Plumber in Michigan

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

Median annual salary

$77,030

trending_up +22.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Michigan.

engineering

12,830

Jobs (MI)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$200

Est. total cost

schedule

3 years (for Journey Plumber license)

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Michigan

To become a licensed Journey Plumber in Michigan, individuals must be at least 18 years old and accumulate 6,000 hours of experience over a minimum of three years as a registered plumbing apprentice under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. The licensing body is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Michigan Journey Plumber Examination and pay the associated application and examination fees. Michigan does not offer reciprocity with other states, meaning out-of-state plumbers must pass the Michigan exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $41,710

25th percentile $50,150

50th (median) $77,030

75th percentile $91,590

90th (experienced) $100,620

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

checklist Michigan requirements

Licensing body	Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes
State license	Required
Education	No specific education prerequisite beyond age and experience, though technical school or college can contribute to experience hours.
Experience	6,000.0 hours
Exam	Michigan Journey Plumber Examination ($100)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	3.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for Journey Plumber is 18. Master Plumber requires 2 years (4000 hours) as a licensed Journey Plumber. Continuing education is required once per code cycle, typically a 3-hour code update course. The most recent code update requires completion by March 12, 2025. Local municipalities may have additional licensing or permitting requirements.

Source: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes

workspace_premium Michigan license tiers

Michigan offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journey	6,000
Master	10,000

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 ÷ $77,030 median salary

check_circleMichigan 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

What's required to work as a plumber in Michigan? expand_more

Michigan requires plumbers to complete the required education (No specific education prerequisite beyond age and experience, though technical school or college can contribute to experience hours.), gain 6,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Michigan Journey Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($40 fee).

Does Michigan require plumber licensure? expand_more

Michigan mandates state licensure for plumbers. Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees the process, which includes passing the Michigan Journey Plumber Examination.

What is the average plumber salary in Michigan? expand_more

plumbers in Michigan earn a median of $77,030 annually. This exceeds the $62,970 national median by 22%. Wages range from $41,710 (10th percentile) up to $100,620 (90th percentile).

How expensive is plumber licensing in Michigan? expand_more

Between exam fee ($100) and application fee ($40), expect to invest around $200 in total to get started.

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

In Michigan, becoming a plumber generally takes 3 years (for Journey Plumber license), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a plumber license in Michigan? expand_more

Michigan requires 3.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your plumber license.