Plumber in North Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND

Median Salary
$62,670
North Dakota (2024)
National Median
$62,970
All states
Est. Total Cost
$250
Education + exams + fees
Time to Complete
4 years apprenticeship
From start to licensed

How to Become a Plumber in North Dakota

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in North Dakota, individuals must first complete a four-year apprenticeship program with 7,600 hours of experience under a licensed Master Plumber. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants must pass the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination. The licensing body is the North Dakota State Plumbing Board, and licenses must be renewed annually by December 31st, with 4 hours of continuing education required every two years for Journeyman and Master plumbers. North Dakota offers reciprocity with South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.

Plumber Requirements in North Dakota

DetailNorth Dakota
Licensing BodyNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board
State License Required Yes
EducationHigh school diploma or GED
Experience Required7,600.0 hours
Exam North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination ($50)
Application Fee$50
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing Education4.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age for Apprentice license is 18 years old. Journeyman Plumber exam requires 4 years and 7600 hours of experience as an apprentice plumber. Master Plumber requires 21 years of age and 2 years (3400 hours) of experience as a licensed Journeyman plumber. Licenses expire annually on December 31st. Continuing education of 4 hours is required every two years (even-numbered years) for Journeyman and Master plumbers.

Source: North Dakota State Plumbing Board

License Tiers

North Dakota offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier Hours Required
Apprentice N/A
Journeyman 8,000
Master 12,000

Plumber Salary in North Dakota

The median plumber salary in North Dakota is $62,670 per year, which is 0.5% below the national median of $62,970.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$44,940
25th$48,810
50th (median)$62,670
75th$77,610
90th (experienced)$89,630

North Dakota employs approximately 1,650 plumbers.

Plumber Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+4.5%
Faster than average
Annual Openings
44
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
504.5
Nationwide

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 North Dakota Worth It?

With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $62,670 in North Dakota, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.

Factors to consider: North Dakota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get certified as a plumber in North Dakota?
The path to plumber licensure in North Dakota: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED), gain 7,600.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).
Is a plumber license required in North Dakota?
Yes, North Dakota requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is North Dakota State Plumbing Board. You must pass the North Dakota Journeyman Plumber Examination.
What do plumbers earn in North Dakota?
The median plumber salary in North Dakota is $62,670 per year. That's roughly in line with the $62,970 national median. New plumbers start around $44,940; seasoned professionals can reach $89,630.
How much does it cost to become a plumber in North Dakota?
Plan on spending $250 total — that covers exam fee ($50) and application fee ($50) plus your education and training.
What's the timeline to become a plumber in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, becoming a plumber generally takes 4 years apprenticeship, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
How many CE hours do plumbers need in North Dakota?
License renewal in North Dakota requires completing 4.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.

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