/residential plumbing, which can include up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training. Applicants must pass the Alaska Journeyman Plumber Certificate of Fitness Examination, which is an open-book exam based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code. While Alaska does not have direct reciprocity agreements with other states, those who completed a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship elsewhere may only need to pass the Alaska exam. To own a plumbing business, a Mechanical Administrator license and a general contractor license are also required.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $61,610

25th percentile $65,900

50th (median) $83,090

75th percentile $96,770

90th (experienced) $105,800

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Alaska. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Alaska requirements

Licensing body	Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section of the Labor Standards and Safety Division
State license	Required
Education	Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent experience. Up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training may be substituted for work experience.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Alaska Journeyman Plumber Certificate of Fitness Examination ($50)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for Journeyman Plumber is 18 years old. Experience must include at least 8,000 hours in commercial/residential plumbing. A Mechanical Administrator license and a general contractor license are required to own a plumbing business. Exams are open book and based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code, requiring a minimum score of 70%.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section of the Labor Standards and Safety Division

workspace_premium Alaska license tiers

Alaska offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman	8,000
Mechanical Contractor	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$300 investment ÷ $83,090 median salary

check_circleAlaska license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a plumber in Alaska? expand_more

The path to plumber licensure in Alaska: complete the required education (Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent experience. Up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training may be substituted for work experience.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Alaska Journeyman Plumber Certificate of Fitness Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Is a plumber license required in Alaska? expand_more

Yes, Alaska requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection Section of the Labor Standards and Safety Division. You must pass the Alaska Journeyman Plumber Certificate of Fitness Examination.

How much do plumbers make in Alaska? expand_more

In Alaska, the median pay for plumbers comes to $83,090/year. That's 32% above the national median of $62,970. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $61,610, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $105,800.

How much does it cost to become a plumber in Alaska? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($50) and application fee ($50). The estimated total investment is $300, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become a plumber in Alaska? expand_more

Expect to spend 4 years (apprenticeship) or 8000 hours of experience from start to finish in Alaska — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Alaska? expand_more

Alaska requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your plumber license.