Plumber in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Missouri employs 8,310 plumbers, with a statewide median of $66,790 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Plumbers Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $66,790 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $44,780
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $100,240
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $117,180
- Employed in Missouri
- 8,310
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,970 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Missouri markets:
- St. Louis metro
- $77,000 (4,060 employed)
- Kansas City metro
- $76,150 (3,740 employed)
- Joplin
- $64,370 (180 employed)
- Springfield
- $61,410 (660 employed)
- Columbia
- $58,010 (310 employed)
- Jefferson City
- $49,560 (290 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,790 median stretches to roughly $73,557 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to grow plumbers employment +1.8%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 640 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
Local journeyman/master licenses (KC, St. Louis, Springfield, and others) — regulated by the Local municipalities (no MO state license).
- Missouri plumber licensing is local — Kansas City, St. Louis city and county, Springfield, Columbia, and other jurisdictions license journeymen and masters with their own exams.
- UA apprenticeships (Local 562 St. Louis, Local 8 Kansas City) provide paid 5-year training with strong wages and benefits.
- Document supervised hours from day one so your experience transfers to whichever city's exam you target.
Official requirements: Local municipalities (no MO state license) →
Training in Missouri
St. Louis Local 562 and KC Local 8 are well-regarded apprenticeship programs. Missouri's affordable housing markets keep residential plumbing busy; industrial work along the rivers adds higher-paying niches.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:
- Ranken Technical College — Certificate
- St Charles Community College — Certificate
- Three Rivers 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 Missouri?
The median wage for plumbers in Missouri is $66,790 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,780, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $117,180. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Missouri?
Local journeyman/master licenses (KC, St. Louis, Springfield, and others), overseen by the Local municipalities (no MO state license). Missouri plumber licensing is local — Kansas City, St. Louis city and county, Springfield, Columbia, and other jurisdictions license journeymen and masters with their own exams.
Is being a Plumber a good career in Missouri?
Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.
Which Missouri metros pay plumbers the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, St. Louis metro leads at $77,000, followed by Kansas City metro ($76,150), Joplin ($64,370). 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 Missouri?
Real Missouri options include Ranken Technical College, St Charles Community College, Three Rivers College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Plumber a growing career in Missouri?
Missouri projects plumbers employment to change +1.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 640 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Local municipalities (no MO state license) (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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.