Plumber in Vermont

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

Median annual salary

$60,550

trending_down -3.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Vermont.

engineering

960

Jobs (VT)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

4-6 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Vermont

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Vermont, individuals must complete an approved apprenticeship program or demonstrate 12,000 hours of on-the-job training, pass the Vermont Journeyman Plumber Examination, and pay a $90 application fee. The licensing body is the Vermont Division of Fire Safety. Licenses must be renewed every two years, requiring 8 hours of continuing education per cycle, including 2 hours of code review and an energy goals education module. While Vermont does not have formal reciprocity agreements, the Board may issue licenses to those licensed in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least three years, potentially waiving the exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $46,220

25th percentile $48,770

50th (median) $60,550

75th percentile $78,000

90th (experienced) $91,990

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

checklist Vermont requirements

Licensing body	Vermont Division of Fire Safety
State license	Required
Education	Completion of an approved apprenticeship program.
Experience	12,000.0 hours
Exam	Vermont Journeyman Plumber Examination ($80)
Application fee	$90
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18 years old. Master Plumber requires 12 months of experience as a licensed Journeyman. An energy goals education module is required for initial licensure and renewal. Journeyman applicants need to complete a plumbing apprenticeship with the Vermont State Apprenticeship Council and submit a certificate of completion, or provide proof of 12,000 hours of on-the-job training. Out-of-state journeymen may submit proof of apprenticeship or schooling and 8,000 hours of experience. Master Plumber applicants need to be a licensed Vermont Journeyman Plumber for at least 12 months, or provide proof of 14,000 hours of on-the-job training. Out-of-state master plumbers need a certified letter of licensure from the issuing state, proof of schooling, and 12,000 hours of experience. Reciprocal military licenses require military documents showing honorable discharge, training, and 8,000 hours of experience.

Source: Vermont Division of Fire Safety

workspace_premium Vermont license tiers

Vermont offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
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

~$250 investment ÷ $60,550 median salary

check_circleVermont 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 Vermont? expand_more

To become a plumber in Vermont, you need to complete the required education (Completion of an approved apprenticeship program.), gain 12,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Vermont Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($90 fee).

Is a plumber license required in Vermont? expand_more

Yes, Vermont requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Vermont Division of Fire Safety. You must pass the Vermont Journeyman Plumber Examination.

What do plumbers earn in Vermont? expand_more

plumbers in Vermont earn a median of $60,550 annually. That's roughly in line with the $62,970 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $46,220, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $91,990.

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

Costs include exam fee ($80) and application fee ($90). The estimated total investment is $250, including education and training.

How many months or years does plumber certification take in Vermont? expand_more

In Vermont, becoming a plumber generally takes 4-6 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Vermont? expand_more

To keep your license active, Vermont mandates 8.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.