Plumber in Pennsylvania
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for PA
How to Become a Plumber in Pennsylvania
To become a licensed plumber in Pennsylvania, individuals must obtain a license through local jurisdictions, as there is no statewide plumbing license. Aspiring plumbers typically need a high school diploma or GED and must complete a state-approved apprenticeship program, which includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job training. After completing an apprenticeship, individuals can apply for a Journeyman Plumber license by passing an examination, and then pursue a Master Plumber license after gaining additional experience and passing another exam. Reciprocity agreements are handled at the local level and vary by jurisdiction.
Plumber Requirements in Pennsylvania
| Detail | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | N/A (Local Jurisdictions - e.g., City of Philadelphia, Allegheny County Health Department) |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program (typically 576 hours of classroom instruction) |
| Exam | Journeyman Plumber Examination, Master Plumber Examination (administered by local jurisdictions, e.g., International Code Council for Philadelphia, Allegheny County Health Department for Allegheny County) |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Pennsylvania does not have a statewide licensing requirement for plumbers; licensing is handled at the city and county level. Examples include Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (Allegheny County). The state does require registration for home improvement contractors if performing work totaling $5,000 or more per year. Minimum age for Journeyman is typically 18, and for Master Plumber is typically 21. Reciprocity agreements vary by local jurisdiction. |
Source: N/A (Local Jurisdictions - e.g., City of Philadelphia, Allegheny County Health Department)
Plumber Salary in Pennsylvania
The median plumber salary in Pennsylvania is $66,650 per year, which is 5.8% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $45,070 |
| 25th | $51,990 |
| 50th (median) | $66,650 |
| 75th | $82,700 |
| 90th (experienced) | $108,770 |
Pennsylvania employs approximately 13,990 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 Pennsylvania Worth It?
Factors to consider: Pennsylvania's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.