How to Become A Plumber in Oklahoma
Oklahoma employs approximately 6,050 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,970 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 Oklahoma, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Oklahoma
How do I become a plumber in Oklahoma? Oklahoma requires credentials such as Plumbing Journeyman, Plumbing Inspector, Plumbing Contractor. The licensing authority is the Plumbing and Building Inspection - Construction Industries 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 Oklahoma? Yes. Oklahoma has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Plumbing and Building Inspection - Construction Industries Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Oklahoma? The median annual wage for plumbers in Oklahoma is $57,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,990 and experienced professionals can earn $82,560 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: Plumbing and Building Inspection - Construction Industries Board
- Median wage (Oklahoma): $57,970 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Oklahoma
The Plumbing and Building Inspection - Construction Industries Board oversees plumber licensing in Oklahoma 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Journeyman | JOB DESCRIPTION: A journeyman plumber installs, alters, and repairs pipes, fittings, and fixture for supplying water, heating water, and disposing of sewage in structures. |
| Plumbing Inspector | JOB DESCRIPTION: A plumbing inspector inspects plumbing installations for conformance to governmental codes, sanitation standards, and construction specifications. |
| Plumbing Contractor | JOB DESCRIPTION: A plumbing contractor installs, repairs, maintains, and/or renovates plumbing systems. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Oklahoma
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Oklahoma CareerTech
- Address: 1500 West 7th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074
- Phone: (405) 231-4338
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Oklahoma vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 2,400 | $59,150 | $61,390 | $38,760 | $83,260 |
| Tulsa | 1,950 | $59,440 | $59,160 | $37,990 | $80,420 |
| Fort Smith | 250 | $48,350 | $49,590 | $36,730 | $62,520 |
| Lawton | 130 | $51,870 | $53,690 | $36,650 | $76,580 |
| Enid | 100 | $56,860 | $55,330 | $34,340 | $82,450 |
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 Oklahoma
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Oklahoma according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 2,400 | $59,150 |
| Tulsa | 1,950 | $59,440 |
| Lawton | 130 | $51,870 |
| Enid | 100 | $56,860 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Oklahoma
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Oklahoma earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Oklahoma general wage determinations show approximately $18.00 per hour in base pay plus $3.23 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $21.23 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 5.
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 Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 6,050 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Oklahoma with an out-of-state license? Contact the Plumbing and Building Inspection - Construction Industries Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Oklahoma? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Oklahoma.
How much do plumbers earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Oklahoma is $57,970, which is $5,000 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Plumbing and Building Inspection - Construction Industries Board - Licensing Information: http://cib.ok.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |