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

Skilled trades

Ohio employs 16,390 plumbers, with a statewide median of $63,330 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Ohio licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Ohio (May 2025)

Ohio median pay: $63,330 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $45,470
Experienced (75th percentile): $84,260
Top earners (90th percentile): $101,410
Employed in Ohio: 16,390
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Toledo: $66,920 (1,100 employed)
Cincinnati: $65,160 (3,640 employed)
Akron: $63,450 (1,070 employed)
Columbus: $63,260 (3,060 employed)
Cleveland: $63,020 (3,040 employed)
Dayton: $62,940 (1,130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Ohio

Prices in Ohio run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,330 median stretches to roughly $68,244 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Ohio (2024–2034)

Ohio is projected to grow plumbers employment +3.1%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,380 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Ohio License and Certification Requirements

City journeyman licenses where required; OCILB Plumbing Contractor for commercial work — regulated by the Local journeyman licensing; OCILB for commercial contractors.

Ohio plumbers are licensed locally — major cities require journeyman credentials with documented apprenticeship hours; townships often require none.
UA apprenticeships (Local 55 Cleveland, Local 392 Cincinnati, Local 189 Columbus) provide the strongest paid training route.
Commercial contracting statewide runs through the OCILB Plumbing Contractor license (5 years experience plus exam).

Official requirements: Local journeyman licensing; OCILB for commercial contractors →

Training in Ohio

Ohio's affordable housing stock and industrial base keep plumbing demand broad — residential service, new construction, and industrial work are all active. Document every supervised hour from day one.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Ohio include:

Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center — Certificate
Columbus State Community College — Certificate / Associate
Cuyahoga Community College District — Certificate / Associate
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools — 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 Ohio?

The median wage for plumbers in Ohio is $63,330 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,470, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $101,410. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

City journeyman licenses where required; OCILB Plumbing Contractor for commercial work, overseen by the Local journeyman licensing; OCILB for commercial contractors. Ohio plumbers are licensed locally — major cities require journeyman credentials with documented apprenticeship hours; townships often require none.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Ohio?

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

Which Ohio metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Ohio metro areas, Toledo leads at $66,920, followed by Cincinnati ($65,160), Akron ($63,450). 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 Ohio?

Real Ohio options include Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College District. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Ohio?

Ohio projects plumbers employment to change +3.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,380 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), Ohio statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Local journeyman licensing; OCILB for commercial 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 Ohio wages · Ohio 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.