To become a plumber in the US, you finish high school, complete a 4 or 5 year apprenticeship with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year, then pass your state's licensing exam to work as a journey-level plumber. Most states and some localities require plumbers to be licensed, often after 2 to 5 years of experience.
The good news is that you're paid while you train. The apprenticeship is a job, run by a union, trade association or business, so you don't need to take on debt to qualify.
Here's the route, with the pay and job numbers from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, read in October 2026.
Plumbers in numbers
| Measure | BLS figure (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $63,800 a year, $30.67 an hour |
| Lowest 10% and highest 10% | Under $44,150 and over $108,420 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 510,600 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 7%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 42,000 on average |
| Training | Apprenticeship |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026. Apprentices earn less than fully trained plumbers, but BLS says their pay rises as they learn to do more.
How to become a plumber, step by step
- Get a high school diploma or equivalent. It's typically required.
- Consider a vocational-technical course. These cover pipe system design, safety and tool use, and some include welding. Some people start with a pre-apprenticeship program or as a helper.
- Join an apprenticeship run by a union, trade association or business.
- Complete 4 or 5 years of training: about 2,000 paid hours on the job each year, plus technical instruction in safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics and chemistry.
- Pass your state's licensing exam to become a journey-level plumber, qualified to work independently.
- Go for master status after several years of experience and another exam.
- Get a contractor's licence if you want to run your own business. BLS says some states require master plumber status for it.
The insight: the licence is the gate, and it's local
The apprenticeship gets you skilled. The licence gets you working on your own, and it's set by your state, and sometimes your city. BLS says licensing rules vary but often require 2 to 5 years of experience plus an exam on the trade. Pipefitters and steamfitters may also need a special licence to work on gas lines.
So before you choose an apprenticeship, look up your state's plumbing licensing board and check how many hours it wants logged. That number decides when you can work independently. Most employers also want you to have a driver's license, because the work moves between sites.
Where plumbers earn the most
| Industry | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Government | $71,660 |
| Manufacturing | $65,770 |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | $63,270 |
| Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors | $63,010 |
About 65% of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters work for plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors, and about 8 in every 100 are self-employed.
What the job is like
BLS is clear that it's physical work. Plumbers lift heavy materials, climb ladders and work in tight spaces, sometimes outdoors in all weather. Common injuries include cuts from sharp tools, burns from hot pipes and soldering equipment, and falls from ladders. Most plumbers work full time, including nights and weekends, and they're often on call for emergencies. Self-employed plumbers may be able to set their own schedules.
If you go self-employed, the admin builds up fast. A good plumbing software setup handles scheduling and invoices, and these ChatGPT prompts for plumbers write quotes and follow-ups. Don't skip cover either: here's why plumbers need insurance.
Plumber, pipefitter or steamfitter?
BLS groups these three trades together, but they aren't the same job. Plumbers install and repair the water, drainage and gas systems in homes and businesses. Pipefitters and steamfitters tend to work on industrial and commercial piping, and some apprenticeship programs for them require welding courses. If you like the idea of house calls and running your own van, plumbing is the route. If you prefer large sites and factories, pipefitting may suit you better. The training model, an apprenticeship plus a licence, is similar for all three.
Optional certifications, such as plumbing design, can broaden your options later, according to BLS. After the licence, plumbers can advance to master plumber, supervisor or project manager.
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Skills that help
- Troubleshooting: finding and fixing problems is most of the job.
- Dexterity: moving parts and tools precisely in tight spaces.
- Physical strength: lifting heavy tools and materials.
- Communication: talking to customers, bidding on jobs and directing other workers.
My verdict
If you want a skilled trade with steady demand and no student debt, plumbing is a strong bet. Plan for 4 to 5 years of paid training, check your state's licensing rules before you pick a program, and keep going to master status if you want your own business. With about 42,000 openings a year and 7% growth projected, there's work for people who finish the training.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a plumber?
Usually 4 to 5 years. BLS says most plumbers learn through a 4 or 5 year apprenticeship with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year.
Do plumbers get paid during an apprenticeship?
Yes. The on-the-job training is paid, and BLS says apprentice pay rises as they learn to do more.
How much do plumbers make?
BLS reports median pay of $63,800 a year, or $30.67 an hour, for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Do you need a licence to be a plumber?
Most states and some localities require one. BLS says licensing often needs 2 to 5 years of experience and an exam.
What is a master plumber?
A plumber with several years of experience who has passed another exam after the journey-level licence. Some states require master status for a plumbing contractor's licence.
Is plumbing a dangerous job?
It carries risks. BLS lists cuts from sharp tools, burns from hot pipes and soldering equipment, and falls from ladders as common injuries.
Do plumbers work weekends?
Often. BLS says most plumbers work full time, including nights and weekends, and are often on call for emergencies.
Can I go to trade school instead of an apprenticeship?
Vocational-technical school is a common first step, but BLS says most plumbers still learn the trade through an apprenticeship.
