Plumber in Louisiana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for LA
How to Become a Plumber in Louisiana
To become a Journeyman Plumber in Louisiana, individuals must first register as an apprentice with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana. Apprentices need to complete either 7,000 hours of manual plumbing labor if in an approved apprenticeship program, or 8,000 hours if unindentured, under the supervision of a licensed plumber. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Louisiana Journeyman Plumber Examination, which includes both a written and practical component. Louisiana offers reciprocity for Journeyman Plumbers licensed in Arkansas and Texas.
Plumber Requirements in Louisiana
| Detail | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | State Plumbing Board of Louisiana |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED recommended, or demonstrate suitable capability through a math entrance exam. |
| Experience Required | 7,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Louisiana Journeyman Plumber Examination ($125) |
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 3.5 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 16 for apprenticeship. Master Plumber requires holding a Journeyman license and passing the Master exam. Indentured apprentices (in an approved program) require 7,000 hours of experience, while unindentured apprentices require 8,000 hours. The Journeyman exam consists of a written and practical portion. Passing scores for parts of the exam are valid for one year. |
License Tiers
Louisiana offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 8,000 |
Plumber Salary in Louisiana
The median plumber salary in Louisiana is $64,720 per year, which is 2.8% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,190 |
| 25th | $50,780 |
| 50th (median) | $64,720 |
| 75th | $74,800 |
| 90th (experienced) | $77,610 |
Louisiana employs approximately 9,040 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 Louisiana Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $64,720 in Louisiana, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Louisiana's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.