How to Become A Plumber in Vermont
Vermont employs approximately 980 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,170 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 Vermont, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Vermont
How do I become a plumber in Vermont? Vermont requires credentials such as Plumber. The licensing authority is the Vermont Department of Public Safety - Trade Licensing and Certifications 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 Vermont? Yes. Vermont has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Vermont Department of Public Safety - Trade Licensing and Certifications oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Vermont? The median annual wage for plumbers in Vermont is $62,170 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,800 and experienced professionals can earn $91,940 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: Vermont Department of Public Safety - Trade Licensing and Certifications
- Median wage (Vermont): $62,170 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Public Safety - Trade Licensing and Certifications oversees plumber licensing in Vermont 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumber | Assemble, install, and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures of heating, water, and drainage systems, according to specifications and plumbing codes. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Vermont
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Vermont’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Vermont Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Vermont Department of Labor, Apprenticeship Division
- Address: 5 Green Mountain Drive, Montpelier, VT 05601-0488
- Phone: (802) 828-4000
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Vermont
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Vermont
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Vermont vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | 470 | $67,450 | $70,170 | $48,800 | $91,510 |
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 Vermont
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Vermont according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | 470 | $67,450 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Vermont
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Vermont earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Vermont general wage determinations show approximately $24.04 per hour in base pay plus $8.25 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $32.29 (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 Vermont? Vermont currently employs approximately 980 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Vermont with an out-of-state license? Contact the Vermont Department of Public Safety - Trade Licensing and Certifications for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Vermont? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Vermont. You can also contact the Vermont Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Vermont compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Vermont is $62,170, which is $800 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Vermont Department of Public Safety - Trade Licensing and Certifications - Licensing Information: https://firesafety.vermont.gov/licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Vermont Office of Apprenticeship: https://labor.vermont.gov/sites/labor/files/doc_library/list%20Sponsors%20revised%207-19-2019.pdf ↩︎
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) |