Plumber in Arkansas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR
How to Become a Plumber in Arkansas
To become a licensed plumber in Arkansas, individuals must first register as an apprentice with the Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. After completing a four-year apprenticeship with 8,000 hours of experience, aspiring plumbers can take the Journeyman Plumber exam. To advance to a Master Plumber license, an additional year of experience as a licensed Journeyman is required, followed by passing the Master Plumber examination. Arkansas offers reciprocity for Journeyman Plumber licenses with Oklahoma and Texas.
Plumber Requirements in Arkansas
| Detail | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Arkansas Department of Health - Protective Health Codes |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Arkansas Journeyman/Master Plumber Exam ($75) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprentice is 16 years old. Master Plumber requires 5 years of experience, with at least one year as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. A criminal background check may be required. Licenses expire annually on December 31st for Master, Journeyman, and Apprentice plumbers. Restricted plumber licenses expire on June 30th annually. |
Source: Arkansas Department of Health - Protective Health Codes
License Tiers
Arkansas offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 10,000 |
Plumber Salary in Arkansas
The median plumber salary in Arkansas is $49,700 per year, which is 21.1% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $33,200 |
| 25th | $42,320 |
| 50th (median) | $49,700 |
| 75th | $62,310 |
| 90th (experienced) | $69,940 |
Arkansas employs approximately 3,080 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 Arkansas Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $49,700 in Arkansas, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Arkansas's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.