Plumber in Rhode Island
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for RI
How to Become a Plumber in Rhode Island
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Rhode Island, individuals must complete a five-year apprenticeship program, which includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of theoretical instruction approved by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. After meeting these prerequisites, applicants must pass the Rhode Island Journeyman Plumber Examination. The application fee for the journeyman license is $75, and the exam fee is $55. Licenses must be renewed every two years, requiring 7 hours of continuing education per cycle. Rhode Island offers reciprocity for out-of-state plumbers who can demonstrate equivalent licensing requirements and training.
Plumber Requirements in Rhode Island
| Detail | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training - Division of Professional Regulation |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 576 hours of theoretical instruction. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Rhode Island Journeyman Plumber Examination ($55) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 7.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for apprentice is 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. Master Plumber requires 1 year of experience as a licensed Journeyman. Journeyman Plumber exam is 50 multiple-choice questions based on the 2018 IPC (International Plumbing Code). |
Source: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training - Division of Professional Regulation
License Tiers
Rhode Island offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 10,000 |
Plumber Salary in Rhode Island
The median plumber salary in Rhode Island is $64,630 per year, which is 2.6% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,880 |
| 25th | $50,570 |
| 50th (median) | $64,630 |
| 75th | $81,850 |
| 90th (experienced) | $106,530 |
Rhode Island employs approximately 1,790 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 Rhode Island Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $200 and a median salary of $64,630 in Rhode Island, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Rhode Island's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.