Plumber in Washington
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WA
How to Become a Plumber in Washington
To become a certified plumber in Washington, individuals must be certified by the Washington State Plumber Certification Program, which is part of the Department of Labor & Industries. The main steps include completing an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent, accumulating 8,000 hours of experience (with specific commercial/industrial hours for journeyman plumbers), and passing the Washington State Journeyman Plumber Examination. Washington has a reciprocity agreement for journey level plumbers with Idaho; however, all other out-of-state plumbers must pass the Washington state exam.
Plumber Requirements in Washington
| Detail | Washington |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Washington State Journeyman Plumber Examination ($80) |
| Application Fee | $190 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | A Journeyman Plumber (PL01) requires 8,000 hours of experience, with at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial plumbing. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A separate Plumbing Contractor license is required to own a business and perform plumbing work, which has additional requirements including a surety bond and liability insurance. |
License Tiers
Washington offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Trainee | N/A |
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Specialty Plumber | 6,000 |
Plumber Salary in Washington
The median plumber salary in Washington is $79,070 per year, which is 25.6% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,570 |
| 25th | $59,760 |
| 50th (median) | $79,070 |
| 75th | $106,100 |
| 90th (experienced) | $139,280 |
Washington employs approximately 12,210 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 Washington Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $79,070 in Washington, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Washington's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.