PLUMBER
Installs and repairs water, drain, gas, and steam systems. The 'recession-proof' trade. Washington is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Washington: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries (L&I). Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Real BLS OEWS 2025 median hourly wages for plumbers in Washington — by metro area. Union scale typically runs 20–40% above these medians on prevailing wage projects.
| Metro area | Median hourly | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $49.4/hr | $98,800 |
| Portland | $48.56/hr | $97,120 |
| Kennewick | $46.7/hr | $93,400 |
| Seattle | $45.78/hr | $91,560 |
| Bremerton | $39.89/hr | $79,780 |
| Longview | $38.8/hr | $77,600 |
| Olympia | $38.48/hr | $76,960 |
| Mount Vernon | $37.28/hr | $74,560 |
| Wenatchee | $35.67/hr | $71,340 |
| Spokane | $35/hr | $70,000 |
| National median (BLS) | $31.48/hr | $62,970 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. These are median wages across all workers (union and non-union). Year 1 apprentice: $34,000–$50,000/yr. Journeyman top of scale: $70,000–$116,000/yr.
Washington is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in Washington's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
Washington is a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) state — it administers its own apprenticeship programs separately from the federal RAPIDS system. Contact the state labor department directly or visit apprenticeship.gov and filter by state.
- · United Association (UA) — Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters
The Exam.
Licensing exams for plumber work typically cover the applicable mechanical code (IMC or state-specific), plumbing code (IPC or UPC depending on the state), and material standards. Washington may adopt different code editions than adjacent states. Confirm the specific code edition before purchasing prep materials. Prevailing wage requirements in Washington apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Plumbing license is separate from electrical in most states — different board, different exam.
- 02Texas has TWO licenses for plumbing — TSBPE plumber + TDLR for HVAC. Don't conflate them.
- 03Master plumber requires 2+ years as journeyman in most states before you can apply.
- 04Service plumbing pays on commission — top earners crush it, bottom 25% earn less than commercial.