Plumber in Ohio

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

Median annual salary

$62,530

trending_down -0.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Ohio.

engineering

14,490

Jobs (OH)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

5 years of experience prior to application

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Ohio

To become a licensed plumbing contractor in Ohio, individuals must obtain a commercial plumbing contractor license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). This requires at least five years of experience as a plumbing tradesperson on projects requiring a permit, passing the Ohio Plumbing Contractor Examination and the Business and Law Exam, and submitting a notarized application with a $25 fee. Applicants must also pass state and federal background checks and provide proof of at least $500,000 in contractor liability insurance. Reciprocity is available with Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,720

25th percentile $49,020

50th (median) $62,530

75th percentile $82,080

90th (experienced) $96,310

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

checklist Ohio requirements

Licensing body	Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)
State license	Not required
Education	None
Experience	10,000.0 hours
Exam	Ohio Plumbing Contractor Examination & Business and Law Exam ($138)
Application fee	$25
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	The state license is for commercial plumbing contractors. Residential plumbing work may be regulated at the local level. The 5 years of experience must be on projects requiring a permit. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal alien, pass a state and federal background check, and carry a minimum of $500,000 contractor liability insurance. Some local jurisdictions may also require a bond.

Source: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)

workspace_premium Ohio license tiers

Ohio offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Plumbing Contractor	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

~$250 investment ÷ $62,530 median salary

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
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.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

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

In Ohio, becoming a plumber requires you to complete the required education (None), gain 10,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Ohio Plumbing Contractor Examination & Business and Law Exam, and submit your application ($25 fee).

Is a state license required for plumbers in Ohio? expand_more

Ohio does not require a state license for plumbers. Note: The state license is for commercial plumbing contractors. Residential plumbing work may be regulated at the local level. The 5 years of experience must be on projects requiring a permit. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal alien, pass a state and federal background check, and carry a minimum of $500,000 contractor liability insurance. Some local jurisdictions may also require a bond.

How much do plumbers make in Ohio? expand_more

plumbers in Ohio earn a median of $62,530 annually. This is close to the national median of $62,970. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $40,720, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $96,310.

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

Costs include exam fee ($138) and application fee ($25). The estimated total investment is $250, including education and training.

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

Most candidates in Ohio complete the process in 5 years of experience prior to application, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Ohio? expand_more

To keep your license active, Ohio mandates 8.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.