Plumber Career Guide in Nevada
Explore plumber salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Nevada.
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How to Become a Plumber in Nevada
Plumbers in Nevada install and maintain water supply, drainage, waste, venting, fixtures, and related plumbing systems. The statewide median wage is approximately $60,120 per year, which is about $2,850 lower than the national median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Most Nevada plumbers develop journey-level skills through an apprenticeship or supervised employment. Requirements for an individual Journeyman Plumber credential depend on the applicable city or county, while a state plumbing contractor qualifier generally needs substantial journey-level or supervisory experience.
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom and shop instruction covering the Uniform Plumbing Code, water-distribution systems, sanitary drainage, venting, gas piping, blueprint reading, pipe installation, medical gas systems, backflow prevention, hydronic systems, industrial piping, and workplace safety.
UA Local 525 in Southern Nevada operates a five-year plumbing and pipe-trades apprenticeship. Northern Nevada programs, including UA Local 350 training pathways, also provide structured workplace training and technical instruction.
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 Nevada
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Nevada 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 Nevada is approximately $2,850 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Plumbers in Nevada
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 Nevada
Complete a plumbing apprenticeship or obtain documented supervised experience accepted by the city or county where work will be performed. Verify local Journeyman Plumber examination, registration, renewal, and permit requirements before working independently.
A qualifying individual for a Nevada plumbing contractor license generally must document at least four full years of experience at the journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor level within the 15 years preceding the application and satisfy the applicable state examination and contractor requirements.
Uniform Plumbing Code & Local Regulations
Apprentices study the Uniform Plumbing Code, locally adopted amendments, permit requirements, inspections, fixture standards, water distribution, sanitary drainage, venting, and code-compliant plumbing practices.
Water Supply & Drainage Systems
Training covers potable-water piping, sanitary drainage, vent systems, water heaters, pumps, pressure regulation, sewage systems, storm drainage, and plumbing-system troubleshooting.
Pipe Installation & Blueprint Reading
Students learn blueprint interpretation, plumbing layout, pipe sizing, copper soldering and brazing, threaded piping, cast-iron installation, plastic piping, valves, supports, hangers, and fixture connections.
Commercial & Industrial Plumbing
Advanced training includes commercial plumbing, resort and casino systems, mechanical-room piping, process piping, hydronic systems, compressed air, medical gas installations, and backflow prevention.
Plumbing Safety & Heat-Stress Prevention
Programs emphasize trench safety, confined-space procedures, lockout/tagout, fall protection, personal protective equipment, material handling, heat-stress prevention, and safe use of plumbing tools and machinery.
Plumber Training Providers in Nevada
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas | View Program |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno | View Program |
| Great Basin College | Elko | View Program |
| Western Nevada College | Carson City | View Program |
| Nevada State University | Henderson | 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 Nevada
PHCC Nevada Plumbing Apprenticeship
Organization: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Nevada
ABC Nevada Plumbing Apprenticeship
Organization: Associated Builders and Contractors Nevada
Nevada Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Organization: Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner
Plumber Licensing Requirements in Nevada
Nevada does not issue one statewide Journeyman Plumber License that applies uniformly to every individual plumbing worker. Individual plumber certification, journeyman cards, permits, and competency requirements are generally administered by local cities and counties.
Nevada regulates businesses that contract to perform plumbing work through the Nevada State Contractors Board. The principal state classifications are C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contracting and C-1d Plumbing. Individual Journeyman Plumber cards, trade examinations, registrations, and permits may be administered by local jurisdictions.
Plumbing contractors are regulated at the state level by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Businesses offering plumbing and heating contracting services generally need a C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contracting License or an appropriate C-1 subclassification.
Apprentices and journey-level plumbers normally work under licensed plumbing contractors while complying with the certification and permit requirements of the local jurisdiction where the work is performed.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPlumber Job Outlook in Nevada
Nevada provides strong employment opportunities for plumbers because of population growth, resort construction, hospitality facilities, data centers, healthcare expansion, residential development, mining, manufacturing, utilities, and public infrastructure projects.
Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas form the state’s largest plumbing employment market. Casinos, resorts, convention centers, hospitals, apartment developments, restaurants, entertainment venues, and commercial projects require plumbers for installation, service, repair, and facility maintenance.
Reno and Sparks provide additional opportunities connected to data centers, battery manufacturing, distribution centers, healthcare facilities, technology companies, residential construction, and industrial development.
Nevada projects employment for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters to grow by approximately 9% from 2022 to 2032, with about 520 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 Nevada?
The statewide median wage for plumbers in Nevada is approximately $60,120 per year, or $28.90 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Nevada require plumber licensing?
Licensing requirements for plumber workers in Nevada vary by work scope, license category, and jurisdiction. Applicants should verify current requirements with Nevada State Contractors Board before beginning work or applying for an examination.
How long does it take to become a plumber in Nevada?
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 Nevada?
Nevada projects plumber employment to grow by approximately 9% from 2022 to 2032, with about 520 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
- Nevada Wages for Plumber (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Nevada Plumber Wages
- Nevada Plumber Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Nevada Plumber Employment Trends
- Nevada State Contractors Board — Licensing authority. Nevada State Contractors Board