How to Become a Plumber in Arkansas (2026)
Arkansas employs about 3,370 plumbers earning a median $48,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Arkansas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Technology Center | 64.0 | Contact school for pricing | $41,040 | 85% | — | 258 mi |
| 2 | Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College | 56.4 | $4,109 | $46,119 | 77% | Yes* | 159 mi |
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| 3 | Neosho County Community College | 55.0 | $5,780 | $55,338 | 34% | Yes* | 268 mi |
| 4 | Hinds Community College | 53.6 | $4,250 in-state / $7,300 out-of-state | $40,042 | 43% | Yes* | 203 mi |
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| 5 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers | 53.0 | $3,788 in-state / $4,388 out-of-state | $33,964 | 26% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 6 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College | 52.6 | $3,342 in-state / $5,238 out-of-state | $48,056 | 31% | Yes* | 154 mi |
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| 7 | Northwest Shoals Community College | 51.7 | $5,131 in-state / $9,001 out-of-state | $45,546 | 39% | Yes* | 262 mi |
| 8 | Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester | 42.2 | Contact school for pricing | $36,651 | 45% | — | 196 mi |
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| 9 | Three Rivers College | 40.9 | $4,950 in-state / $6,180 out-of-state | $42,322 | 33% | Yes* | 175 mi |
| 10 | William R Moore College of Technology | 39.6 | $9,723 | $46,641 | 50% | — | 132 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Arkansas employs approximately 3,370 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,660 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 Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners
- Median wage (Arkansas): $48,660 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Arkansas
How to become a Plumber in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Plumbing and Gas Inspector, Liquified Petroleum Gas Plumbing Installation Service Technician - PI, Journeyman Plumber. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the plumber field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for plumbers in Arkansas is $48,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,410 and experienced professionals can earn $68,870 or more 1.
How to Become a Plumber in Arkansas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arkansas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arkansas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Arkansas.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners oversees plumber licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing and Gas Inspector | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Liquified Petroleum Gas Plumbing Installation Service Technician - PI | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Journeyman Plumber | Journeyman Plumbers are engaged in the practical installation of plumbing. They must be thoroughly familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations governing the plumbing codes. |
| Hospital Maintenance Plumber | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Master Plumber | Master Plumbers are persons skilled in the planning, supervision, and practical installation of plumbing. |
| Apprentice Plumber | Apprentice Plumbers are persons, other than journeyman plumbers or master plumbers, who are engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of plumbing drainage and natural gas. |
| Governmental Maintenance Plumber | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Current employment in field required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Arkansas
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arkansas’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Arkansas Office of Skills Development
- Address: 1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202
- Phone: (501) 683-1152
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Arkansas
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Arkansas earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Arkansas general wage determinations show approximately $17.73 per hour in base pay plus $2.84 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $20.57 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
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.
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1,920 | $58,690 | $60,500 | $37,530 | $82,020 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 890 | $49,190 | $51,170 | $35,100 | $68,540 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 830 | $52,100 | $54,270 | $37,960 | $72,240 |
| Fort Smith | 250 | $48,350 | $49,590 | $36,730 | $62,520 |
| Jonesboro | 160 | $47,030 | $47,360 | $31,840 | $62,520 |
| Texarkana | 150 | $48,480 | $52,070 | $34,130 | $75,610 |
| Hot Springs | 140 | $46,820 | $45,170 | $30,430 | $63,510 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 3,370 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arkansas. You can also contact the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Arkansas is $48,660, which is $14,310 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas Committee of Plumbing Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/plumbing-natural-gas ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |