Plumber in Georgia

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

Median annual salary

$56,290

trending_down -10.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering

7,530

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$300

Est. total cost

schedule

3-5 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Georgia

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Georgia, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and document a minimum of three years of plumbing experience. Applicants must pass the Georgia Journeyman Plumber Examination and submit an application with a fee to the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. While Georgia does not offer reciprocity with other states for plumbing licenses, continuing education of eight hours per two-year cycle is required for renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,990

25th percentile $44,810

50th (median) $56,290

75th percentile $72,200

90th (experienced) $83,070

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

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing body	Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers
State license	Required
Education	None
Experience	4,000.0 hours
Exam	Georgia Journeyman Plumber Examination ($85)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for licensure is 18 years old. A high school diploma or GED is required. A clean criminal background check is also required. Journeyman Plumber requires 3 years of experience. Master Plumber requires 5 years of experience, with at least 2 of those years as a licensed Journeyman. All applicants need three references from licensed plumbers, with at least one being a Master Plumber for Journeyman applicants, and at least two being Master Plumbers for Master Plumber applicants. If you fail the exam twice, you must complete a review course before a third attempt.

Source: Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers

workspace_premium Georgia license tiers

Georgia offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman	6,000
Master Class I (Restricted)	10,000
Master Class II (Unrestricted)	10,000

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 ÷ $56,290 median salary

check_circleGeorgia 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 Georgia? expand_more

To become a plumber in Georgia, you need to complete the required education (None), gain 4,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Georgia Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($40 fee).

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

Georgia mandates state licensure for plumbers. Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers oversees the process, which includes passing the Georgia Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much does a plumber make in Georgia? expand_more

In Georgia, the median pay for plumbers comes to $56,290/year. That's 11% below the national median of $62,970. New plumbers start around $36,990; seasoned professionals can reach $83,070.

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

The full cost to enter the field runs about $300, factoring in exam fee ($85) and application fee ($40) and required training.

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

In Georgia, becoming a plumber generally takes 3-5 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does Georgia require continuing education for plumbers? expand_more

Georgia requires 8.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your plumber license.