Plumber in Maryland
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MD
How to Become a Plumber in Maryland
To become a Journey Plumber in Maryland, individuals must complete a registered apprenticeship program, which typically takes four years and includes 7,500 hours of experience and 32 hours of backflow prevention training. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter Examination. The licensing body is the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. Maryland offers reciprocity for Master Plumber/Gasfitter licenses with Delaware, and for both Journeyman and Master Plumber/Gasfitter licenses with Baltimore County, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), and the District of Columbia.
Plumber Requirements in Maryland
| Detail | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Maryland State Board of Plumbing |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience Required | 7,500.0 hours |
| Exam | Maryland Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter Examination ($65) |
| Application Fee | $44 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age for an apprentice license is 16 years old. To become a Master Plumber, an individual must hold a Journey Plumber license for at least two years and complete an additional 3,750 hours of training under a licensed Master Plumber. Master Plumbers are also required to carry general liability insurance ($300,000) and property damage insurance ($100,000). |
Source: Maryland State Board of Plumbing
License Tiers
Maryland offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journey | 7,500 |
| Master | 11,250 |
Plumber Salary in Maryland
The median plumber salary in Maryland is $63,270 per year, which is 0.5% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $42,730 |
| 25th | $49,390 |
| 50th (median) | $63,270 |
| 75th | $81,280 |
| 90th (experienced) | $105,610 |
Maryland employs approximately 11,490 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 Maryland Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $150 and a median salary of $63,270 in Maryland, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Maryland's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.