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

Skilled trades

Delaware employs 1,590 plumbers, with a statewide median of $64,720 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Delaware (May 2025)

Delaware median pay: $64,720 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,990
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,830
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,520
Employed in Delaware: 1,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Philadelphia: $74,860 (7,150 employed)
Dover: $58,410 (90 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware

Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,720 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)

Delaware is projected to grow plumbers employment +12.8%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 170 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Delaware License and Certification Requirements

Journeyperson Plumber license — regulated by the Delaware DPR — Board of Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration Examiners.

Complete an apprenticeship (or document the required verifiable work experience — up to ~7 years without an apprenticeship).
Pass the journeyperson plumber exam.
Apply to DPR; add a master plumber license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Delaware DPR — Board of Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration Examiners →

Training in Delaware

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Delaware licenses plumbers statewide through DPR.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:

Polytech Adult Education — 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 Delaware?

The median wage for plumbers in Delaware is $64,720 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyperson Plumber license, overseen by the Delaware DPR — Board of Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration Examiners. Complete an apprenticeship (or document the required verifiable work experience — up to ~7 years without an apprenticeship).

Is being a Plumber a good career in Delaware?

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

Which Delaware metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $74,860, followed by Dover ($58,410). 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 Delaware?

Real Delaware options include Polytech Adult Education. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Delaware?

Delaware projects plumbers employment to change +12.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170 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), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Delaware DPR — Board of Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration Examiners (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 Delaware wages · Delaware 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.