Plumber in New Jersey
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NJ
How to Become a Plumber in New Jersey
To become a licensed Master Plumber in New Jersey, individuals must meet specific education and experience requirements set by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. This typically involves completing a four-year registered apprenticeship program followed by one year of experience as a journeyman plumber, or holding a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field plus one year of journeyman experience. Applicants must then pass the New Jersey Master Plumber Examination, which includes practical, written, and business and law sections, and pay the associated application and exam fees. While New Jersey does not have formal reciprocity agreements, the board may consider applicants licensed in other states if their standards are comparable and the other state reciprocates. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and secure a $3,000 surety bond.
Plumber Requirements in New Jersey
| Detail | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program OR a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering from an accredited college or university. |
| Experience Required | 10,000.0 hours |
| Exam | New Jersey Master Plumber Examination (Practical, Written, Business and Law) ($240) |
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 5.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | New Jersey only licenses Master Plumbers. To qualify, one must be at least 21 years old and complete a 4-year apprenticeship and then work for 1 year as a journeyman plumber (total of 5 years experience). There is no state-issued journeyman license; it is a prerequisite status. A $3,000 surety bond is required for licensure. |
Source: New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers
License Tiers
New Jersey offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Master Plumber | 10,000 |
Plumber Salary in New Jersey
The median plumber salary in New Jersey is $77,160 per year, which is 22.5% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $50,430 |
| 25th | $63,940 |
| 50th (median) | $77,160 |
| 75th | $109,170 |
| 90th (experienced) | $133,260 |
New Jersey employs approximately 9,840 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 New Jersey Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $400 and a median salary of $77,160 in New Jersey, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: New Jersey's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.