How to Become a Plumber in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania employs about 13,620 plumbers earning a median $68,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Pennsylvania
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berk Trade and Business School | 74.0 | Contact school for pricing | $47,739 | 95% | — | 84 mi |
| 2 | Union County Vocational Technical School | 67.5 | Contact school for pricing | $37,626 | 99% | — | 63 mi |
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| 3 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | 67.0 | $9,050 | $57,788 | 71% | — | 60 mi |
| 4 | Polytech Adult Education | 60.8 | Contact school for pricing | $54,607 | 70% | — | 64 mi |
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| 5 | Orleans Technical College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | $48,804 | 90% | — | 12 mi |
| 6 | Ocean County Vocational-Technical School | 59.5 | Contact school for pricing | $42,510 | 65% | — | 52 mi |
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| 7 | Delaware County Community College | 50.1 | $6,930 in-state / $15,540 out-of-state | $56,647 | 24% | Yes* | 12 mi |
| 8 | Pennco Tech-Bristol | 48.9 | Contact school for pricing | $43,445 | 84% | — | 18 mi |
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| 9 | Berks Career & Technology Center | 44.8 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 62% | — | 54 mi |
| 10 | Lehigh Career & Technical Institute | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 54 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
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.
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.
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
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Pennsylvania
How to 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 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 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.
How to Become a Plumber in Pennsylvania
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 PA Department of Labor & Industry - Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Pennsylvania.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
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) | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Residential Plumbing Inspector (UCC) | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| Plumbing Plans Examiner (UCC) | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
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]
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.
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 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.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |