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

Skilled trades

Wisconsin employs 10,210 plumbers, with a statewide median of $81,210 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)

Wisconsin median pay: $81,210 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,020
Experienced (75th percentile): $103,560
Top earners (90th percentile): $120,070
Employed in Wisconsin: 10,210
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Minneapolis: $101,630 (6,730 employed)
Appleton: $91,750 (890 employed)
Green Bay: $90,570 (730 employed)
Madison: $85,160 (1,590 employed)
Duluth: $85,060 (420 employed)
Milwaukee: $84,700 (2,760 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin

Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,210 median stretches to roughly $86,302 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)

Wisconsin is projected to grow plumbers employment +10.7%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 950 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS).

Work as an apprentice under a master plumber and complete the required experience plus instructional coursework.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to DSPS; add a Master Plumber license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS) →

Training in Wisconsin

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Wisconsin licenses plumbers at the state level through DSPS.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:

Chippewa Valley Technical College — Certificate
Fox Valley Technical College — Certificate
Gateway Technical College — Certificate
Madison Area Technical 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 Wisconsin?

The median wage for plumbers in Wisconsin is $81,210 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,020, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $120,070. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS). Work as an apprentice under a master plumber and complete the required experience plus instructional coursework.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Wisconsin?

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

Which Wisconsin metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $101,630, followed by Appleton ($91,750), Green Bay ($90,570). 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 Wisconsin?

Real Wisconsin options include Chippewa Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, Gateway Technical College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin projects plumbers employment to change +10.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 950 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS) (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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.