How to Become A Plumber in Ohio
Ohio employs approximately 16,390 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,330 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 Ohio, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Ohio
How do I become a plumber in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as Plumber and Pipefitter License. The licensing authority is the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance 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 Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for plumbers in Ohio is $63,330 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,470 and experienced professionals can earn $101,410 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: Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance
- Median wage (Ohio): $63,330 per year 1
Plumber License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance oversees plumber licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumber and Pipefitter License | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Ohio
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Ohio’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
- Phone: (614) 466-6282
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 3,640 | $65,160 | $70,570 | $46,830 | $101,800 |
| Columbus | 3,060 | $63,260 | $69,140 | $40,820 | $103,000 |
| Cleveland | 3,040 | $63,020 | $69,670 | $46,330 | $101,220 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 1,130 | $62,940 | $69,230 | $46,680 | $99,180 |
| Toledo | 1,100 | $66,920 | $73,220 | $46,530 | $103,520 |
| Akron | 1,070 | $63,450 | $69,090 | $44,780 | $99,710 |
| Canton-Massillon | 460 | $59,960 | $65,310 | $39,100 | $90,440 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 460 | $62,160 | $64,940 | $39,010 | $86,840 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 410 | $59,680 | $65,370 | $39,190 | $94,370 |
| Lima | 170 | $61,160 | $70,290 | $47,010 | $98,240 |
| Wheeling | 150 | $64,060 | $67,670 | $39,450 | $92,980 |
| Mansfield | 120 | $59,770 | $62,640 | $44,950 | $85,300 |
| Sandusky | 110 | $65,780 | $69,430 | $47,380 | $96,410 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 100 | $64,100 | $63,050 | $37,420 | $85,830 |
| Springfield | 90 | $58,060 | $62,790 | $45,410 | $78,660 |
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 Ohio
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Ohio according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 3,640 | $65,160 |
| Columbus | 3,060 | $63,260 |
| Cleveland | 3,040 | $63,020 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 1,130 | $62,940 |
| Toledo | 1,100 | $66,920 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Ohio
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Ohio earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Ohio general wage determinations show approximately $27.79 per hour in base pay plus $14.49 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $42.28 (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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 16,390 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Ohio. You can also contact the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Ohio is $63,330, which is $360 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance - Licensing Information: https://www.com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎
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) |