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

Skilled trades

Maryland employs 11,420 plumbers, with a statewide median of $65,400 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Maryland (May 2025)

Maryland median pay: $65,400 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,630
Experienced (75th percentile): $94,890
Top earners (90th percentile): $108,420
Employed in Maryland: 11,420
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Washington DC metro: $71,860 (9,420 employed)
Baltimore: $63,200 (5,220 employed)
Salisbury: $61,940 (330 employed)
Hagerstown: $55,130 (250 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland

Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,400 median is worth closer to $62,286 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Maryland (2024–2034)

Maryland is projected to grow plumbers employment +6.2%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maryland License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber License — regulated by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR).

Register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Maryland State Board of Plumbing and complete at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice, accumulating a minimum 7,500 hours of OJT under a licensed Master Plumber, plus 32 hours of backflow prevention device testing training.
Apply for the Journeyman Plumber exam through the Board. Pass the written exam on Maryland plumbing code with a score of 75% or higher.
Apply to the Maryland State Board of Plumbing for your Journeyman Plumber license. Renew biennially. Insurance requirement: $300,000 GL / $100,000 property damage. UA Local 5 (DC/Maryland Metro) and UA Local 486 (Baltimore) are the major apprenticeship pipelines.

Official requirements: Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) →

Training in Maryland

UA Local 5 serves the DC Metro Maryland suburbs and is one of the most active UA locals in the Mid-Atlantic region. WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) is a major employer of licensed plumbers for the Montgomery and Prince George's County water/sewer system. Baltimore City and County's aging infrastructure create consistent plumber demand for service and replacement work.

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 Maryland?

The median wage for plumbers in Maryland is $65,400 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,630, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $108,420. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber License, overseen by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR). Register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Maryland State Board of Plumbing and complete at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice, accumulating a minimum 7,500 hours of OJT under a licensed Master Plumber, plus 32 hours of backflow prevention device testing training.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Maryland?

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

Which Maryland metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Maryland metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $71,860, followed by Baltimore ($63,200), Salisbury ($61,940). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Plumber a growing career in Maryland?

Maryland projects plumbers employment to change +6.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,110 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), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) (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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.