Plumber in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New Jersey employs 8,750 plumbers, with a statewide median of $78,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

New Jersey median pay: $78,240 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,720
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,830
Top earners (90th percentile): $136,710
Employed in New Jersey: 8,750
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

New York–Newark: $78,610 (21,040 employed)
Trenton–Princeton: $76,360 (280 employed)
Philadelphia: $74,860 (7,150 employed)
Allentown–Bethlehem: $64,940 (730 employed)
Atlantic City: $64,220 (530 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,240 median is worth closer to $71,912 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow plumbers employment +7.0%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 980 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Plumber (NJ licenses only Master Plumber) — regulated by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs).

Apprentice: complete a 4-year U.S. Department of Labor-registered plumbing apprenticeship program (about 8,000 hours). Apprentice and journeyman are steps in the ladder, not separately issued NJ licenses.
Journeyman: work 1 year as a journeyman plumber after finishing your apprenticeship — this year of experience is required before you can apply for the Master Plumber license.
Master Plumber: 5 years total in the trade (4 years apprenticeship + 1 year journeyman), then pass three exams: Business and Law, Master Plumbing (written), and Master Plumbing Practical.

Official requirements: New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs) →

Training in New Jersey

Find NJ plumbing apprenticeships through the UA (United Association) Local 9 in Jersey City, Local 14 in Somerville, and PHCC of New Jersey. New Jersey's dense construction, aging infrastructure in older cities (Newark, Trenton, Camden), and strong commercial market create steady work. Note that NJ's path leads to Master Plumber — there is no intermediate individual journeyman license to carry.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS — Certificate
Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences — Certificate
Ocean County Vocational-Technical School — Certificate
Passaic County 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 New Jersey?

The median wage for plumbers in New Jersey is $78,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,720, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $136,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Plumber (NJ licenses only Master Plumber), overseen by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs). Apprentice: complete a 4-year U.S. Department of Labor-registered plumbing apprenticeship program (about 8,000 hours). Apprentice and journeyman are steps in the ladder, not separately issued NJ licenses.

Is being a Plumber a good career in New Jersey?

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

Which New Jersey metros pay plumbers the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, New York–Newark leads at $78,610, followed by Trenton–Princeton ($76,360), Philadelphia ($74,860). 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 New Jersey?

Real New Jersey options include Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS, Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences, Ocean County Vocational-Technical School. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in New Jersey?

New Jersey projects plumbers employment to change +7.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 980 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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the New Jersey State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (Division of Consumer Affairs) (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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.