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

Skilled trades

Mississippi employs 3,360 plumbers, with a statewide median of $55,480 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $55,480 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $35,830
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,040
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,470
Employed in Mississippi: 3,360
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Gulfport: $63,040 (1,240 employed)
Memphis: $58,690 (1,920 employed)
Jackson: $57,160 (550 employed)
Hattiesburg: $49,940 (80 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $55,480 median stretches to roughly $63,770 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow plumbers employment +12.0%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 330 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Local journeyman/master license; state Plumbing Contractor license — regulated by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions.

Work as an apprentice plumber and build supervised experience.
Obtain a journeyman/master license through your local jurisdiction.
For larger projects, the business needs a plumbing contractor license through the State Board of Contractors.

Official requirements: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions →

Training in Mississippi

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Mississippi handles individual plumbing licensing locally with state contractor licensing for bigger jobs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Hinds Community College — Certificate / Associate
Jones County Junior College — Certificate / Associate
Southwest Mississippi Community College — 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 Mississippi?

The median wage for plumbers in Mississippi is $55,480 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,830, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,470. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Local journeyman/master license; state Plumbing Contractor license, overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions. Work as an apprentice plumber and build supervised experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Mississippi?

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

Which Mississippi metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Gulfport leads at $63,040, followed by Memphis ($58,690), Jackson ($57,160). 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 Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Hinds Community College, Jones County Junior College, Southwest Mississippi Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Mississippi?

Mississippi projects plumbers employment to change +12.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 330 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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (state) + local jurisdictions (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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.