Plumber in Hawaii
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for HI
How to Become a Plumber in Hawaii
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Hawaii, individuals must complete a five-year registered apprenticeship program, which includes at least 10,000 hours of work experience and 144 hours of related education per year. After completing the apprenticeship and gaining board approval, applicants must pass the Hawaii Journeyman Plumber Examination. Hawaii does not offer reciprocity with other states, but out-of-state experience can be used to meet the experience requirements. Licenses must be renewed every three years and require a 4-hour continuing competency course.
Plumber Requirements in Hawaii
| Detail | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Board of Electricians and Plumbers |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED and completion of an approved apprenticeship program including 144 hours of related education per year for five years. |
| Experience Required | 10,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Hawaii Journeyman Plumber Examination ($90) |
| Application Fee | $40 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 4.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprenticeship is 17 years old. Master Plumber requires 2 years of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. All licensed plumbers must complete a 4-hour continuing competency course on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) for renewal. Hawaii does not have reciprocity agreements with other states, but out-of-state experience may be used to meet requirements. |
Source: Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Board of Electricians and Plumbers
License Tiers
Hawaii offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | 10,000 |
| Master | 14,000 |
Plumber Salary in Hawaii
The median plumber salary in Hawaii is $78,540 per year, which is 24.7% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,900 |
| 25th | $62,390 |
| 50th (median) | $78,540 |
| 75th | $97,820 |
| 90th (experienced) | $115,160 |
Hawaii employs approximately 2,640 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 Hawaii Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $78,540 in Hawaii, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Hawaii's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.