Plumber in Kentucky
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY
How to Become a Plumber in Kentucky
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Kentucky, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and complete either two consecutive years as an apprentice plumber or a department-approved course with one year of apprenticeship experience. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Kentucky Journeyman Plumber Examination and pay the associated fees. Licenses are issued by the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing and must be renewed annually with 6 hours of continuing education. While Kentucky does not have universal reciprocity, it may grant licenses to plumbers from other states on a case-by-case basis if specific conditions regarding codes and exams are met.
Plumber Requirements in Kentucky
| Detail | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Experience Required | 4,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Kentucky Journeyman Plumber Examination ($50) |
| Application Fee | $60 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 6.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate or GED equivalent. A background check is required. Journeyman Plumber requires two consecutive years as an apprentice plumber OR completion of a department-approved course with at least one year of experience as an apprentice. Master Plumber requires two years of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber within the past five years. Master Plumbers must also provide proof of general liability insurance of at least $250,000 and compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws if they have employees. |
Source: Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Division of Plumbing
License Tiers
Kentucky offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | 4,000 |
| Master | 8,000 |
Plumber Salary in Kentucky
The median plumber salary in Kentucky is $62,370 per year, which is 1.0% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,210 |
| 25th | $47,710 |
| 50th (median) | $62,370 |
| 75th | $82,920 |
| 90th (experienced) | $92,970 |
Kentucky employs approximately 5,500 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 Kentucky Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $62,370 in Kentucky, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Kentucky's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.