Plumber in Mississippi

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

Median annual salary

$57,960

trending_down -8.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Mississippi.

engineering

3,050

Jobs (MS)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$700

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (depends on experience and exam scheduling)

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Mississippi

To become a licensed plumbing contractor in Mississippi, individuals must apply through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. While there are no specific education or experience hour prerequisites at the state level, applicants typically need a high school diploma or GED and must be at least 18 years old. Key steps include submitting an application with proof of three completed jobs and three reference letters, passing the Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Exam and the Law and Business Management Exam, and paying the associated fees. Reciprocity agreements exist with several states for waiving the trade exam, but the Mississippi Business and Law exam is always required. Residential contractors licensed after July 1, 2015, must complete two hours of continuing education annually for renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,710

25th percentile $43,330

50th (median) $57,960

75th percentile $62,960

90th (experienced) $77,270

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

checklist Mississippi requirements

Licensing body	Mississippi State Board of Contractors
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED, and typically 18 years old.
Exam	Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Exam & Law and Business Management Exam ($100)
Application fee	$400
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	2.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Mississippi licenses plumbing contractors at the state level for residential projects over $10,000 and commercial projects over $50,000. There is no state-level journeyman license; these are handled by local municipalities. Applicants must provide proof of three completed jobs in the requested classification and three reference letters (one from a bank). Commercial applicants need to demonstrate a net worth of at least $50,000, while other applicants need at least $20,000. General liability insurance ($300,000 minimum per occurrence) is required. Residential contractors licensed after July 1, 2015, need 2 hours of continuing education annually.

Source: Mississippi State Board of Contractors

workspace_premium Mississippi license tiers

Mississippi offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Plumbing Contractor	N/A

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

~$700 investment ÷ $57,960 median salary

check_circleMississippi 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 Mississippi? expand_more

The path to plumber licensure in Mississippi: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, and typically 18 years old.), pass the Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Exam & Law and Business Management Exam, and submit your application ($400 fee).

Is a plumber license required in Mississippi? expand_more

Mississippi mandates state licensure for plumbers. Mississippi State Board of Contractors oversees the process, which includes passing the Mississippi Plumbing Contractor Exam & Law and Business Management Exam.

How much do plumbers make in Mississippi? expand_more

plumbers in Mississippi earn a median of $57,960 annually. — 8% under the $62,970 national average. The range spans from $36,710 at the entry level to $77,270 for top earners.

How expensive is plumber licensing in Mississippi? expand_more

Between exam fee ($100) and application fee ($400), expect to invest around $700 in total to get started.

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

The typical timeline in Mississippi is Varies (depends on experience and exam scheduling). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What are the continuing education requirements for plumbers in Mississippi? expand_more

Mississippi requires 2.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your plumber license.