How to Become A Plumber in Maryland
Maryland employs approximately 11,420 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $65,400 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.38x 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 Maryland, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Maryland
How do I become a plumber in Maryland? Maryland requires credentials such as MASTER PLUMBER/GAS FITTER, JOURNEY PLUMBER/GAS FITTER, PLUMBING INSPECTOR. The licensing authority is the Maryland Department of Labor - State Board of Plumbing 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 Maryland? Yes. Maryland has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Maryland Department of Labor - State Board of Plumbing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for plumbers in Maryland is $65,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,630 and experienced professionals can earn $108,420 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: Maryland Department of Labor - State Board of Plumbing
- Median wage (Maryland): $65,400 per year 1
Plumber License Requirements in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Labor - State Board of Plumbing oversees plumber licensing in Maryland 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| MASTER PLUMBER/GAS FITTER | |
| JOURNEY PLUMBER/GAS FITTER | |
| PLUMBING INSPECTOR |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Maryland
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Maryland’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Maryland Apprenticeship & Training Program, Division of Workforce Development
- Address: 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Phone: (410) 767-2246
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Maryland vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 9,420 | $71,860 | $75,090 | $47,480 | $114,400 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 7,150 | $74,860 | $83,660 | $48,400 | $142,210 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 5,220 | $63,200 | $70,780 | $45,220 | $102,640 |
| Salisbury | 330 | $61,940 | $64,940 | $39,470 | $97,060 |
| Lexington Park | 260 | $57,700 | $63,710 | $41,940 | $96,870 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 250 | $55,130 | $58,480 | $37,530 | $87,880 |
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 Maryland
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Maryland according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 5,220 | $63,200 |
| Salisbury | 330 | $61,940 |
| Lexington Park | 260 | $57,700 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 250 | $55,130 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Maryland
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Maryland earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Maryland general wage determinations show approximately $46.21 per hour in base pay plus $24.90 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $71.11 (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 Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 11,420 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Maryland with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maryland Department of Labor - State Board of Plumbing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maryland. You can also contact the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Maryland is $65,400, which is $2,430 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maryland Department of Labor - State Board of Plumbing - Licensing Information: https://candidate.psiexams.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Maryland Apprenticeship and Training: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/approcc/approcclinks.shtml ↩︎
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) |