Plumber in Maryland

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

Median annual salary
$63,270
trending_up +0.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maryland.

engineering
11,490

Jobs (MD)

monitoring Strong
+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$150

Est. total cost

schedule
4 years (apprenticeship) + 2 years (journeyman)

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Maryland

To become a Journey Plumber in Maryland, individuals must complete a registered apprenticeship program, which typically takes four years and includes 7,500 hours of experience and 32 hours of backflow prevention training. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter Examination. The licensing body is the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. Maryland offers reciprocity for Master Plumber/Gasfitter licenses with Delaware, and for both Journeyman and Master Plumber/Gasfitter licenses with Baltimore County, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), and the District of Columbia.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $42,730
25th percentile $49,390
50th (median) $63,270
75th percentile $81,280
90th (experienced) $105,610

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

checklist Maryland requirements

Licensing bodyMaryland State Board of Plumbing
State license Required
EducationCompletion of a registered apprenticeship program.
Experience7,500.0 hours
ExamMaryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter Examination ($65)
Application fee$44
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesMinimum age for an apprentice license is 16 years old. To become a Master Plumber, an individual must hold a Journey Plumber license for at least two years and complete an additional 3,750 hours of training under a licensed Master Plumber. Master Plumbers are also required to carry general liability insurance ($300,000) and property damage insurance ($100,000).

Source: Maryland State Board of Plumbing

workspace_premium Maryland license tiers

Maryland offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier Hours required
Apprentice N/A
Journey 7,500
Master 11,250

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
~$150 investment ÷ $63,270 median salary
  • check_circleMaryland 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.
arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a plumber in Maryland? expand_more
In Maryland, becoming a plumber requires you to complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program.), gain 7,500.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter Examination, and submit your application ($44 fee).
Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Maryland? expand_more
You cannot practice as a plumber in Maryland without a state license from Maryland State Board of Plumbing. The required exam is the Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter Examination.
How much do plumbers make in Maryland? expand_more
Maryland plumbers bring home a median salary of $63,270. This is close to the national median of $62,970. The range spans from $42,730 at the entry level to $105,610 for top earners.
What's the total cost to get plumber certified in Maryland? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about $150, factoring in exam fee ($65) and application fee ($44) and required training.
How quickly can I become a plumber in Maryland? expand_more
Most candidates in Maryland complete the process in 4 years (apprenticeship) + 2 years (journeyman), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Explore more