Plumber in North Dakota

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

Median annual salary

$62,670

trending_down -0.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering

1,650

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years apprenticeship

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in North Dakota

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in North Dakota, individuals must first complete a four-year apprenticeship program with 7,600 hours of experience under a licensed Master Plumber. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination. The licensing body is the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, and licenses must be renewed annually by December 31st, with 4 hours of continuing education required every two years for Journeyman and Master plumbers. North Dakota offers reciprocity with South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $44,940

25th percentile $48,810

50th (median) $62,670

75th percentile $77,610

90th (experienced) $89,630

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

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing body	North Dakota State Plumbing Board
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED
Experience	7,600.0 hours
Exam	North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination ($50)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	4.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for Apprentice license is 18 years old. Journeyman Plumber exam requires 4 years and 7600 hours of experience as an apprentice plumber. Master Plumber requires 21 years of age and 2 years (3400 hours) of experience as a licensed Journeyman plumber. Licenses expire annually on December 31st. Continuing education of 4 hours is required every two years (even-numbered years) for Journeyman and Master plumbers.

Source: North Dakota State Plumbing Board

workspace_premium North Dakota license tiers

North Dakota offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
Master	12,000

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

~$250 investment ÷ $62,670 median salary

check_circleNorth Dakota 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 you get certified as a plumber in North Dakota? expand_more

The path to plumber licensure in North Dakota: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 7,600.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Is a plumber license required in North Dakota? expand_more

Yes, North Dakota requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is North Dakota State Plumbing Board. You must pass the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination.

What do plumbers earn in North Dakota? expand_more

The median plumber salary in North Dakota is $62,670 per year. That's roughly in line with the $62,970 national median. New plumbers start around $44,940; seasoned professionals can reach $89,630.

How much does it cost to become a plumber in North Dakota? expand_more

Plan on spending $250 total — that covers exam fee ($50) and application fee ($50) plus your education and training.

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

In North Dakota, becoming a plumber generally takes 4 years apprenticeship, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in North Dakota? expand_more

License renewal in North Dakota requires completing 4.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.