Plumber in Oklahoma

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

Median annual salary

$54,840

trending_down -12.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oklahoma.

engineering

7,110

Jobs (OK)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

3 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Oklahoma

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Oklahoma, individuals must be at least 18 years old and accumulate 6,000 hours (approximately three years) of experience working under a licensed plumbing contractor. Candidates must then pass the Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber Examination, administered by PSI, and pay the associated application and exam fees. Oklahoma has a reciprocity agreement with Arkansas for journeyman plumbers, allowing licensed individuals from Arkansas to apply for an Oklahoma license without re-taking the exam, provided they meet specific criteria.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,190

25th percentile $43,970

50th (median) $54,840

75th percentile $70,560

90th (experienced) $79,880

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

checklist Oklahoma requirements

Licensing body	Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED
Experience	6,000.0 hours
Exam	Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber Examination ($92)
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	6.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for an apprentice is 16, and 18 for a Journeyman. An associate's degree or career tech diploma with 1,000 classroom hours can substitute for two years of experience, or 500 classroom hours for one year. Licenses must be renewed annually by the last day of the licensee's birth month. Continuing education is required every three years.

Source: Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)

workspace_premium Oklahoma license tiers

Oklahoma offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	6,000
Contractor	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 ÷ $54,840 median salary

check_circleOklahoma 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 Oklahoma? expand_more

Oklahoma requires plumbers to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 6,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($75 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Oklahoma? expand_more

You cannot practice as a plumber in Oklahoma without a state license from Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB). The required exam is the Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much does a plumber make in Oklahoma? expand_more

Oklahoma plumbers bring home a median salary of $54,840. This trails the $62,970 national median by 13%. The range spans from $37,190 at the entry level to $79,880 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get plumber certified in Oklahoma? expand_more

Between exam fee ($92) and application fee ($75), expect to invest around $250 in total to get started.

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

Expect to spend 3 years from start to finish in Oklahoma — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a plumber license in Oklahoma? expand_more

License renewal in Oklahoma requires completing 6.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.