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

Skilled trades

Maine employs 2,710 plumbers, with a statewide median of $64,000 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maine licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Maine (May 2025)

Maine median pay: $64,000 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,720
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,760
Employed in Maine: 2,710
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Portland: $64,500 (1,740 employed)
Lewiston: $62,140 (190 employed)
Bangor: $60,140 (220 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maine

Prices in Maine run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,000 median stretches to roughly $65,979 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Maine (2024–2034)

Maine is projected to grow plumbers employment +0.6%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maine License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Maine OPOR — Plumbers' Examining Board.

Build experience as a licensed trainee (about 2 years / 4,000 hours) or journeyman-in-training (2,000 hours).
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to the Maine Plumbers' Examining Board (OPOR); add a master license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Maine OPOR — Plumbers' Examining Board →

Training in Maine

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maine include:

Central Maine Community College — Certificate / Associate
Eastern Maine Community College — Certificate
Kennebec Valley Community College — Certificate
Northern Maine Community College — Certificate / Associate

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 Maine?

The median wage for plumbers in Maine is $64,000 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,760. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Maine OPOR — Plumbers' Examining Board. Build experience as a licensed trainee (about 2 years / 4,000 hours) or journeyman-in-training (2,000 hours).

Is being a Plumber a good career in Maine?

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

Which Maine metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Maine metro areas, Portland leads at $64,500, followed by Lewiston ($62,140), Bangor ($60,140). 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 Maine?

Real Maine options include Central Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College, Kennebec Valley Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Maine?

Maine projects plumbers employment to change +0.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 220 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), Maine statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Maine OPOR — Plumbers' Examining Board (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 Maine wages · Maine 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.