How to Become a Plumber in Washington (2026)
Washington employs about 12,470 plumbers earning a median $81,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Department of Labor and Industries credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Washington
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perry Technical Institute | 65.3 | Contact school for pricing | $63,923 | 79% | — | 111 mi |
| 2 | Peninsula College | 58.8 | $4,718 in-state / $5,270 out-of-state | $44,056 | 37% | Yes* | 61 mi |
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| 3 | North Idaho College | 46.4 | $3,396 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state | $50,312 | 38% | Yes* | 258 mi |
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.
Washington employs approximately 12,470 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $81,030 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 Washington, 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: Department of Labor and Industries
- Median wage (Washington): $81,030 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Washington
How to become a Plumber in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Plumber. The licensing authority is the Department of Labor and Industries 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 Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Department of Labor and Industries oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Washington? The median annual wage for plumbers in Washington is $81,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $49,490 and experienced professionals can earn $141,860 or more 1.
How to Become a Plumber in Washington
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Washington 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 Washington 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 Department of Labor and Industries, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Washington.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Labor and Industries oversees plumber licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumber | Individuals must pass the required Plumber Certification examination, submit the required application and pay the required $151.90 fee. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Washington
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Washington’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Address: 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501-5414
- Phone: (360) 902-5320
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Washington
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Washington earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Washington general wage determinations show approximately $47.15 per hour in base pay plus $27.20 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $74.35 (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 Washington
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 9,420 | $71,860 | $75,090 | $47,480 | $114,400 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 6,350 | $95,230 | $96,250 | $51,930 | $153,500 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 4,600 | $101,010 | $100,710 | $57,640 | $147,100 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 1,040 | $82,960 | $80,790 | $57,760 | $102,290 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 840 | $97,130 | $94,650 | $47,720 | $145,880 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 810 | $72,800 | $75,720 | $47,830 | $105,980 |
| Bellingham | 540 | $102,750 | $102,860 | $49,620 | $144,540 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 310 | $80,030 | $82,440 | $47,400 | $131,510 |
| Yakima | 240 | $60,900 | $68,900 | $45,980 | $101,380 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 230 | $77,540 | $79,750 | $48,820 | $119,100 |
| Longview-Kelso | 200 | $80,710 | $84,420 | $54,170 | $129,180 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 180 | $74,200 | $74,680 | $46,930 | $99,550 |
| Walla Walla | 80 | $70,390 | $73,460 | $44,730 | $122,990 |
| Lewiston | 70 | $55,240 | $63,440 | $38,390 | $109,420 |
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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 12,470 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Labor and Industries for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington. You can also contact the Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Washington is $81,030, which is $18,060 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Labor and Industries - Licensing Information: http://www.lni.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/arts-public/#/ ↩︎
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) |