Plumber in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Georgia employs 8,930 plumbers, with a statewide median of $57,200 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Plumbers Earn in Georgia (May 2025)
- Georgia median pay
- $57,200 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $37,680
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $68,640
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $80,740
- Employed in Georgia
- 8,930
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,970 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Georgia markets:
- Savannah
- $60,530 (380 employed)
- Atlanta metro
- $58,380 (5,470 employed)
- Augusta
- $54,690 (540 employed)
- Macon
- $48,110 (170 employed)
- Columbus
- $47,410 (200 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia
Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,200 median stretches to roughly $59,398 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)
Georgia is projected to grow plumbers employment +10.1%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 760 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Georgia License and Certification Requirements
Journeyman Plumber → Master Plumber (statewide) — regulated by the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board — Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers.
- Georgia licenses plumbers statewide: Journeyman requires 3 years of experience plus the state exam ($30 application, ~$214 exam).
- Master Plumber requires 5 years of experience including 2 years as a licensed Journeyman.
- Renew biennially ($35 journeyman) with annual continuing education.
Training in Georgia
A true statewide journeyman license — portable across all of Georgia. UA Local 72 (Atlanta) runs paid apprenticeships, and technical college plumbing programs qualify for HOPE Career Grant funding.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:
- Albany Technical College — Certificate
- Atlanta Technical College — Certificate
- Central Georgia Technical College — Certificate
- Georgia Piedmont Technical 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 Georgia?
The median wage for plumbers in Georgia is $57,200 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,680, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,740. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Georgia?
Journeyman Plumber → Master Plumber (statewide), overseen by the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board — Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers. Georgia licenses plumbers statewide: Journeyman requires 3 years of experience plus the state exam ($30 application, ~$214 exam).
Is being a Plumber a good career in Georgia?
Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.
Which Georgia metros pay plumbers the most?
Among Georgia metro areas, Savannah leads at $60,530, followed by Atlanta metro ($58,380), Augusta ($54,690). 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 Georgia?
Real Georgia options include Albany Technical College, Atlanta Technical College, Central Georgia Technical College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Plumber a growing career in Georgia?
Georgia projects plumbers employment to change +10.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 760 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), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board — Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (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 Georgia wages · Georgia 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.