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

Skilled trades

Pennsylvania employs 13,620 plumbers, with a statewide median of $68,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $68,080 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,770
Experienced (75th percentile): $91,820
Top earners (90th percentile): $134,110
Employed in Pennsylvania: 13,620
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Philadelphia metro: $74,860 (7,150 employed)
Harrisburg: $73,560 (950 employed)
Pittsburgh: $70,100 (2,910 employed)
Lehigh Valley: $64,940 (730 employed)
Lancaster: $61,950 (820 employed)
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre: $61,160 (450 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $68,080 median stretches to roughly $69,754 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow plumbers employment +3.1%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,310 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

Municipal licenses where required — Philadelphia Master Plumber is the big one — regulated by the Local municipalities (no PA state license).

No statewide plumber license; Philadelphia requires a city Master Plumber license for contracting, and other municipalities set their own journeyman/master rules.
UA apprenticeships (Local 690 Philadelphia, Local 27 Pittsburgh) provide paid 5-year training with strong wages and benefits.
Home-improvement work also requires PA Attorney General HICR registration at the business level.

Official requirements: Local municipalities (no PA state license) →

Training in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh's union halls are the high-wage path; in the rest of the state, reputation and employer training carry you. PA's aging row homes and farmhouses generate endless repair and repipe work.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

Berks Career & Technology Center — Certificate
Community College of Allegheny County — Certificate
Delaware County Community College — Certificate
Douglas Education Center — 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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for plumbers in Pennsylvania is $68,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,770, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $134,110. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Municipal licenses where required — Philadelphia Master Plumber is the big one, overseen by the Local municipalities (no PA state license). No statewide plumber license; Philadelphia requires a city Master Plumber license for contracting, and other municipalities set their own journeyman/master rules.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Pennsylvania?

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

Which Pennsylvania metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $74,860, followed by Harrisburg ($73,560), Pittsburgh ($70,100). 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 Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include Berks Career & Technology Center, Community College of Allegheny County, Delaware County Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects plumbers employment to change +3.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,310 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Local municipalities (no PA 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.