How to Become A Plumber in Georgia
Georgia employs approximately 8,930 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,200 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 Georgia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Georgia
How do I become a plumber in Georgia? Georgia requires credentials such as Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber - Restricted, Master Plumber - Non-Restricted. The licensing authority is the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board 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 Georgia? Yes. Georgia has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for plumbers in Georgia is $57,200 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,680 and experienced professionals can earn $80,740 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: Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Median wage (Georgia): $57,200 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Georgia
The Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board oversees plumber licensing in Georgia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber | Plumbers and pipefitters install, maintain, alter or repair piping fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, venting systems, or public… |
| Master Plumber - Restricted | Applicant requirements for a journeyman plumber license: three years of approved experience in plumbing work pass a written exam Applicant requirements for a restricted or non-restricted master plumbe… |
| Master Plumber - Non-Restricted | Applicant requirements for a journeyman plumber license: three years of approved experience in plumbing work pass a written exam Applicant requirements for a restricted or non-restricted master plumbe… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Affidavit or referral required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Georgia
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Chatham Apprentice Program - StepUp Savannah
- Address: 428 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401
- Phone: (912) 232-6747
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 5,470 | $58,380 | $60,020 | $37,900 | $81,580 |
| Chattanooga | 860 | $58,720 | $59,950 | $37,670 | $78,880 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 540 | $54,690 | $56,220 | $36,490 | $77,330 |
| Savannah | 380 | $60,530 | $59,510 | $37,580 | $78,840 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 210 | $57,750 | $57,640 | $38,790 | $75,520 |
| Gainesville | 210 | $51,170 | $55,150 | $36,400 | $76,430 |
| Columbus | 200 | $47,410 | $52,590 | $35,360 | $75,860 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 170 | $48,110 | $52,610 | $35,930 | $70,480 |
| Albany | 140 | $47,700 | $53,850 | $34,560 | $76,960 |
| Warner Robins | 130 | $58,500 | $56,010 | $38,490 | $70,790 |
| Dalton | 90 | $47,370 | $52,410 | $37,670 | $72,530 |
| Valdosta | 80 | $46,070 | $50,240 | $37,410 | $62,040 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | 70 | $59,630 | $65,770 | $45,560 | $101,530 |
| Hinesville | 50 | $47,520 | $51,390 | $35,940 | $66,880 |
| Rome | 40 | $48,400 | $52,010 | $39,470 | $59,800 |
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 Georgia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 5,470 | $58,380 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 540 | $54,690 |
| Savannah | 380 | $60,530 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 210 | $57,750 |
| Gainesville | 210 | $51,170 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Georgia
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Georgia earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Georgia general wage determinations show approximately $30.00 per hour in base pay plus $16.66 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $46.66 (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 Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 8,930 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Georgia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.
How much do plumbers earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Georgia is $57,200, which is $5,770 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board - Licensing Information: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |