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

Skilled trades

Vermont employs 980 plumbers, with a statewide median of $62,170 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Vermont licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Vermont (May 2025)

Vermont median pay: $62,170 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,800
Experienced (75th percentile): $82,240
Top earners (90th percentile): $91,940
Employed in Vermont: 980
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Burlington: $67,450 (470 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Vermont

Prices in Vermont run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,170 median stretches to roughly $63,439 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Vermont (2024–2034)

Vermont is projected to grow plumbers employment +5.4%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Vermont License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Vermont Dept. of Public Safety — Division of Fire Safety (Plumbing Licensing).

Work as an apprentice under a master plumber and build the required experience plus related instruction.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to the Division of Fire Safety; add a master plumber license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Vermont Dept. of Public Safety — Division of Fire Safety (Plumbing Licensing) →

Training in Vermont

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Vermont licenses plumbers statewide through the Division of Fire Safety.

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 Vermont?

The median wage for plumbers in Vermont is $62,170 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,800, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $91,940. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Vermont Dept. of Public Safety — Division of Fire Safety (Plumbing Licensing). Work as an apprentice under a master plumber and build the required experience plus related instruction.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Vermont?

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

Which Vermont metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Vermont metro areas, Burlington leads at $67,450. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Plumber a growing career in Vermont?

Vermont projects plumbers employment to change +5.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 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), Vermont statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Vermont Dept. of Public Safety — Division of Fire Safety (Plumbing Licensing) (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 Vermont wages · Vermont 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.