Plumber in Texas

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

Median annual salary

$58,560

trending_down -7.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

42,290

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$150

Est. total cost

schedule

Approximately 4 years of experience, plus application and exam processing time (typically 6-8 weeks for exam scheduling and 30 days for license arrival).

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Texas

To become a Journeyman Plumber in Texas, individuals must obtain a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). This involves accumulating at least 8,000 hours of plumbing work experience and completing a 48-hour TSBPE-approved training course or a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program. After meeting these prerequisites, applicants must pass the Texas Journeyman Plumber Examination and pay the associated fees. Texas offers reciprocity for Journeyman plumbers from Louisiana (with a Gasfitter License) and Arkansas, though specific experience or exam requirements may apply for Arkansas licensees. All applicants are required to submit fingerprint data for a criminal history check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,320

25th percentile $46,400

50th (median) $58,560

75th percentile $72,390

90th (experienced) $81,510

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

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
State license	Required
Education	48-hour training course approved by the TSBPE or a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, in addition to a high school diploma or GED for Master Plumber applicants.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Texas Journeyman Plumber Examination ($40)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	6.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for Plumber's Apprentice is 16 years old. All applicants must submit fingerprint data for a criminal history check. Master Plumber requires holding a Journeyman license for at least two years, or one year with an approved training program.

Source: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)

workspace_premium Texas license tiers

Texas offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Tradesman Plumber-Limited	4,000
Journeyman	8,000
Master	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

~$150 investment ÷ $58,560 median salary

check_circleTexas 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 I become a plumber in Texas? expand_more

Texas requires plumbers to complete the required education (48-hour training course approved by the TSBPE or a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, in addition to a high school diploma or GED for Master Plumber applicants.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Texas Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($40 fee).

Is a plumber license required in Texas? expand_more

Yes, Texas requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). You must pass the Texas Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much do plumbers make in Texas? expand_more

Texas plumbers bring home a median salary of $58,560. — 7% under the $62,970 national average. New plumbers start around $37,320; seasoned professionals can reach $81,510.

What are the fees to become a plumber in Texas? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($40) and application fee ($40). The estimated total investment is $150, including education and training.

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

The typical timeline in Texas is Approximately 4 years of experience, plus application and exam processing time (typically 6-8 weeks for exam scheduling and 30 days for license arrival).. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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

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