Plumber Career Guide in North Carolina
Explore plumber salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in North Carolina.
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How to Become a Plumber in North Carolina
Plumbers in North Carolina install and service water supply, drainage, gas, and related piping systems in homes, businesses, institutions, and industrial facilities. The statewide median wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $50,990 per year, and employment is projected to grow by 10% from 2022 to 2032.
Most North Carolina plumbers begin through an apprenticeship or supervised employment. An applicant for a Plumbing Contractor license generally needs two years, or 4,000 hours, of qualifying on-site experience. Up to one-half of that requirement may be satisfied through directly related academic or technical training.
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 North Carolina
The salary figure shown on this page represents the North Carolina 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 North Carolina is approximately $11,980 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Plumbers in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
North Carolina plumbing training commonly combines paid on-the-job experience with instruction in plumbing codes, safety, mathematics, blueprint reading, water distribution, drainage, fuel piping, and installation practices.
Applicants for a Plumbing Contractor Class I or Class II examination generally must document two years, or 4,000 hours, of full-time on-site experience involving the installation, maintenance, service, or repair of plumbing systems.
Up to 2,000 hours of the contractor experience requirement may be credited through qualifying academic or technical education. Technician licenses have separate experience requirements, so applicants should verify the correct classification with the Board.
Apprenticeship Training
Most North Carolina plumbers receive training through apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job experience.
Technical Education
Students learn plumbing systems, construction mathematics, blueprint reading, safety regulations, and North Carolina plumbing codes.
Hands-On Experience
Apprentices develop practical skills by installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing systems under experienced supervision.
Professional Advancement
Experienced plumbers may pursue contractor licensing and business ownership opportunities after meeting state requirements.
Plumber Training Providers in North Carolina
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh | View Program |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | View Program |
| Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown | View Program |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham | 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 North Carolina
Plumber Licensing Requirements in North Carolina
North Carolina regulates plumbing contractors through the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Individuals typically begin through apprenticeship and supervised work experience before advancing to licensed contractor status.
North Carolina licenses plumbing contractors and certain plumbing technicians through the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Employees may acquire supervised experience without holding a contractor license, but independently contracting, bidding, or assuming responsibility for regulated plumbing work requires the appropriate credential.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPlumber Job Outlook in North Carolina
North Carolina continues to experience strong demand for plumbers due to population growth, residential construction, commercial development, and infrastructure expansion. Opportunities are particularly strong in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.
North Carolina projects employment for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters to grow by approximately 10% from 2022 to 2032, with about 1,590 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 North Carolina?
The statewide median wage for plumbers in North Carolina is approximately $50,990 per year, or $24.52 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does North Carolina require plumber licensing?
Licensing requirements for plumber workers in North Carolina vary by work scope, license category, and jurisdiction. Applicants should verify current requirements with North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors before beginning work or applying for an examination.
How long does it take to become a plumber in North Carolina?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical North Carolina plumber pathway generally requires approximately 4,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and completion of any required examination.
Are plumbers in demand in North Carolina?
North Carolina projects plumber employment to grow by approximately 10% from 2022 to 2032, with about 1,590 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
- North Carolina Wages for Plumber (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. North Carolina Plumber Wages
- North Carolina Plumber Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. North Carolina Plumber Employment Trends
- North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors — Licensing authority. North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors