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

Skilled trades

Michigan employs 14,120 plumbers, with a statewide median of $80,190 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Michigan licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Michigan (May 2025)

Michigan median pay: $80,190 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,560
Experienced (75th percentile): $95,390
Top earners (90th percentile): $103,430
Employed in Michigan: 14,120
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Kalamazoo: $90,730 (870 employed)
Detroit: $86,370 (5,520 employed)
Flint: $80,510 (790 employed)
Grand Rapids: $80,440 (2,270 employed)
Saginaw: $80,440 (260 employed)
Ann Arbor: $78,210 (420 employed)
Lansing: $78,190 (650 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Michigan

Prices in Michigan run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,190 median stretches to roughly $83,358 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2024–2034)

Michigan is projected to grow plumbers employment +2.1%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,150 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Michigan License and Certification Requirements

Plumber's Apprentice → Journeyman Plumber — regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division.

Register as a Plumber's Apprentice with LARA within 30 days of starting work ($15 fee) — you must work under a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber.
Accumulate 6,000 hours of experience over at least 3 years under a licensed plumber. Then schedule the written and practical exams through LARA's third-party testing agency ($100 exam fee).
Pass both exams, pay the $40 Journeyman license application fee, and you can work independently on plumbing installations. Master Plumber requires an additional 4,000 hours (2 years) as a Journeyman plus a separate exam.

Official requirements: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division →

Training in Michigan

Find apprenticeships through PHCC Michigan, UA (United Association) Local 98 in Detroit, or UA Local 174 in Grand Rapids. Michigan's large housing stock, aging infrastructure in cities like Flint, and commercial construction in the Detroit metro keep plumbing demand consistently strong.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Michigan include:

Delta College — Certificate / Associate
Henry Ford College — Certificate / Associate
Kellogg Community College — Certificate / Associate
Macomb 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 Michigan?

The median wage for plumbers in Michigan is $80,190 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,560, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $103,430. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Plumber's Apprentice → Journeyman Plumber, overseen by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division. Register as a Plumber's Apprentice with LARA within 30 days of starting work ($15 fee) — you must work under a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Michigan?

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

Which Michigan metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Michigan metro areas, Kalamazoo leads at $90,730, followed by Detroit ($86,370), Flint ($80,510). 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 Michigan?

Real Michigan options include Delta College, Henry Ford College, Kellogg Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Michigan?

Michigan projects plumbers employment to change +2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,150 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), Michigan statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division (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 Michigan wages · Michigan 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.