How to Become
a Plumber.
Installs and repairs water, drain, gas, and steam systems. The 'recession-proof' trade.Here's the honest path — from zero to journeyman, with the numbers and warnings that nobody puts in the brochure.
The Path.
The union apprenticeship is the gold standard — earn while you learn, no debt, progressive wage increases. Here's the honest step-by-step for the UA (United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters) path.
Meet minimum requirements — age 18+, HS diploma or GED, and a willingness to spend time in crawlspaces that will redefine your relationship with the concept of 'confined.'
Find your local UA JATC — the United Association runs pipe trades apprenticeships for plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC, and sprinkler work. One union, four trades.
Apply and submit your paperwork — most UA programs require transcripts, photo ID, and a basic aptitude test at the time of application. Check your specific Local's requirements; they vary.
Complete the 5-year apprenticeship — roughly 2,000 hours per year on the job plus classroom instruction. Starting pay is 45–55% of journeyman scale. You're getting paid to learn. There is no debt.
Earn your journeyman plumber license — this is the credential that lets you work without supervision. It's a state exam. Study for it like it matters, because it does.
Log your hours and apply for master plumber — most states require 2+ years as a journeyman before you can sit for the master exam. The master license is what lets you pull permits and run your own operation.
The Money.
| State | Highest metro | Median hourly | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $51.71/hr | $103,420 |
| Illinois | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $49.7/hr | $99,400 |
| Indiana | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $49.7/hr | $99,400 |
| Washington | Bellingham | $49.4/hr | $98,800 |
| Wisconsin | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $48.86/hr | $97,720 |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $48.86/hr | $97,720 |
| Oregon | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $48.56/hr | $97,120 |
| Massachusetts | Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $46.52/hr | $93,040 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025. These are median wages across all workers — union scale typically runs 20–40% above these figures.
Programs Accepting Applications Now.
What the Brochure Leaves Out.
Plumbing license is separate from electrical in most states — different board, different exam.
Texas has TWO licenses for plumbing — TSBPE plumber + TDLR for HVAC. Don't conflate them.
Master plumber requires 2+ years as journeyman in most states before you can apply.
Service plumbing pays on commission — top earners crush it, bottom 25% earn less than commercial.
Requirements by State.
Every state has different licensing requirements, exam providers, and code editions. Choose your state for the specific path in your market.