How to Become A Plumber in Delaware
Delaware employs approximately 1,590 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,720 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 Delaware, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Delaware
How do I become a plumber in Delaware? Delaware requires credentials such as Master Plumber, Temporary Master Plumber or HVACR, Master Plumber - License by Reciprocity. The licensing authority is the Delaware Department of State - Board of Plumbing/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 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 Delaware? Yes. Delaware has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Delaware Department of State - Board of Plumbing/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Delaware? The median annual wage for plumbers in Delaware is $64,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,990 and experienced professionals can earn $95,520 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: Delaware Department of State - Board of Plumbing/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Median wage (Delaware): $64,720 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Delaware
The Delaware Department of State - Board of Plumbing/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration oversees plumber licensing in Delaware 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Master Plumber | The Board issues master plumber, master HVACR and master restricted HVACR licenses. Restricted licenses limit practice to a specialty such as air conditioning. |
| Temporary Master Plumber or HVACR | The Board issues master plumber, master HVACR and master restricted HVACR licenses. Restricted licenses limit practice to a specialty such as air conditioning. |
| Master Plumber - License by Reciprocity | The Board issues master plumber, master HVACR and master restricted HVACR licenses. Restricted licenses limit practice to a specialty such as air conditioning. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Any conviction is prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Delaware
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Delaware’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Delaware Office of Apprenticeship and Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship and Training Section: Division of Industrial Affairs, Delaware Department of Labor
- Address: 4425 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19802
- Phone: (302) 761-8328
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Delaware
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Delaware
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Delaware vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 7,150 | $74,860 | $83,660 | $48,400 | $142,210 |
| Dover | 90 | $58,410 | $64,870 | $43,880 | $103,990 |
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 Delaware
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Delaware according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dover | 90 | $58,410 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Delaware
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Delaware earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Delaware general wage determinations show approximately $45.40 per hour in base pay plus $16.23 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $61.63 (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Delaware? Delaware currently employs approximately 1,590 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Delaware with an out-of-state license? Contact the Delaware Department of State - Board of Plumbing/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Delaware? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Delaware. You can also contact the Delaware Office of Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Delaware compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Delaware is $64,720, which is $1,750 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Delaware Department of State - Board of Plumbing/Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration - Licensing Information: https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/plumbers/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Delaware Office of Apprenticeship and Training: 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) |