Plumber in Kansas

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

Median annual salary
$62,820
trending_down -0.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kansas.

engineering
4,090

Jobs (KS)

monitoring Strong
+4.5%

10-yr job growth

schedule
Varies by jurisdiction

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Kansas

To become a plumber in Kansas, you must obtain a license through local city or county jurisdictions, as there is no statewide plumbing license. For example, in Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita, the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) issues journeyman and master plumber certificates. Aspiring journeyman plumbers typically need one year of field experience and one year of trade school, or two years of field experience, and must pass an approved exam. Master plumbers generally require two years of experience as a journeyman plumber or four years of field experience and must pass a master plumber exam. While there are no statewide reciprocity agreements, the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP) may evaluate out-of-state credentials for licensure by endorsement.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,260
25th percentile $47,840
50th (median) $62,820
75th percentile $82,740
90th (experienced) $104,300

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

checklist Kansas requirements

Licensing bodyN/A (Local Jurisdictions)
State license Not required
NotesKansas does not have a statewide licensing requirement for plumbers. Licensing is handled at the city and county level. Requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions like Wichita (Sedgwick County), Kansas City, and Topeka. Most programs require applicants to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. For Sedgwick County/Wichita, journeyman plumbers need one year of field experience and one year of trade school, or two years of field experience, and must pass an approved exam. Master plumbers need two years of experience as a journeyman plumber or four years of field experience and must pass a master plumber exam. Johnson County requires a Class D plumbing contractor license for plumbing work, which requires four years of plumbing experience or a journeyman license from another state and passing a contractor examination.

Source: N/A (Local Jurisdictions)

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?

  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a plumber in Kansas? expand_more
Reach out to Kansas's licensing board for the current plumber certification pathway.
Is a state license required for plumbers in Kansas? expand_more
Kansas does not require a state license for plumbers. Note: Kansas does not have a statewide licensing requirement for plumbers. Licensing is handled at the city and county level. Requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions like Wichita (Sedgwick County), Kansas City, and Topeka. Most programs require applicants to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. For Sedgwick County/Wichita, journeyman plumbers need one year of field experience and one year of trade school, or two years of field experience, and must pass an approved exam. Master plumbers need two years of experience as a journeyman plumber or four years of field experience and must pass a master plumber exam. Johnson County requires a Class D plumbing contractor license for plumbing work, which requires four years of plumbing experience or a journeyman license from another state and passing a contractor examination.
What is the average plumber salary in Kansas? expand_more
Kansas plumbers bring home a median salary of $62,820. — within a few percent of the $62,970 national figure. New plumbers start around $39,260; seasoned professionals can reach $104,300.
How quickly can I become a plumber in Kansas? expand_more
The typical timeline in Kansas is Varies by jurisdiction. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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