Plumber in Michigan
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MI
How to Become a Plumber in Michigan
To become a licensed Journey Plumber in Michigan, individuals must be at least 18 years old and accumulate 6,000 hours of experience over a minimum of three years as a registered plumbing apprentice under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. The licensing body is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the Michigan Journey Plumber Examination and pay the associated application and examination fees. Michigan does not offer reciprocity with other states, meaning out-of-state plumbers must pass the Michigan exam.
Plumber Requirements in Michigan
| Detail | Michigan |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | No specific education prerequisite beyond age and experience, though technical school or college can contribute to experience hours. |
| Experience Required | 6,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Michigan Journey Plumber Examination ($100) |
| Application Fee | $40 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 3.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for Journey Plumber is 18. Master Plumber requires 2 years (4000 hours) as a licensed Journey Plumber. Continuing education is required once per code cycle, typically a 3-hour code update course. The most recent code update requires completion by March 12, 2025. Local municipalities may have additional licensing or permitting requirements. |
Source: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Construction Codes
License Tiers
Michigan offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journey | 6,000 |
| Master | 10,000 |
Plumber Salary in Michigan
The median plumber salary in Michigan is $77,030 per year, which is 22.3% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,710 |
| 25th | $50,150 |
| 50th (median) | $77,030 |
| 75th | $91,590 |
| 90th (experienced) | $100,620 |
Michigan employs approximately 12,830 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 Michigan Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $77,030 in Michigan, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Michigan's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.