How to Become A Plumber in Missouri
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Missouri
How do I 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 take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an 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.
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
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]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 4,060 | $77,000 | $81,070 | $47,040 | $121,230 |
| Kansas City | 3,740 | $76,150 | $79,030 | $46,800 | $122,820 |
| Springfield | 660 | $61,410 | $70,710 | $45,670 | $105,470 |
| Columbia | 310 | $58,010 | $63,500 | $36,800 | $96,920 |
| Jefferson City | 290 | $49,560 | $59,030 | $42,850 | $101,210 |
| St. Joseph | 200 | $68,290 | $74,440 | $47,660 | $116,580 |
| Joplin | 180 | $64,370 | $68,530 | $42,210 | $101,640 |
| Cape Girardeau | 120 | $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 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 4,060 | $77,000 |
| Kansas City | 3,740 | $76,150 |
| Springfield | 660 | $61,410 |
| Columbia | 310 | $58,010 |
| Jefferson City | 290 | $49,560 |
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.
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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 accredited 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.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & 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) |