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

Skilled trades

Kansas employs 4,590 plumbers, with a statewide median of $65,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay: $65,220 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,130
Experienced (75th percentile): $84,870
Top earners (90th percentile): $109,290
Employed in Kansas: 4,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Kansas City: $76,150 (3,740 employed)
Topeka: $75,090 (420 employed)
St. Joseph: $68,290 (200 employed)
Joplin: $64,370 (180 employed)
Wichita: $60,940 (1,060 employed)
Manhattan: $60,600 (200 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,220 median stretches to roughly $72,386 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to grow plumbers employment +4.8%, about in line with the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 390 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license (issued locally) — regulated by the Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide plumbing license).

Work as an apprentice plumber and build supervised experience.
Meet your local authority's requirements and pass its journeyman exam.
Get licensed by the city/county where you'll work — requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Official requirements: Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide plumbing license) →

Training in Kansas

Kansas licenses plumbers locally, not statewide. UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships; check your jurisdiction's rules.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kansas include:

Barton County Community College — Certificate
Butler Community College — Associate
Johnson County Community College — Certificate
Neosho County 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 Kansas?

The median wage for plumbers in Kansas is $65,220 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,290. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license (issued locally), overseen by the Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide plumbing license). Work as an apprentice plumber and build supervised experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Kansas?

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

Which Kansas metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Kansas City leads at $76,150, followed by Topeka ($75,090), St. Joseph ($68,290). 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 Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Barton County Community College, Butler Community College, Johnson County Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Kansas?

Kansas projects plumbers employment to change +4.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 390 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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Local city/county licensing (Kansas has no statewide plumbing 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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.