Plumber in Kentucky

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

Median annual salary

$62,370

trending_down -1.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.

engineering

5,500

Jobs (KY)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$200

Est. total cost

schedule

2 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Kentucky

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Kentucky, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and complete either two consecutive years as an apprentice plumber or a department-approved course with one year of apprenticeship experience. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Kentucky Journeyman Plumber Examination and pay the associated fees. Licenses are issued by the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing and must be renewed annually with 6 hours of continuing education. While Kentucky does not have universal reciprocity, it may grant licenses to plumbers from other states on a case-by-case basis if specific conditions regarding codes and exams are met.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,210

25th percentile $47,710

50th (median) $62,370

75th percentile $82,920

90th (experienced) $92,970

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

checklist Kentucky requirements

Licensing body	Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED
Experience	4,000.0 hours
Exam	Kentucky Journeyman Plumber Examination ($50)
Application fee	$60
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	6.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or GED equivalent. A background check is required. Journeyman Plumber requires two consecutive years as an apprentice plumber OR completion of a department-approved course with at least one year of experience as an apprentice. Master Plumber requires two years of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber within the past five years. Master Plumbers must also provide proof of general liability insurance of at least $250,000 and compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws if they have employees.

Source: Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing

workspace_premium Kentucky license tiers

Kentucky offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman	4,000
Master	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 ÷ $62,370 median salary

check_circleKentucky 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 I become a plumber in Kentucky? expand_more

To become a plumber in Kentucky, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 4,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Kentucky Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($60 fee).

Is a plumber license required in Kentucky? expand_more

Yes, Kentucky requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing. You must pass the Kentucky Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much do plumbers make in Kentucky? expand_more

Kentucky plumbers bring home a median salary of $62,370. — within a few percent of the $62,970 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $39,210, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $92,970.

How expensive is plumber licensing in Kentucky? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($50) and application fee ($60). The estimated total investment is $200, including education and training.

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

In Kentucky, becoming a plumber generally takes 2 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Kentucky? expand_more

License renewal in Kentucky requires completing 6.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.