Plumber in Maine

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

Median annual salary

$61,890

trending_down -1.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maine.

engineering

2,480

Jobs (ME)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$300

Est. total cost

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Maine

To become a Journeyman Plumber in Maine, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and complete either 4,000 hours of work as a licensed trainee plumber or 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman-in-training. Applicants must pass the Maine Journeyman Plumber Examination with a score of 70% or higher. The application fee is $200, and there is an additional $65 exam fee and a $21 background check fee. Licenses are renewed every two years, and currently, there are no continuing education requirements. Maine offers reciprocity to plumbers licensed in other states if their qualifications are deemed equivalent.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,810

25th percentile $58,590

50th (median) $61,890

75th percentile $75,320

90th (experienced) $80,380

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

checklist Maine requirements

Licensing body	Plumbers' Examining Board
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED
Experience	4,000.0 hours
Exam	Maine Journeyman Plumber Examination ($65)
Application fee	$200
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Notes	Minimum age for Journeyman is 18 years old. Requires a background check with a $21 fee. Master Plumber requires 2,000 hours (1 year) as a licensed Journeyman or 8,000 hours (4 years) as a licensed Trainee. Journeyman-in-Training license is non-renewable and lasts for four years.

Source: Plumbers' Examining Board

workspace_premium Maine license tiers

Maine offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Trainee	N/A
Journeyman	4,000
Master	6,000

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 ÷ $61,890 median salary

check_circleMaine 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 Maine? expand_more

Maine requires plumbers to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 4,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Maine Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($200 fee).

Does Maine require plumber licensure? expand_more

Yes, Maine requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Plumbers' Examining Board. You must pass the Maine Journeyman Plumber Examination.

What is the average plumber salary in Maine? expand_more

plumbers in Maine earn a median of $61,890 annually. That's roughly in line with the $62,970 national median. Wages range from $47,810 (10th percentile) up to $80,380 (90th percentile).

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

Between exam fee ($65) and application fee ($200), expect to invest around $300 in total to get started.

How many months or years does plumber certification take in Maine? expand_more

Most candidates in Maine complete the process in 2-4 years, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.