How to Become a Plumber in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 14,120 plumbers earning a median $80,190 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center | 64.8 | Contact school for pricing | $32,931 | 86% | — | 106 mi |
| 2 | Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools | 58.9 | Contact school for pricing | $44,754 | 81% | — | 169 mi |
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| 3 | Lorain County Community College | 58.2 | $4,265 in-state / $8,860 out-of-state | $52,814 | 31% | Yes* | 81 mi |
| 4 | Columbus State Community College | 56.1 | $5,488 in-state / $11,224 out-of-state | $52,681 | 28% | Yes* | 163 mi |
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| 5 | Henry Ford College | 53.9 | $3,568 in-state / $7,816 out-of-state | $54,466 | 17% | Yes* | 10 mi |
| 6 | Macomb Community College | 51.8 | $3,660 in-state / $8,370 out-of-state | $50,529 | 18% | Yes* | 13 mi |
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| 7 | Portage Lakes Career Center | 50.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,410 | 69% | — | 126 mi |
| 8 | Owens Community College | 49.9 | $5,870 in-state / $10,502 out-of-state | $55,401 | 35% | Yes* | 61 mi |
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| 9 | Cuyahoga Community College District | 47.6 | $3,249 in-state / $7,249 out-of-state | $49,698 | 31% | Yes* | 91 mi |
| 10 | Delta College | 46.8 | $4,820 in-state / $7,880 out-of-state | $52,169 | 27% | Yes* | 97 mi |
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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.
Michigan employs approximately 14,120 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $80,190 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes
- Median wage (Michigan): $80,190 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Michigan
How to become a Plumber in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Inspector, Plumbing, Plumber, Journeyperson. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 2 years of experience. Confirm with the licensing board 3.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for plumbers in Michigan is $80,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,560 and experienced professionals can earn $103,430 or more 1.
How to Become a Plumber in Michigan
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Michigan training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Michigan that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Michigan.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees plumber licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Inspector, Plumbing | To receive a Plumbing Inspector registration, an applicant must first have possessed a journey license for at least 2 years OR should be licensed as a master plumber. |
| Plumber, Journeyperson | A journey plumber must have more than 6000 hours experience attained over a period of not less than 3 years as a registered plumbing?apprentice in the practical installation of plumbing under the supe… |
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 Michigan
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Michigan’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
- Phone: (810) 762-0200
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Michigan
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Michigan earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Michigan general wage determinations show approximately $51.30 per hour in base pay plus $25.87 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $77.17 (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 Michigan
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 5,520 | $86,370 | $81,710 | $48,250 | $107,780 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 2,270 | $80,440 | $76,460 | $46,630 | $98,210 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 870 | $90,730 | $80,730 | $48,200 | $111,670 |
| Flint | 790 | $80,510 | $79,280 | $46,010 | $105,850 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 650 | $78,190 | $74,130 | $44,190 | $97,740 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 490 | $74,190 | $74,000 | $46,420 | $99,060 |
| Ann Arbor | 420 | $78,210 | $78,780 | $47,610 | $102,590 |
| Saginaw | 260 | $80,440 | $77,380 | $45,520 | $101,440 |
| Jackson | 250 | $81,930 | $75,190 | $44,320 | $109,220 |
| Monroe | 250 | $80,700 | $78,320 | $45,610 | $102,160 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 200 | $76,290 | $71,270 | $43,930 | $91,730 |
| Traverse City | 190 | $63,100 | $70,190 | $41,940 | $95,400 |
| Battle Creek | 140 | $73,900 | $73,470 | $45,480 | $103,370 |
| Midland | 130 | $63,930 | $66,100 | $41,620 | $94,570 |
| Bay City | 110 | $74,490 | $73,650 | $39,040 | $106,870 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 90 | $82,200 | $77,450 | $48,030 | $98,620 |
| Niles | 90 | $59,810 | $63,220 | $39,590 | $92,880 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 14,120 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Michigan is $80,190, which is $17,220 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_10575—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: 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) |