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

Skilled trades

New York employs 23,210 plumbers, with a statewide median of $77,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New York licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in New York (May 2025)

New York median pay: $77,490 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,130
Experienced (75th percentile): $101,230
Top earners (90th percentile): $130,420
Employed in New York: 23,210
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

New York City metro: $78,610 (21,040 employed)
Albany: $77,460 (1,470 employed)
Rochester: $73,580 (1,460 employed)
Buffalo: $72,230 (1,430 employed)
Syracuse: $67,040 (840 employed)
Hudson Valley: $64,990 (780 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New York

Prices in New York run about 8% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,490 median is worth closer to $71,816 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New York (2024–2034)

New York is projected to grow plumbers employment +3.8%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 3,560 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New York License and Certification Requirements

Local journeyman/master licenses; NYC Master Plumber for NYC contracting — regulated by the Local licensing boards — NYC Department of Buildings in the city.

Like electrical, New York plumbing licenses are local. NYC's Master Plumber requires 7 years of experience (2+ as a journeyman in NYC) plus exams; other cities and counties set their own rules.
UA union apprenticeships (Plumbers Local 1 in NYC, Local 22 Buffalo, Local 13 Rochester) provide paid training with strong wage scales.
Document every hour under a licensed master from day one — the experience-verification paperwork is what trips people up years later.

Official requirements: Local licensing boards — NYC Department of Buildings in the city →

Training in New York

NYC plumbers earn top-of-nation wages, and the city's aging building stock guarantees work. Upstate licensing is lighter and the union locals in Buffalo and Rochester offer respected, lower-barrier apprenticeships.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New York include:

Apex Technical School — Certificate
Berk Trade and Business School — Certificate
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi — Certificate / 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 New York?

The median wage for plumbers in New York is $77,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $130,420. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Local journeyman/master licenses; NYC Master Plumber for NYC contracting, overseen by the Local licensing boards — NYC Department of Buildings in the city. Like electrical, New York plumbing licenses are local. NYC's Master Plumber requires 7 years of experience (2+ as a journeyman in NYC) plus exams; other cities and counties set their own rules.

Is being a Plumber a good career in New York?

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

Which New York metros pay plumbers the most?

Among New York metro areas, New York City metro leads at $78,610, followed by Albany ($77,460), Rochester ($73,580). 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 York?

Real New York options include Apex Technical School, Berk Trade and Business School, SUNY College of Technology at Delhi. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in New York?

New York projects plumbers employment to change +3.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,560 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 York statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Local licensing boards — NYC Department of Buildings in the city (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 York wages · New York 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.