Plumber in Arizona
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ
How to Become a Plumber in Arizona
To become a licensed plumber in Arizona, individuals must obtain a contractor's license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), as the state does not license journeyman plumbers directly. Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and demonstrate four years (8000 hours) of documented experience at the journeyman level or equivalent, with technical training potentially counting for up to two years of this experience. Key steps include passing the AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) and a trade-specific exam, submitting to a criminal background check, and securing a surety bond. Arizona offers reciprocity with California, Nevada, and Utah, waiving the trade exam for eligible applicants, though the SRE is still required. Military spouses with valid out-of-state licenses may also qualify for a license transfer.
Plumber Requirements in Arizona
| Detail | Arizona |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arizona Registrar of Contractors |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | None |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) & Trade-Specific Exam (e.g., R-37 Plumbing) ($127) |
| Application Fee | $720 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship or legal resident status, complete a criminal background check, and obtain a surety bond. Technical training can account for up to two years of the required experience. Arizona licenses contractors, not journeyman plumbers. The 8000 hours (4 years) of experience must be at the journeyman level or equivalent. |
Source: Arizona Registrar of Contractors
License Tiers
Arizona offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| R-37 Residential Plumbing Contractor | 8,000 |
| C-37 Commercial Plumbing Contractor | 8,000 |
Plumber Salary in Arizona
The median plumber salary in Arizona is $61,940 per year, which is 1.6% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $44,340 |
| 25th | $48,190 |
| 50th (median) | $61,940 |
| 75th | $88,060 |
| 90th (experienced) | $98,310 |
Arizona employs approximately 12,330 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -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.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Arizona Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $800 and a median salary of $61,940 in Arizona, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Arizona's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.