Plumber in Idaho
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ID
How to Become a Plumber in Idaho
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Idaho, individuals must complete a four-year approved apprenticeship program, which includes 8,000 hours of work experience and 576 hours of classroom instruction, or accrue 16,000 hours of work experience. The licensing body is the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). After meeting the experience and education requirements, applicants must pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination and then submit an application with the associated fees. Idaho offers reciprocity for journeyman plumbers licensed in Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Plumber Requirements in Idaho
| Detail | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a four-year approved apprentice training program (576 hours of classroom instruction) OR 16,000 hours of work experience. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Idaho Journeyman Plumber Examination ($75) |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprentice registration is 16. Journeyman plumbers must pass the exam before applying for a license. As of October 2023, continuing education is no longer required for journeyman plumbers. |
Source: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)
License Tiers
Idaho offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Contractor | 8,000 |
Plumber Salary in Idaho
The median plumber salary in Idaho is $57,380 per year, which is 8.9% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,340 |
| 25th | $45,420 |
| 50th (median) | $57,380 |
| 75th | $69,510 |
| 90th (experienced) | $79,550 |
Idaho employs approximately 3,710 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 Idaho Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $57,380 in Idaho, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Idaho's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.