How to Become a Plumber in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin employs about 10,210 plumbers earning a median $81,210 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Wisconsin
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Valley Technical College | 67.6 | $5,040 in-state / $7,283 out-of-state | $55,857 | 65% | Yes* | 90 mi |
| 2 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | 65.2 | $4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state | $50,757 | 66% | Yes* | 138 mi |
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| 3 | Waukesha County Technical College | 62.3 | $4,872 in-state / $7,115 out-of-state | $57,764 | 44% | Yes* | 18 mi |
| 4 | Northcentral Technical College | 57.8 | $4,889 in-state / $7,132 out-of-state | $50,869 | 45% | Yes* | 160 mi |
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| 5 | Mid-State Technical College | 56.9 | $5,002 in-state / $7,171 out-of-state | $53,827 | 52% | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 6 | Western Technical College | 56.2 | $4,820 in-state / $7,078 out-of-state | $53,114 | 34% | Yes* | 176 mi |
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| 7 | Gateway Technical College | 56.0 | $4,956 in-state / $7,199 out-of-state | $54,142 | 51% | Yes* | 30 mi |
| 8 | Triton College | 54.9 | $5,070 in-state / $15,330 out-of-state | $52,701 | 29% | Yes* | 78 mi |
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| 9 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | 52.5 | $5,184 in-state / $7,427 out-of-state | $52,346 | 25% | Yes* | 1 mi |
| 10 | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | 37.3 | $4,590 in-state / $15,150 out-of-state | $43,247 | 31% | Yes* | 88 mi |
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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.
Wisconsin employs approximately 10,210 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $81,210 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 Wisconsin, 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $81,210 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Wisconsin
How to become a Plumber in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as PLUMBING APPRENTICE, COMMERCIAL PLUMBING INSPECTOR, PLUMBING LEARNER RESTRICTED SERVICE. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for plumbers in Wisconsin is $81,210 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,020 and experienced professionals can earn $120,070 or more 1.
How to Become a Plumber in Wisconsin
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Wisconsin.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees plumber licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PLUMBING APPRENTICE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4), Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| COMMERCIAL PLUMBING INSPECTOR | Reason for Credential: A person who holds a credential issued by the department as a certified commercial plumbing inspector may conduct inspections of public buildings and places of employment for th… |
| PLUMBING LEARNER RESTRICTED SERVICE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| PLUMBING LEARNER RESTRICTED APPLIANCE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| DESIGNER OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS - Plumbing & Private Sewage | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| UDC PLUMBING INSPECTOR, ONE AND TWO FAMILY HOMES | Reason for Credential: Pursuant s. 101.66 (2), Stats., no person may conduct the inspection of one- and two-family dwellings for the purpose of administering and enforcing chs. |
| MASTER PLUMBER | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| MASTER PLUMBER RESTRICTED APPLIANCE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER Restricted Service | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER Restricted Appliance | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| PIPELAYER | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| MASTER PLUMBER RESTRICTED SERVICE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 145.06 (4) Stats., and pursuant to s. 145.06, Stats. |
| PIPELAYER | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber Apprenticeship Information in Wisconsin
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Wisconsin’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
- Address: 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
- Phone: (608) 733-3930
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Wisconsin
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Wisconsin earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Wisconsin general wage determinations show approximately $60.05 per hour in base pay plus $27.90 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $87.95 (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 Wisconsin
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 6,730 | $101,630 | $92,030 | $51,370 | $121,720 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 2,760 | $84,700 | $89,150 | $56,520 | $124,470 |
| Madison | 1,590 | $85,160 | $86,590 | $48,310 | $123,270 |
| Appleton | 890 | $91,750 | $86,560 | $52,910 | $119,880 |
| Green Bay | 730 | $90,570 | $86,800 | $53,590 | $120,070 |
| Duluth | 420 | $85,060 | $80,110 | $46,300 | $109,350 |
| Fond du Lac | 280 | $77,310 | $83,340 | $47,110 | $124,720 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 280 | $82,610 | $82,140 | $49,770 | $105,590 |
| Wausau | 260 | $86,750 | $83,350 | $50,380 | $103,440 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 240 | $77,070 | $81,250 | $50,070 | $116,240 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 230 | $86,320 | $86,490 | $53,340 | $110,900 |
| Eau Claire | 210 | $92,720 | $83,820 | $51,240 | $103,150 |
| Kenosha | 150 | $77,340 | $82,280 | $51,440 | $112,750 |
| Sheboygan | 150 | $91,530 | $83,390 | $48,960 | $109,950 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 140 | $79,070 | $81,660 | $47,700 | $108,020 |
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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 10,210 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin. You can also contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Wisconsin is $81,210, which is $18,240 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/appr_stats/active_wtt.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) |