How to Become A Plumber in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 6,950 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,670 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a plumber in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Alabama
How do I become a plumber in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Certified Master Plumber, Certified Journeyman Plumber, Certified Plumber & Gas Fitter Apprentice. The licensing authority is the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 16 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for plumbers in Alabama is $58,670 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,720 and experienced professionals can earn $76,690 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board
- Median wage (Alabama): $58,670 per year 1
Plumber License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board oversees plumber licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Master Plumber | Applicant must: be at least 16 years of age or possess a work permit; Be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. |
| Certified Journeyman Plumber | Applicant must: be at least 16 years of age or possess a work permit; Be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. |
| Certified Plumber & Gas Fitter Apprentice | Applicant must: be at least 16 years of age or possess a work permit; Be of good moral character; Be a U.S. citizen or provide verification that applicant is authorized to work in the U.S. |
Additional Requirements
- Experience: Affidavit or referral required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Alabama
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Alabama Office of Apprenticeship
- Address: 1 Technology Court, Montgomery, AL 36116
- Phone: (334) 280-4440
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 1,840 | $60,090 | $59,350 | $38,620 | $76,290 |
| Mobile | 960 | $59,410 | $58,770 | $38,170 | $74,940 |
| Huntsville | 790 | $57,020 | $58,480 | $37,870 | $82,620 |
| Tuscaloosa | 370 | $59,530 | $58,790 | $38,410 | $74,150 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 340 | $60,590 | $59,530 | $36,730 | $83,120 |
| Montgomery | 340 | $57,960 | $56,180 | $37,280 | $74,100 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | 330 | $57,080 | $56,280 | $36,230 | $76,060 |
| Decatur | 210 | $59,920 | $66,250 | $40,580 | $110,660 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 200 | $51,570 | $54,120 | $36,460 | $71,480 |
| Columbus | 200 | $47,410 | $52,590 | $35,360 | $75,860 |
| Anniston-Oxford | 130 | $56,850 | $58,560 | $37,570 | $74,460 |
| Dothan | 130 | $49,070 | $51,550 | $35,980 | $67,070 |
| Gadsden | 100 | $47,350 | $49,290 | $28,050 | $66,280 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 1,840 | $60,090 |
| Mobile | 960 | $59,410 |
| Huntsville | 790 | $57,020 |
| Tuscaloosa | 370 | $59,530 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 340 | $60,590 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Alabama
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Alabama earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Alabama general wage determinations show approximately $32.50 per hour in base pay plus $19.33 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $51.83 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 6,950 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do plumbers earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Alabama is $58,670, which is $4,300 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board - Licensing Information: https://www.pgfb.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |