Plumber in New Jersey

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

Median annual salary

$77,160

trending_up +22.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Jersey.

engineering

9,840

Jobs (NJ)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$400

Est. total cost

schedule

5 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in New Jersey

To become a licensed Master Plumber in New Jersey, individuals must meet specific education and experience requirements set by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. This typically involves completing a four-year registered apprenticeship program followed by one year of experience as a journeyman plumber, or holding a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field plus one year of journeyman experience. Applicants must then pass the New Jersey Master Plumber Examination, which includes practical, written, and business and law sections, and pay the associated application and exam fees. While New Jersey does not have formal reciprocity agreements, the board may consider applicants licensed in other states if their standards are comparable and the other state reciprocates. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and secure a $3,000 surety bond.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $50,430

25th percentile $63,940

50th (median) $77,160

75th percentile $109,170

90th (experienced) $133,260

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

checklist New Jersey requirements

Licensing body	New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a registered apprenticeship program OR a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering from an accredited college or university.
Experience	10,000.0 hours
Exam	New Jersey Master Plumber Examination (Practical, Written, Business and Law) ($240)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	5.0 hours per cycle
Notes	New Jersey only licenses Master Plumbers. To qualify, one must be at least 21 years old and complete a 4-year apprenticeship and then work for 1 year as a journeyman plumber (total of 5 years experience). There is no state-issued journeyman license; it is a prerequisite status. A $3,000 surety bond is required for licensure.

Source: New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers

workspace_premium New Jersey license tiers

New Jersey offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Master Plumber	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

~$400 investment ÷ $77,160 median salary

check_circleNew Jersey 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 are the steps to becoming a plumber in New Jersey? expand_more

To become a plumber in New Jersey, you need to complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program OR a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering from an accredited college or university.), gain 10,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the New Jersey Master Plumber Examination (Practical, Written, Business and Law), and submit your application ($100 fee).

Does New Jersey require plumber licensure? expand_more

Yes, New Jersey requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. You must pass the New Jersey Master Plumber Examination (Practical, Written, Business and Law).

How much does a plumber make in New Jersey? expand_more

New Jersey plumbers bring home a median salary of $77,160. That's 23% above the national median of $62,970. The range spans from $50,430 at the entry level to $133,260 for top earners.

How expensive is plumber licensing in New Jersey? expand_more

Plan on spending $400 total — that covers exam fee ($240) and application fee ($100) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a plumber in New Jersey? expand_more

In New Jersey, becoming a plumber generally takes 5 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does New Jersey require continuing education for plumbers? expand_more

New Jersey requires 5.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your plumber license.