Plumber in New York
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NY. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, New York.
Jobs (NY)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in New York
To become a licensed plumber in New York, individuals must obtain a license from the local city or county jurisdiction where they intend to work, as there is no statewide plumber's license. For example, in New York City, the Department of Buildings issues Master Plumber licenses, which require applicants to be at least 21 years old, possess seven years of plumbing experience (including two as a registered journeyman in NYC), and pass both written and practical examinations. Additionally, applicants typically need to demonstrate good moral character, be able to read and write English, and maintain various insurance coverages. Reciprocity is not statewide, but some municipalities may have agreements with other local jurisdictions.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New York. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist New York requirements
| Licensing body | Local Jurisdictions (e.g., New York City Department of Buildings, Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, Nassau County Department of Consumer Affairs) |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED (for Journeyman in NYC); Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or engineering technology (alternative path for Master Plumber in NYC) |
| Exam | Written and Practical Exams (for Master Plumber in NYC) ($1,115) |
| Application fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | New York State does not issue plumber licenses. Licensing is handled by cities and counties. For NYC Master Plumbers, applicants must be at least 21 years old, have 7 years of experience (including 2 as a registered journeyman in NYC), pass written and practical exams, and undergo a background investigation. Journeyman plumbers in NYC need 5 years of experience (1 in NYC) or a NYS registered training program plus 1 year NYC experience, and must be at least 18 years old. Insurance (general liability, workers' compensation, disability) is generally required. Business registration with the NY Department of State is also necessary for operating a plumbing business. |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk