How to Become a Plumber in Missouri (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 8,310 plumbers earning a median $66,790 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most plumbers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Missouri.

Compare Plumber Schools in Missouri

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
171.0$8,880$56,77468%Yes*63 mi
255.6$3,690 in-state / $4,320 out-of-state$54,27738%Yes*160 mi
Sponsored Ad
355.0$5,780$55,33834%Yes*110 mi
455.0$2,424 in-state / $5,688 out-of-state$52,95631%Yes*15 mi
Sponsored Ad
552.6$3,342 in-state / $5,238 out-of-state$48,05631%Yes*191 mi
651.7$3,048 in-state / $6,096 out-of-state$48,36925%Yes*213 mi
Sponsored Ad
750.8$3,680 in-state / $4,960 out-of-state$48,24233%Yes*229 mi
848.3$6,930 in-state / $7,080 out-of-state$51,13940%Yes*164 mi
Sponsored Ad
946.7$3,375 in-state / $4,950 out-of-state$53,37629%Yes*166 mi
1044.9$3,541 in-state / $6,271 out-of-state$46,56932%Yes*153 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.

Missouri employs approximately 8,310 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $66,790 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 Missouri, including 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
  • Median wage (Missouri): $66,790 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Missouri

How to become a Plumber in Missouri? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for plumbers in Missouri.

How long does it take? Most paths into the plumber field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do plumbers earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for plumbers in Missouri is $66,790 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,780 and experienced professionals can earn $117,180 or more 1.

How to Become a Plumber in Missouri

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Missouri 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 Missouri that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Missouri.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Missouri, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

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

Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Missouri

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Missouri’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Missouri Division of Workforce Development
  • Address: 3315 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102-0599
  • Email: [email protected]

Federal Prevailing Wage in Missouri

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Missouri earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Missouri general wage determinations show approximately $52.60 per hour in base pay plus $29.93 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $82.53 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 4.

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 Missouri

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
St. Louis4,060$77,000$81,070$47,040$121,230
Kansas City3,740$76,150$79,030$46,800$122,820
Springfield660$61,410$70,710$45,670$105,470
Columbia310$58,010$63,500$36,800$96,920
Jefferson City290$49,560$59,030$42,850$101,210
St. Joseph200$68,290$74,440$47,660$116,580
Joplin180$64,370$68,530$42,210$101,640
Cape Girardeau120$65,180$71,660$40,100$104,070

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 Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 8,310 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Missouri. You can also contact the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do plumbers earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Missouri is $66,790, which is $3,820 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Missouri

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Missouri

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. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

  4. 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)