How to Become a Plumber in Idaho (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Idaho employs about 3,090 plumbers earning a median $52,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board credentialing requirements.

Compare Plumber Schools in Idaho

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
173.8Contact school for pricing$42,07075%Yes*256 mi
266.6$3,390 in-state / $6,750 out-of-state$55,12339%Yes*211 mi
Sponsored Ad
365.3Contact school for pricing$63,92379%—294 mi
463.7Contact school for pricing$47,22453%Yes*270 mi
Sponsored Ad
559.3Contact school for pricing$39,28484%—313 mi
651.6$4,426 in-state / $14,244 out-of-state$55,27929%Yes*298 mi
Sponsored Ad
747.9Contact school for pricing$47,70657%—282 mi
846.4$3,396 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state$50,31238%Yes*282 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

Idaho employs approximately 3,090 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,380 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.20x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Idaho, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Idaho

How to become a Plumber in Idaho? Idaho requires credentials such as Journeyman Plumber, Specialty Apprentice Plumber, Apprentice Plumber. The licensing authority is the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? The primary license lists approximately 8,000 hours of training or supervised practice. Confirm the current total with the state board 3.

Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do plumbers earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for plumbers in Idaho is $52,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,430 and experienced professionals can earn $82,620 or more 1.

How to Become a Plumber in Idaho

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Idaho training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Idaho that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Idaho.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.

Plumber License Requirements in Idaho

The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board oversees plumber licensing in Idaho 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Journeyman PlumberSee the state licensing board for current requirements.
Specialty Apprentice PlumberSpecialty plumbers must be licensed by the state of Idaho and are only allowed to work in their area of specialization.
Apprentice PlumberPlumbers must be licensed by the state of Idaho. There are three certificates of competency available to plumbers in Idaho: apprentice registration, journeyman license, and contractor’s license.

Additional Requirements

  • Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
  • Exam: State exam required
  • Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.

Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Idaho

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Idaho’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship 5.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Idaho Office of Apprenticeship
  • Address: 317 W. Main St., Boise, ID 97232
  • Phone: (208) 332-3570
  • Email: [email protected]

Federal Prevailing Wage in Idaho

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Idaho earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Idaho general wage determinations show approximately $44.57 per hour in base pay plus $26.58 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $71.15 (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 Idaho

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Idaho vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boise City1,760$56,940$59,620$39,450$82,770
Coeur d'Alene260$50,270$57,530$39,680$78,030
Idaho Falls260$51,420$58,490$38,400$78,900
Twin Falls180$50,700$52,990$36,740$77,600
Logan170$60,390$59,990$38,790$76,530
Pocatello100$50,020$55,960$38,950$70,580
Lewiston70$55,240$63,440$38,390$109,420

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 Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 3,090 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a plumber in Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Idaho. You can also contact the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do plumbers earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Idaho is $52,380, which is $10,590 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Idaho

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Idaho

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Plumbing Board - Licensing Information: http://dbs.idaho.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

  5. Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Job-Seekers/On-the-Job-Training/Apprenticeships ↩︎

  6. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)