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

Skilled trades

Louisiana employs 8,360 plumbers, with a statewide median of $63,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $63,680 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,870
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,540
Employed in Louisiana: 8,360
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Baton Rouge: $74,240 (2,790 employed)
Lake Charles: $67,990 (560 employed)
New Orleans: $62,450 (1,510 employed)
Shreveport: $59,720 (680 employed)
Slidell: $58,750 (340 employed)
Lafayette: $57,930 (680 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,680 median stretches to roughly $72,200 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to grow plumbers employment +5.9%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 900 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

Residential / Journeyman / Master Plumber license — regulated by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA).

Work as a plumber's apprentice and accumulate about 5 years (8,000 hours) of experience.
Apply to the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and pass the journeyman exam.
Add the Master Plumber license to contract independently.

Official requirements: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) →

Training in Louisiana

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Louisiana licenses plumbers at the state level — start logging supervised hours early.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate
Delgado Community College — Certificate
River Parishes 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 Louisiana?

The median wage for plumbers in Louisiana is $63,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Residential / Journeyman / Master Plumber license, overseen by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA). Work as a plumber's apprentice and accumulate about 5 years (8,000 hours) of experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Louisiana?

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

Which Louisiana metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $74,240, followed by Lake Charles ($67,990), New Orleans ($62,450). 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 Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Delgado Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Louisiana?

Louisiana projects plumbers employment to change +5.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 900 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.