You can choose to work for a major company or receive your license to run your own business.
Pennsylvania does not have state-determined regulations when it comes to plumbing licenses.
They are rather administered through county or city offices.
This means that aspiring plumbers must contact their local building department and find out what they need to do so as to satisfy licensing and registration.
Plumbing requirements and procedures are largely the same throughout Pennsylvania’s counties and cities, and the only exception is the city of Susquehanna, in terms of fees.
Page Navigation
- Pennsylvania Plumbing License Reciprocity
- Pennsylvania Master Plumbing License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
- Plumbing Journeyman Exam
- Pennsylvania Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
- Plumbing Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
- Insurance for Plumbers in Pennsylvania
- Salary
- Plumber Schools by City
Pennsylvania Plumbing License Reciprocity
Pennsylvania has no state-wide reciprocity agreements, but the eligibility for reciprocity is determined by individual departments.
This means that Allentown, for example, has a reciprocity agreement with several Pennsylvanian municipalities.
Pennsylvania Master Plumbing License Requirements
In Pennsylvania, master plumbers are individuals who are skilled enough to be responsible for the installation, repair, and assessment of all machinery and appliances related to plumbing.
The requirements for master plumber licensure in Pennsylvania are the following:
- Worked for at least two years as a journeyman plumber
- Passed the required exam
- Provide proof of experience
- Completed a state-approved apprenticeship program
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be at least 21 years of age
Fees for master plumbers include:
- License Fee: $375
- Exam Fee: $250 per exam
You must register for the exam 45 days in advance, pay all required fees, and submit proof of your work experience.
Pennsylvania Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
Both Journeymen and Master plumbers in Pennsylvania perform all the same tasks, but Journeyman plumbers must do them so under the supervision of a master plumber.
A Journeyman Plumber needs to complete four years of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related coursework in a classroom.
If you want to become a journeyman plumber, you need to meet the criteria as follows:
- Registered as an apprentice plumber for at least four years
- Completed a state-approved apprenticeship program
- Passed the required exam
- Proof of experience through tax records
- Legally be able to work in the United States
- Be physically able to complete the work
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be at least 18 years of age
The fees associated with journeyman plumbing licensure are:
- Application fee: $25
- License fee: $100
It is good to know that there are jurisdictions in Pennsylvania that may request a copy of your Pennsylvania driver’s license, proof of “good moral character,” US citizenship, and an entrance exam, as well.
Each district has set license renewal requirements for a Pennsylvania plumbing license so it is a wise decision to contact the local office for details about fees and further details if you already possess the license.
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
Plumbing journeyman exams are provided by the International Code Council and taken within twelve months of applying for licensure.
Testing fees differ depending on the individual jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the more advanced the license you are seeking, the higher the fees are.
For example, in Allentown, PA, an applicant must submit a Journeyman Plumber License Test Application or a Master Plumber License Test Application, which can be found in Applications & Forms on the city’s official website, and an application fee to the Plumbers’ Licensing Board, through the Building Office at City Hall, 435 Hamilton Street, 4th Floor, Allentown.
It is necessary that the applicant is approved by the Board prior to taking the exam, which consists of two parts, – a written and design portion.
You need to score 70% or better on each part to pass the exam.
Individuals who have submitted applications will be notified via mail of the next testing date and once they pass the exam, the applicant will have to pay for and receive their license.
Pennsylvania Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
A plumbing apprentice is an individual who learns to perform all the duties of a journeyman and he/she works under the supervision of a journeyman or a master plumber.
It is very important to note that apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania must be state-approved so that you can get a license once you finish it.
Aspiring plumbers in Pennsylvania can find state-approved apprenticeships through several job finding websites:
Eligible applicants for an apprenticeship are only those who have a high school diploma or GED and are at least 18 years of age.
The fee that has to be paid is the application fee of $25 and what you need to do is to apply for enrollment in available apprenticeship through a local contracting company.
You will also need to pass an interview for the apprenticeship and you may be asked to pass the drug test.
It is our suggestion that you arrive early on the day of the interview, wear professional clothes, and talk about your desire to be a plumber.
As an apprentice, you will need would 2,000 hours of on-the-job paid instruction and 224 hours of classroom instruction.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania boasts various trade and vocational schools offering courses, degrees, and certificates in the field of plumbing and we offer you a few of those options:
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Location: Williamsport, PA
Tuition: Interested parties must request more information
Contact: (570) 320-2400 ext. 7336
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Tuition: Interested parties must request more information
Contact: (215) 728-4700
Community College of Allegheny County, South Campus
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Tuition: Interested parties must request more information
Contact: (412) 469-1100
PennCo Tech, Bristol Campus
Location: Bristol, PA
Tuition: $19,425
Contact: (215) 486-1631
Insurance for Plumbers in Pennsylvania
Plumbers in Pennsylvania need insurance which can run between $671 to $1740 for annual premiums.
What type of coverage you will need will depend on the individual jurisdiction, licensing level, and type of plumbing work you plan to do.
Salary
The average hourly pay for a licensed plumber in Pennsylvania ranges from $16.76 to $24.26 an hour, depending on their education, skills, and licenses.
This wage can vary based on the location of your works, as well which can be noticed in the table below.
Plumbers are currently in high demand with 16% expected growth in the coming years.
The average Plumber salary in Pennsylvania is $57,366.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Pennsylvania
City Name Salary Philadelphia $61,746 Pittsburgh $56,619 Allentown $57,309 Erie $53,095 Upper Darby $61,746 Reading $57,016 Scranton $53,055 Bethlehem $57,309 Merion Station $61,746 Bensalem $64,915 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 720 $69,130 $33.23 $101,630 $43,770 Altoona, PA 90 $56,340 $27.09 $89,060 $36,160 Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA 100 $64,880 $31.19 $101,890 $39,390 Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA 100 $55,800 $26.83 $72,630 $38,150 East Stroudsburg, PA 70 $57,940 $27.86 $78,560 $37,720 Erie, PA 310 $64,440 $30.98 $95,640 $37,800 Gettysburg, PA 70 $57,620 $27.7 $72,280 $39,320 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 780 $69,670 $33.49 $97,530 $44,420 Johnstown, PA 110 $55,960 $26.91 $85,670 $37,440 Lancaster, PA 680 $62,660 $30.13 $96,230 $38,840 Lebanon, PA 120 $57,970 $27.87 $93,610 $39,120 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 7,020 $77,330 $37.18 $117,560 $44,550 Pittsburgh, PA 2,880 $70,600 $33.94 $98,280 $46,270 Reading, PA 360 $66,080 $31.77 $100,230 $42,620 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA 380 $59,500 $28.61 $79,440 $39,040 State College, PA 90 $66,510 $31.98 $134,790 $38,810 Williamsport, PA 110 $57,610 $27.7 $75,970 $40,530 York-Hanover, PA 440 $64,460 $30.99 $94,020 $41,200
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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