How to Become a Plumber: Training, Wages & Outlook

Plumbing is one of the most stable and well-paying skilled trades. The work can't be automated, can't be outsourced, and is needed in every building in the country. Despite that, there's a growing shortage of plumbers — the average age of a licensed plumber is in the mid-to-late 40s, and not enough new workers are entering the trade to replace those retiring.

That shortage means opportunity. Here's how to get started.

What Plumbers Do

Plumbing covers a wider range of work than most people realize:

Residential service plumbers handle repairs and installations in homes — fixing leaks, replacing water heaters, installing fixtures, clearing drains, and repiping older homes. This is the most common entry point and offers the most schedule flexibility.

New construction plumbers install complete plumbing systems in new buildings — running water supply lines, waste and vent piping, and connecting fixtures. The work is physical and project-based, with steady demand in growing markets.

Commercial plumbers work on larger-scale systems in offices, hospitals, schools, and industrial buildings. The piping is larger, the systems are more complex, and the pay is generally higher.

Pipefitters and steamfitters are specialized plumbers who work on high-pressure systems — steam, process piping, medical gas, and industrial applications. This is the highest-paying plumbing specialization.

Day to day, plumbers read blueprints, cut and join pipe (copper, PVC, PEX, cast iron, steel), install and test fixtures, diagnose problems, and ensure everything meets local plumbing codes.

Training Paths

UA Apprenticeship

The United Association (UA) is the primary union for plumbers and pipefitters. UA apprenticeships are 5 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction:

• 10,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training
• 200+ hours/year of classroom instruction (nights or weekends)
• Starting wages at 40-50% of the journeyman rate, increasing every 6-12 months
• Benefits (health insurance, pension) often included from the start

A first-year UA apprentice might earn $18-24/hour depending on the local market. By year five, you'd be earning close to the full journeyman rate, which ranges from $30-55/hour depending on location.

Search plumbing apprenticeships on SkillPlum.

Non-Union Apprenticeship

ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) and PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association) chapters run non-union apprenticeship programs. These are typically 4 years, may pay slightly less than union programs, but are often easier to get into. The journeyman credential is equivalent.

Trade School

Plumbing certificate and associate degree programs teach pipe fitting, code, blueprint reading, and basic installation skills. Programs run 6-18 months for certificates or 2 years for associate degrees, with tuition ranging from $3,000-15,000 at public schools.

Trade school graduates typically start as apprentice plumbers and must still accumulate supervised work hours before testing for a journeyman license. The advantage is that some states allow trade school hours to count toward your required apprenticeship hours, shortening the path.

Compare plumbing programs on SkillPlum.

Licensing

Plumbing is licensed in nearly every state, though specific requirements vary:

Apprentice License

Most states require registration before you start working. This allows you to work under a licensed plumber's supervision while accumulating hours.

Journeyman Plumber

Requirements typically include:

• 4-5 years (8,000-10,000 hours) of supervised work experience
• Completion of a registered apprenticeship or equivalent education
• Passing a written exam covering plumbing code, installation practices, and safety

Master Plumber

After earning your journeyman license, you can work toward a master plumber license:

• Typically requires 2-4 additional years of journeyman-level experience
• Separate written exam (usually harder than the journeyman test)
• Master plumber license is often required to pull permits, run your own business, and supervise other plumbers

Contractor License

Some states separate the contractor license from the trade license. You may need both a master plumber license and a business/contractor license to operate independently.

Check your state's plumbing board for current requirements. Some states have reciprocity agreements; many don't.

Wages

Plumber wages scale significantly with experience and specialization:

• Apprentice (year 1): $16-22/hour
• Apprentice (year 4-5): $28-38/hour
• Journeyman plumber: $26-42/hour
• Master plumber: $32-48/hour
• National median: roughly $30-32/hour

Union plumbers in major metro areas earn the highest wages. UA locals in cities like San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Boston have total compensation packages (wages + benefits) that exceed $80-100/hour.

Service plumbers who run their own trucks often earn commission or piece-rate bonuses on top of their base wage. Self-employed master plumbers with established customer bases can earn $100,000-150,000+ annually.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects steady 2-3% job growth for plumbers through 2032. That modest percentage understates the actual demand because it doesn't account for the massive retirement wave underway. Industry groups estimate that tens of thousands of plumbers will retire in the coming decade, and the training pipeline isn't producing enough replacements.

Specializations in demand include:

• Medical gas installation — hospitals and clinics need certified medical gas installers
• Fire sprinkler systems — code requirements are expanding the need for sprinkler fitters
• Water treatment and reclamation — growing in drought-prone western states
• Green plumbing — rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and water-efficient fixtures

Getting Started

1. Contact your local UA hall or ABC chapter — ask about apprenticeship application timelines and requirements
2. Explore trade school options — search plumbing programs to find schools near you
3. Get your apprentice registration — contact your state plumbing board to register before starting work
4. Start as a helper — many plumbing companies hire helpers with no experience. This gets you exposure to the trade and makes your apprenticeship application stronger

Browse plumbing trade schools and apprenticeships on SkillPlum, or explore our trade career guides to compare plumbing with other options.