Plumber in Nevada
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NV
How to Become a Plumber in Nevada
To become a licensed plumber in Nevada, individuals can pursue either a Journeyman/Master Plumber license through the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE) or a Plumbing Contractor (C-1) license through the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). Journeyman plumbers need 8,000 hours of experience, pass an exam, and pay a $300 application fee. Plumbing contractors must have four years of experience, pass the C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor Exam and a Business and Law Exam, and secure a bond. Reciprocity for the trade exam may be available for contractors from Arizona, California, and Utah, and for journeyman plumbers from a wide range of states.
Plumber Requirements in Nevada
| Detail | Nevada |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (for Journeyman and Master Plumbers) and Nevada State Contractors Board (for Plumbing Contractors) |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | None for contractor license, but training programs may involve tuition costs. For Journeyman, 4 years in a state-registered apprenticeship or 8,000 hours of experience. For Master, 1 year (2,000 hours) as a Journeyman. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Journeyman Plumber Exam (Prometric or NITC) or Master Plumber Exam (Prometric or NITC); C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor Exam & Business and Law Exam (PSI) ($125) |
| Application Fee | $300 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 8.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Nevada issues Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses through the Nevada Board of Plumbing Examiners (NBOPE). The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) licenses Plumbing Contractors (C-1). A bond is required for contractors, ranging from $1,000 to $500,000. Journeyman and Master Plumber licenses are renewed every two years, with 8 hours of continuing education or a 40-question open-book test required. Contractor licenses are renewed annually. |
License Tiers
Nevada offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor | 8,000 |
Plumber Salary in Nevada
The median plumber salary in Nevada is $60,120 per year, which is 4.5% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,870 |
| 25th | $47,380 |
| 50th (median) | $60,120 |
| 75th | $82,370 |
| 90th (experienced) | $108,690 |
Nevada employs approximately 5,330 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 Nevada Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,000 and a median salary of $60,120 in Nevada, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Nevada's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.