Plumber in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Arizona employs 11,810 plumbers, with a statewide median of $62,070 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Arizona (May 2025)

Arizona median pay: $62,070 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,640
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,610
Top earners (90th percentile): $100,120
Employed in Arizona: 11,810
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Arizona markets:

Phoenix: $63,750 (9,270 employed)
Tucson: $59,070 (1,170 employed)
Yuma: $58,980 (170 employed)
Prescott: $58,670 (370 employed)
Flagstaff: $58,520 (90 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona

Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,070 median is worth closer to $61,639 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Arizona (2024–2034)

Arizona is projected to grow plumbers employment +21.7%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,542 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Arizona License and Certification Requirements

No statewide journeyman plumber license — ROC contractor license required to operate independently — regulated by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman plumber license.

Arizona has no statewide journeyman plumber license for individual workers. Plumbers work under an ROC-licensed plumbing contractor without needing their own state license.
To run your own plumbing contracting business, you need an ROC plumbing contractor license: 4 years of trade experience, passing the PSI trade exam and AZ Business Management exam, plus bonding and insurance.
The City of Phoenix issues local journeyman plumber licenses — check with Phoenix PDD if primarily working there. UA Local 469 (Phoenix) and UA Local 741 (Tucson) run UA plumber apprenticeship programs.

Official requirements: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman plumber license →

Training in Arizona

Arizona's rapid population growth — particularly in the Phoenix metro and Tucson — drives enormous plumbing demand for new construction and renovation. UA apprenticeships are the fastest route to journeyman-level wages. Non-union entry: apply to plumbing contractors as a helper and work toward ROC contractor status over time.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arizona include:

Arizona Western College — Certificate / Associate
East Valley Institute of Technology — Certificate
GateWay Community College — Certificate / Associate
Mesa Community College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Arizona?

The median wage for plumbers in Arizona is $62,070 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,640, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,120. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Arizona?

No statewide journeyman plumber license — ROC contractor license required to operate independently, overseen by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman plumber license. Arizona has no statewide journeyman plumber license for individual workers. Plumbers work under an ROC-licensed plumbing contractor without needing their own state license.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Arizona?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Arizona metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Arizona metro areas, Phoenix leads at $63,750, followed by Tucson ($59,070), Yuma ($58,980). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Plumber in Arizona?

Real Arizona options include Arizona Western College, East Valley Institute of Technology, GateWay Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Arizona?

Arizona projects plumbers employment to change +21.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,542 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman plumber license (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arizona wages · Arizona licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.