How to Become A Plumber in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 13,620 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $68,080 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 Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Pennsylvania
How do I become a plumber in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Plumbing Inspector (UCC), Residential Plumbing Inspector (UCC), Plumbing Plans Examiner (UCC). The licensing authority is the PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division 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 Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for plumbers in Pennsylvania is $68,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,770 and experienced professionals can earn $134,110 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: PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $68,080 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division oversees plumber licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Inspector (UCC) | 5B Plumbing General OR P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector |
| Residential Plumbing Inspector (UCC) | 5A Plumbing 1&2 Family Dwelling OR P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector |
| Plumbing Plans Examiner (UCC) | 5B Plumbing General, 5C Plumbing Plan Review OR P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector & P3 Plumbing Plans Examiner |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: No exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Pennsylvania
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship and Training Office, PA Department of Labor and Industry
- Address: 1301 Labor and Industry Building, Harrisburg, PA 17121
- Phone: (800) 932-0665
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 7,150 | $74,860 | $83,660 | $48,400 | $142,210 |
| Pittsburgh | 2,910 | $70,100 | $75,420 | $46,910 | $107,870 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 950 | $73,560 | $78,560 | $48,080 | $104,630 |
| Lancaster | 820 | $61,950 | $66,880 | $46,220 | $98,740 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 730 | $64,940 | $75,490 | $46,460 | $138,040 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 450 | $61,160 | $65,250 | $43,690 | $98,150 |
| York-Hanover | 420 | $70,100 | $81,300 | $47,370 | $147,310 |
| Reading | 360 | $62,370 | $67,900 | $46,410 | $101,750 |
| Erie | 280 | $66,410 | $68,500 | $42,670 | $97,300 |
| Chambersburg | 140 | $60,200 | $60,560 | $37,560 | $85,460 |
| State College | 130 | $57,560 | $62,290 | $44,580 | $94,510 |
| Williamsport | 120 | $58,730 | $60,780 | $39,430 | $78,510 |
| Lebanon | 100 | $62,660 | $65,700 | $42,310 | $96,500 |
| Johnstown | 90 | $59,970 | $62,610 | $42,310 | $88,370 |
| Altoona | 80 | $61,430 | $62,350 | $40,100 | $80,700 |
| Gettysburg | 50 | $61,630 | $63,720 | $37,170 | $84,120 |
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 Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 7,150 | $74,860 |
| Pittsburgh | 2,910 | $70,100 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 950 | $73,560 |
| Lancaster | 820 | $61,950 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 730 | $64,940 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Pennsylvania
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Pennsylvania earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Pennsylvania general wage determinations show approximately $48.65 per hour in base pay plus $25.47 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $74.12 (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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 13,620 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania. You can also contact the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Pennsylvania is $68,080, which is $5,110 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division - Licensing Information: https://www.dli.pa.gov/ucc/Pages/Certified-Code-Officials.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered 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) |