How to Become A Plumber in Connecticut
Connecticut employs approximately 5,410 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,280 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 Connecticut, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Connecticut
How do I become a plumber in Connecticut? Connecticut requires credentials such as Plumbing & Piping Limited Contractor, Plumbing & Piping Limited Journeyperson, Plumbing Trainee. The licensing authority is the Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational & Professional Licensing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Connecticut? Yes. Connecticut has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational & Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for plumbers in Connecticut is $77,280 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,670 and experienced professionals can earn $102,990 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: Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational & Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Connecticut): $77,280 per year 1
Plumber License Requirements in Connecticut
The Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational & Professional Licensing oversees plumber licensing in Connecticut 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing & Piping Limited Contractor | Plumbing and Pipefitting Work Application Information: What license type do I need? Review the scope of work for available license types to determine what best covers the services you intend to provid… |
| Plumbing & Piping Limited Journeyperson | P-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON PLUMBER The holder of this license may do all plumbing and piping work as so defined and only while in the employ of a contractor licensed for such work. |
| Plumbing Trainee | |
| Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson | P-2 UNLIMITED JOURNEYPERSON PLUMBER The holder of this license may do all plumbing and piping work as so defined and only while in the employ of a contractor licensed for such work. |
| Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Contractor | P-1 UNLIMITED PLUMBING CONTRACTOR The holder of this license may do all plumbing and piping work as defined in section 20-330 of the Connecticut General Statutes. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Connecticut
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Connecticut’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Connecticut Labor Department, Office of Apprenticeship & Training
- Address: 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
- Phone: (860) 263-6085
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Connecticut vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 1,850 | $77,190 | $74,860 | $43,260 | $102,180 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 1,000 | $79,700 | $79,490 | $46,940 | $119,250 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 870 | $76,980 | $69,820 | $47,250 | $99,470 |
| New Haven | 770 | $77,620 | $76,440 | $46,220 | $102,840 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | 670 | $76,880 | $79,470 | $47,040 | $102,990 |
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 Connecticut
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Connecticut according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 1,850 | $77,190 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 1,000 | $79,700 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 870 | $76,980 |
| New Haven | 770 | $77,620 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | 670 | $76,880 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 5,410 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Connecticut with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational & Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Connecticut? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Connecticut. You can also contact the Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Connecticut is $77,280, which is $14,310 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational & Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.ct.gov/dcp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/appren/WorkSchedules/SponsorReport1.htm ↩︎
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) |