How to Become A Plumber in Mississippi
Mississippi employs approximately 3,360 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $55,480 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 Mississippi, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Mississippi
How do I become a plumber in Mississippi? Mississippi requires credentials such as Plumbing. The licensing authority is the MS State Board of Contractors 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 Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The MS State Board of Contractors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for plumbers in Mississippi is $55,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,830 and experienced professionals can earn $75,470 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: MS State Board of Contractors
- Median wage (Mississippi): $55,480 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Choice of state or third-party exam
Plumber License Requirements in Mississippi
The MS State Board of Contractors oversees plumber licensing in Mississippi 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Choice of state or third-party exam
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Mississippi
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mississippi Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1235 Echelon Pkwy, Jackson, MS 39213
- Phone: (601) 321-6000
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Mississippi vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1,920 | $58,690 | $60,500 | $37,530 | $82,020 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 1,240 | $63,040 | $58,570 | $39,630 | $72,390 |
| Jackson | 550 | $57,160 | $57,220 | $37,550 | $75,650 |
| Hattiesburg | 80 | $49,940 | $53,300 | $38,040 | $69,590 |
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 Mississippi
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Mississippi according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi | 1,240 | $63,040 |
| Jackson | 550 | $57,160 |
| Hattiesburg | 80 | $49,940 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Mississippi
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Mississippi earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Mississippi general wage determinations show approximately $30.41 per hour in base pay plus $11.47 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $41.88 (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 Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 3,360 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS State Board of Contractors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Mississippi? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Mississippi.
How much do plumbers earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Mississippi is $55,480, which is $7,490 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS State Board of Contractors - Licensing Information: https://www.msboc.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |