Plumber Career Guide in Kansas
Explore plumber salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Kansas.
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How to Become a Plumber in Kansas
Plumbers in Kansas install and maintain water supply, drainage, waste, venting, fixtures, and related piping systems. The statewide median wage is approximately $62,820 per year, which is about $150 lower than the national median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Most plumbers in Kansas complete a four- to five-year registered apprenticeship sponsored by United Association (UA) local unions, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), PHCC chapters, community colleges, or licensed plumbing contractors. Most Kansas plumbers learn through a registered apprenticeship or supervised employment combining practical plumbing work with classroom instruction. The experience required for a Journeyman or Master Plumber license is established by the applicable city or county.
Training combines approximately 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job experience with classroom instruction covering the International Plumbing Code (IPC), locally adopted plumbing codes, water distribution systems, sanitary drainage, venting, gas piping, blueprint reading, hydronic systems, medical gas piping, backflow prevention, pipe installation, and OSHA safety standards.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Plumber Salary in Kansas
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Kansas median wage for plumber workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,970, the median wage in Kansas is approximately $150 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Plumbers in Kansas
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONPlumber Training Requirements in Kansas
Complete a registered plumbing apprenticeship or another supervised training pathway accepted by the applicable local licensing authority. Training normally covers water distribution, drainage and venting, fixtures, plumbing codes, mathematics, safety, and blueprint reading.
Before beginning work or applying for an examination, contact the city or county where the work will be performed to confirm apprentice registration, experience, examination, contractor licensing, reciprocity, and permit requirements.
International Plumbing Code & Local Codes
Students study the International Plumbing Code, locally adopted plumbing regulations, water distribution systems, sanitary drainage, venting, fixture installation, inspections, and code-compliant plumbing practices.
Water Supply & Drainage Systems
Training covers potable-water piping, sanitary drainage, vent systems, storm drainage, water heaters, pumps, pressure regulation, sewage systems, and plumbing troubleshooting.
Commercial & Industrial Plumbing
Programs emphasize commercial plumbing installations, industrial process piping, hydronic systems, gas piping, medical gas systems, mechanical rooms, and backflow prevention.
Pipe Installation & Blueprint Reading
Apprentices learn plumbing layout, blueprint interpretation, copper soldering, brazing, threaded piping, cast iron installation, plastic piping systems, valves, supports, and plumbing fixture installation.
Safety & OSHA Practices
Training covers trench safety, confined-space awareness, fall protection, lockout/tagout procedures, personal protective equipment, and safe plumbing installation practices.
Plumber Training Providers in Kansas
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | View Program |
| Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) | Wichita | View Program |
| Washburn Institute of Technology | Topeka | View Program |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson | View Program |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESPlumber Apprenticeship Programs in Kansas
Kansas Registered Apprenticeship
Organization: Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship
Plumber Licensing Requirements in Kansas
Kansas does not issue a single statewide Journeyman or Master Plumber license. Instead, plumber licensing is administered primarily by local cities and counties. Most municipalities require plumbers to obtain local Journeyman or Master Plumber licenses before performing regulated plumbing work.
Businesses performing plumbing contracting work must comply with local licensing requirements and applicable Kansas business registration laws. Apprentice plumbers typically work under the supervision of locally licensed Journeyman or Master Plumbers while completing approved training and work experience.
Because licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, plumbers should verify examination, experience, permit, and renewal requirements with the local authority having jurisdiction before performing plumbing work.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPlumber Job Outlook in Kansas
Kansas continues to provide stable employment opportunities for plumbers because of commercial construction, aviation manufacturing, healthcare expansion, agriculture, food processing, logistics, utilities, residential development, and public infrastructure investment.
Wichita remains the state's largest plumbing employment market because of its aviation and manufacturing industries. Kansas City, Overland Park, Topeka, Lawrence, and Manhattan also support strong demand for plumbers working in hospitals, universities, manufacturing facilities, commercial developments, utilities, and residential construction.
Continued investment in industrial facilities, healthcare infrastructure, and housing development supports long-term employment opportunities for plumbers throughout Kansas.
Kansas projects employment for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters to grow by approximately 4% from 2022 to 2032, with about 390 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the plumber salary in Kansas?
The statewide median wage for plumbers in Kansas is approximately $62,820 per year, or $30.20 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Kansas require plumber licensing?
Kansas does not use one uniform statewide licensing rule for all plumber work. Local requirements may apply, and applicants should verify the rules in the city or county where they plan to work.
How long does it take to become a plumber in Kansas?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 4–5 Years Apprenticeship, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are plumbers in demand in Kansas?
Kansas projects plumber employment to grow by approximately 4% from 2022 to 2032, with about 390 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Kansas Wages for Plumber (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Kansas Plumber Wages
- Kansas Plumber Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Kansas Plumber Employment Trends
- Applicable Kansas City or County Licensing Authority — Licensing authority. Applicable Kansas City or County Licensing Authority