How to Become A Plumber in North Dakota
North Dakota employs approximately 1,620 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,560 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.26x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in North Dakota
How do I become a plumber in North Dakota? North Dakota requires credentials such as Plumbers (Journeyman), Plumbers (Apprentice), Plumbers (Master). The licensing authority is the ND State Plumbing Board 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 North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The ND State Plumbing Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for plumbers in North Dakota is $63,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,520 and experienced professionals can earn $83,560 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: ND State Plumbing Board
- Median wage (North Dakota): $63,560 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in North Dakota
The ND State Plumbing Board oversees plumber licensing in North Dakota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbers (Journeyman) | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Plumbers (Apprentice) | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Plumbers (Master) | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in North Dakota
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. North Dakota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Bismarck Field Office
- Address: 304 E. Broadway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5900
- Phone: (701) 250-4700
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 670 | $63,350 | $65,900 | $45,460 | $82,830 |
| Grand Forks | 240 | $62,940 | $65,090 | $45,850 | $83,820 |
| Bismarck | 220 | $70,310 | $70,030 | $46,830 | $94,940 |
| Minot | 150 | $62,400 | $65,250 | $46,030 | $82,380 |
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 North Dakota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within North Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 670 | $63,350 |
| Grand Forks | 240 | $62,940 |
| Bismarck | 220 | $70,310 |
| Minot | 150 | $62,400 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in North Dakota
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in North Dakota earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent North Dakota general wage determinations show approximately $40.53 per hour in base pay plus $20.60 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $61.13 (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 1,620 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in North Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND State Plumbing Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Dakota. You can also contact the North Dakota Workforce Development - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in North Dakota is $63,560, which is $590 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
ND State Plumbing Board - Licensing Information: http://www.ndplumbingboard.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
North Dakota Workforce Development - 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) |