How to Become a Plumber in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina employs about 14,510 plumbers earning a median $57,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in North Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | 73.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,444 | 81% | Yes* | 110 mi |
| 2 | Academy of Careers and Technology | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $42,573 | 81% | — | 179 mi |
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| 3 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | $2,748 in-state / $8,892 out-of-state | $48,346 | 34% | Yes* | 178 mi |
| 4 | Wake Technical Community College | 55.3 | $2,254 in-state / $6,862 out-of-state | $49,034 | 33% | Yes* | 124 mi |
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| 5 | Forsyth Technical Community College | 52.9 | $2,276 in-state / $6,884 out-of-state | $48,625 | 34% | Yes* | 66 mi |
| 6 | Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | 48.1 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $42,469 | 47% | Yes* | 170 mi |
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| 7 | Cleveland Community College | 46.6 | $2,602 in-state / $8,746 out-of-state | $41,985 | 32% | Yes* | 37 mi |
| 8 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | $2,628 in-state / $8,772 out-of-state | $48,138 | 24% | Yes* | 109 mi |
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| 9 | Guilford Technical Community College | 35.2 | $2,320 in-state / $7,696 out-of-state | $44,924 | 31% | Yes* | 74 mi |
| 10 | Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville | 31.5 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 78% | — | 111 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.
North Carolina employs approximately 14,510 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,080 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 North Carolina, 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: NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors
- Median wage (North Carolina): $57,080 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in North Carolina
How to become a Plumber in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Plumbing Technician, Plumbing Technician (Private Educational Institution), Plumbing Technician (State & Local Government). The licensing authority is the NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for plumbers in North Carolina is $57,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,860 and experienced professionals can earn $75,850 or more 1.
How to Become a Plumber in North Carolina
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in North Carolina.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors oversees plumber licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Technician | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Plumbing Technician (Private Educational Institution) | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Plumbing Technician (State & Local Government) | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Special Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning | This license allows individuals to install, maintain, or repair electric wiring or devices only as an incident to the licensee?s plumbing, heating, or air conditioning business. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in North Carolina
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Forsyth Tech Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Phone: (336) 723-0371
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in North Carolina
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in North Carolina earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent North Carolina general wage determinations show approximately $23.11 per hour in base pay plus $0.00 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $23.11 (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.
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 5,100 | $61,870 | $59,280 | $45,720 | $75,410 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,840 | $58,690 | $58,140 | $42,320 | $76,010 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,810 | $60,540 | $60,290 | $42,940 | $77,610 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 1,110 | $57,510 | $56,230 | $39,550 | $73,860 |
| Winston-Salem | 860 | $49,240 | $53,170 | $37,830 | $72,160 |
| Wilmington | 690 | $56,390 | $56,280 | $39,090 | $76,600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 620 | $60,110 | $58,630 | $43,820 | $76,460 |
| Asheville | 460 | $59,200 | $56,120 | $39,550 | $73,760 |
| Fayetteville | 390 | $51,740 | $54,690 | $37,440 | $74,540 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 330 | $51,330 | $53,370 | $37,380 | $69,230 |
| Jacksonville | 270 | $53,230 | $56,010 | $37,840 | $78,730 |
| Burlington | 260 | $56,890 | $56,230 | $38,730 | $74,050 |
| Greenville | 250 | $57,080 | $56,470 | $40,190 | $74,530 |
| Goldsboro | 160 | $51,260 | $53,040 | $36,460 | $68,370 |
| Rocky Mount | 140 | $56,220 | $55,600 | $37,300 | $74,140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 130 | $48,440 | $52,370 | $38,690 | $61,480 |
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 North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 14,510 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina. You can also contact the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in North Carolina is $57,080, which is $5,890 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board Examiners of Plumbing Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors - Licensing Information: https://nclicensing.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships: 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) |