Plumber in Idaho

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

Median annual salary

$57,380

trending_down -8.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Idaho.

engineering

3,710

Jobs (ID)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$200

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Idaho

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Idaho, individuals must complete a four-year approved apprenticeship program, which includes 8,000 hours of work experience and 576 hours of classroom instruction, or accrue 16,000 hours of work experience. The licensing body is the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). After meeting the experience and education requirements, applicants must pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination and then submit an application with the associated fees. Idaho offers reciprocity for journeyman plumbers licensed in Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,340

25th percentile $45,420

50th (median) $57,380

75th percentile $69,510

90th (experienced) $79,550

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

checklist Idaho requirements

Licensing body	Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a four-year approved apprentice training program (576 hours of classroom instruction) OR 16,000 hours of work experience.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination ($75)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Notes	Minimum age for apprentice registration is 16. Journeyman plumbers must pass the exam before applying for a license. As of October 2023, continuing education is no longer required for journeyman plumbers.

Source: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)

workspace_premium Idaho license tiers

Idaho offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
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

~$200 investment ÷ $57,380 median salary

check_circleIdaho 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

How do you get certified as a plumber in Idaho? expand_more

Idaho requires plumbers to complete the required education (Completion of a four-year approved apprentice training program (576 hours of classroom instruction) OR 16,000 hours of work experience.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Does Idaho require plumber licensure? expand_more

Idaho mandates state licensure for plumbers. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) oversees the process, which includes passing the Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination.

What is the average plumber salary in Idaho? expand_more

The median plumber salary in Idaho is $57,380 per year. That's 9% below the national median of $62,970. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $39,340, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $79,550.

What are the fees to become a plumber in Idaho? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about $200, factoring in exam fee ($75) and application fee ($50) and required training.

How quickly can I become a plumber in Idaho? expand_more

Expect to spend 4 years from start to finish in Idaho — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.