Plumber in Florida

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

Median annual salary
$50,540
trending_down -19.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Florida.

engineering
26,730

Jobs (FL)

monitoring Strong
+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$500

Est. total cost

schedule
4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Florida

To become a Certified Plumbing Contractor in Florida, individuals must obtain a state license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation - Construction Industry Licensing Board. This requires at least four years of experience, which can be a combination of education and practical work, including time as a foreman. Applicants must pass a two-part state certification exam covering Business and Finance and Trade Knowledge, and submit an application with the applicable fees. While Florida does not offer full reciprocity for plumbing licenses, experienced out-of-state contractors may be eligible for licensure by endorsement.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,400
25th percentile $45,400
50th (median) $50,540
75th percentile $61,670
90th (experienced) $67,500

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

checklist Florida requirements

Licensing bodyDepartment of Business and Professional Regulation - Construction Industry Licensing Board
State license Required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamFlorida Plumbing Contractor Examination (Business & Finance, Trade Knowledge) ($295)
Application fee$249
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education14.0 hours per cycle
NotesApplicants must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED. A background check, including fingerprints, is required. Applicants must also demonstrate financial responsibility (FICO score of 660 or higher, or a contractor's bond). General liability insurance ($100,000) and property damage insurance ($25,000) are mandatory, as is workers' compensation insurance (or an exemption). Experience can be a combination of education and work, with specific breakdowns for college credits and foreman experience. The 'time to complete' refers to the experience requirement.

Source: Department of Business and Professional Regulation - Construction Industry Licensing Board

workspace_premium Florida license tiers

Florida offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier Hours required
Certified Plumbing Contractor 8,000

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
~$500 investment รท $50,540 median salary
  • check_circleFlorida license required โ€” clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a plumber in Florida? expand_more
The path to plumber licensure in Florida: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Florida Plumbing Contractor Examination (Business & Finance, Trade Knowledge), and submit your application ($249 fee).
Does Florida require plumber licensure? expand_more
You cannot practice as a plumber in Florida without a state license from Department of Business and Professional Regulation - Construction Industry Licensing Board. The required exam is the Florida Plumbing Contractor Examination (Business & Finance, Trade Knowledge).
What is the average plumber salary in Florida? expand_more
In Florida, the median pay for plumbers comes to $50,540/year. This trails the $62,970 national median by 20%. The range spans from $37,400 at the entry level to $67,500 for top earners.
How expensive is plumber licensing in Florida? expand_more
Plan on spending $500 total โ€” that covers exam fee ($295) and application fee ($249) plus your education and training.
What's the timeline to become a plumber in Florida? expand_more
In Florida, becoming a plumber generally takes 4 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
How many CE hours do plumbers need in Florida? expand_more
License renewal in Florida requires completing 14.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.

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