Plumber in North Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

North Carolina employs 14,510 plumbers, with a statewide median of $57,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in North Carolina (May 2025)

North Carolina median pay: $57,080 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,860
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,290
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,850
Employed in North Carolina: 14,510
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Raleigh: $60,540 (2,810 employed)
Durham–Chapel Hill: $60,110 (620 employed)
Asheville: $59,200 (460 employed)
Charlotte metro: $58,690 (3,840 employed)
Greensboro: $57,510 (1,110 employed)
Winston-Salem: $49,240 (860 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Carolina

Prices in North Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,080 median stretches to roughly $60,530 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Carolina (2024–2034)

North Carolina is projected to grow plumbers employment +5.6%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,390 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Carolina License and Certification Requirements

None for individuals; Plumbing Contractor (Class I/II) to contract — regulated by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

No journeyman license in North Carolina — plumbers work under licensed contractors while building experience.
Community college plumbing programs and apprenticeships (UA Local 421) provide training; document your hours.
Plumbing Contractor licensure requires 2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site experience plus the exam (Class II covers single-family residential; Class I is unrestricted).

Official requirements: NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors →

Training in North Carolina

The 4,000-hour bar to contractor licensure is among the lowest of any state we cover — a realistic 2–3 year path from helper to business owner. NC's housing growth keeps residential plumbing relentlessly busy.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Carolina include:

Cape Fear Community College — Certificate
Cleveland Community College — Certificate
Fayetteville Technical Community College — Certificate
Forsyth Technical 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 North Carolina?

The median wage for plumbers in North Carolina is $57,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,860, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,850. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None for individuals; Plumbing Contractor (Class I/II) to contract, overseen by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. No journeyman license in North Carolina — plumbers work under licensed contractors while building experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in North Carolina?

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

Which North Carolina metros pay plumbers the most?

Among North Carolina metro areas, Raleigh leads at $60,540, followed by Durham–Chapel Hill ($60,110), Asheville ($59,200). 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 North Carolina?

Real North Carolina options include Cape Fear Community College, Cleveland Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in North Carolina?

North Carolina projects plumbers employment to change +5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,390 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), North Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (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 North Carolina wages · North Carolina 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.