Plumber in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$79,070

trending_up +25.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

12,210

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Washington

To become a certified plumber in Washington, individuals must be certified by the Washington State Plumber Certification Program, which is part of the Department of Labor & Industries. The main steps include completing an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent, accumulating 8,000 hours of experience (with specific commercial/industrial hours for journeyman plumbers), and passing the Washington State Journeyman Plumber Examination. Washington has a reciprocity agreement for journey level plumbers with Idaho; however, all other out-of-state plumbers must pass the Washington state exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,570

25th percentile $59,760

50th (median) $79,070

75th percentile $106,100

90th (experienced) $139,280

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
State license	Required
Education	Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Washington State Journeyman Plumber Examination ($80)
Application fee	$190
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A Journeyman Plumber (PL01) requires 8,000 hours of experience, with at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial plumbing. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A separate Plumbing Contractor license is required to own a business and perform plumbing work, which has additional requirements including a surety bond and liability insurance.

Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

workspace_premium Washington license tiers

Washington offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Trainee	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
Specialty Plumber	6,000

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 ÷ $79,070 median salary

check_circleWashington 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.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

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

To become a plumber in Washington, you need to complete the required education (Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Washington State Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($190 fee).

Does Washington require plumber licensure? expand_more

Yes, Washington requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. You must pass the Washington State Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much does a plumber make in Washington? expand_more

Washington plumbers bring home a median salary of $79,070. That's 26% above the national median of $62,970. The range spans from $47,570 at the entry level to $139,280 for top earners.

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

Costs include exam fee ($80) and application fee ($190). The estimated total investment is $250, including education and training.

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

Expect to spend 4 years from start to finish in Washington — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

Yes — plumbers in Washington must complete 24.0 CE hours every 3.0 years to stay licensed.