What is a master plumber and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a master plumber. For example, did you know that they make an average of $26.01 an hour? That's $54,091 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 9,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreMaster PlumberUS Average
Salary
4.2

Avg. Salary $54,091

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.8

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.96%

Asian 1.88%

Black or African American 9.63%

Hispanic or Latino 18.08%

Unknown 4.15%

White 65.30%

Gender

female 2.76%

male 97.24%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.6

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

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Master Plumber career paths

Key steps to become a master plumber

  1. Explore master plumber education requirements

    Most common master plumber degrees

    High School Diploma

    34.6 %

    Associate

    17.0 %

    Master's

    16.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific master plumber skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Plumbing29.50%
    Hand Tools6.69%
    HVAC6.13%
    Water Heaters4.87%
    Plumbers4.48%
  3. Complete relevant master plumber training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New master plumbers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a master plumber based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real master plumber resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed master plumber usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed master plumber in most of states. 33 states require master plumbers to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    State
    ascdesc
    Education
    ascdesc
    Exam
    ascdesc
    License Url
    ascdesc
    Alabama--Certified Master Plumber
    MarylandSpecific course requiredState exam requiredPLUMBER
    Arkansas-State exam requiredJourneyman Plumber
    Colorado-State exam requiredJourneyman Plumber
    Connecticut-State exam requiredPlumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson
  5. Gain additional master plumber certifications

    Master plumber certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific master plumber certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for master plumbers include OSHA Safety Certificate and Heating Professional.

    More About Certifications
  6. Research master plumber duties and responsibilities

    • Install pvc, c900 and ductile iron sewers.
    • Install copper, pvc and cast iron water mains.
    • Install water heater and place toilets, faucets, and dishwashers.
    • Install and repair portable water lines, fixtures including faucets, basins, water closets and urinals.
  7. Prepare your master plumber resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your master plumber resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a master plumber resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Master Plumber Resume templates

    Build a professional Master Plumber resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Master Plumber resume.
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
    Master Plumber Resume
  8. Apply for master plumber jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a master plumber job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Master Plumber Job

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Average master plumber salary

The average Master Plumber salary in the United States is $54,091 per year or $26 per hour. Master plumber salaries range between $36,000 and $80,000 per year.

Average Master Plumber Salary
$54,091 Yearly
$26.01 hourly

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How do master plumbers rate their job?

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Master Plumber reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

The work and the money. Big jobs. Guys that know their trade and pride themselves with great work.

Cons

Drain cleaning, jetting. Wanna be's and people that are late and unreliable.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Plumbing and fittings

Cons

Laziness in the jod I do not like that, effort towards endurance


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Cons

Not being told what to do. Taking the initiative .


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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