Plumber in Delaware

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

Median annual salary

$64,300

trending_up +2.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Delaware.

engineering

1,570

Jobs (DE)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$300

Est. total cost

schedule

4-7 years (apprenticeship to Master Plumber)

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Delaware

To become a licensed plumber in Delaware, individuals must be at least 18 years old and typically complete a registered apprenticeship program, which usually takes four years with classroom training. Alternatively, seven years of verifiable work experience under a master licensee may be accepted. Master Plumbers must pass the Master Plumber Examination, administered by Prov, and pay an application fee of $173.00 and an exam fee of $100.00. Delaware offers reciprocity for Master Plumbers from certain states, with varying experience requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,630

25th percentile $48,360

50th (median) $64,300

75th percentile $77,010

90th (experienced) $86,900

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

checklist Delaware requirements

Licensing body	Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a registered apprenticeship program (typically 4 years with 144 hours/year classroom training) or 7 years of verifiable work experience under a master licensee if no journeyman certificate. For Master Plumber, must have a journeyman certificate and 2 years of work experience as a journeyman, or 7 years of verifiable work experience.
Exam	Master Plumber Examination (administered by Prov) ($100)
Application fee	$173
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	5.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. High school diploma or GED required for apprentices. Continuing education of 5 hours per cycle will be required starting October 31, 2026. Master Plumbers must pass an exam. Journeyman plumbers are licensed but do not take an exam, rather they must complete an apprenticeship and then apply for the license. Background checks are required for all licensees.

Source: Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners

workspace_premium Delaware license tiers

Delaware offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	4,000
Master	14,000

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 ÷ $64,300 median salary

check_circleDelaware 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.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

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

The path to plumber licensure in Delaware: complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program (typically 4 years with 144 hours/year classroom training) or 7 years of verifiable work experience under a master licensee if no journeyman certificate. For Master Plumber, must have a journeyman certificate and 2 years of work experience as a journeyman, or 7 years of verifiable work experience.), pass the Master Plumber Examination (administered by Prov), and submit your application ($173 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Delaware? expand_more

Yes, Delaware requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners. You must pass the Master Plumber Examination (administered by Prov).

What is the average plumber salary in Delaware? expand_more

plumbers in Delaware earn a median of $64,300 annually. — within a few percent of the $62,970 national figure. New plumbers start around $40,630; seasoned professionals can reach $86,900.

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

Between exam fee ($100) and application fee ($173), expect to invest around $300 in total to get started.

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

Most candidates in Delaware complete the process in 4-7 years (apprenticeship to Master Plumber), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Delaware? expand_more

Delaware requires 5.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your plumber license.