Plumber in Georgia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA
How to Become a Plumber in Georgia
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Georgia, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and document a minimum of three years of plumbing experience. Applicants must pass the Georgia Journeyman Plumber Examination and submit an application with a fee to the Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. While Georgia does not offer reciprocity with other states for plumbing licenses, continuing education of eight hours per two-year cycle is required for renewal.
Plumber Requirements in Georgia
| Detail | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | None |
| Experience Required | 4,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Georgia Journeyman Plumber Examination ($85) |
| Application Fee | $40 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 8.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for licensure is 18 years old. A high school diploma or GED is required. A clean criminal background check is also required. Journeyman Plumber requires 3 years of experience. Master Plumber requires 5 years of experience, with at least 2 of those years as a licensed Journeyman. All applicants need three references from licensed plumbers, with at least one being a Master Plumber for Journeyman applicants, and at least two being Master Plumbers for Master Plumber applicants. If you fail the exam twice, you must complete a review course before a third attempt. |
Source: Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board - Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers
License Tiers
Georgia offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | 6,000 |
| Master Class I (Restricted) | 10,000 |
| Master Class II (Unrestricted) | 10,000 |
Plumber Salary in Georgia
The median plumber salary in Georgia is $56,290 per year, which is 10.6% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,990 |
| 25th | $44,810 |
| 50th (median) | $56,290 |
| 75th | $72,200 |
| 90th (experienced) | $83,070 |
Georgia employs approximately 7,530 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 Georgia Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $300 and a median salary of $56,290 in Georgia, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Georgia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.