A master plumber, or plumbing contractor, is a professional tradesperson at the highest level in plumbing. They're journey-level plumbers who pass their state-level exam after working for a set amount of time. Like regular plumbers, master plumbers install and maintain pipes.
A master plumber is the highest level of expertise in plumbing. They've advanced from the rank of a journeyman after rigorous training and practical experience. These experts excel in installing, repairing, and maintaining intricate water systems.
Master Plumber
This plumber position is the highest level you can attain in a plumbing career. At this level, you can perform your own plumbing course business in most states, pull permits to finalize projects, and hire plumbers to aid your work.
A master plumber is a person who has earned the highest professional level of plumbing. To become a master plumber, you must complete an apprenticeship , become a licensed journey-level and earn a license to be a master plumber. Master plumbers can choose to specialize in one area of plumbing.
Plumbers who are experienced in commercial plumbing and industrial piping tend to make the highest salaries. In addition, plumbers with expertise in underground pipe installation, backflow prevention, and water line installation can command higher wages than those who focus on residential projects.
None of them are easy. Many of those who take them fail the exams on their first attempt. Some states require a long waiting period, often months, before the test can be taken again if it is failed. This makes it all the more crucial to be prepared to pass your plumbing exam on the first attempt.
Our Plumbing Service Tech - Residential Plumber earns top pay of up to $200,000 per year, depending on work experience. The typical work schedule for this position is Monday-Friday with some weekends…
You must spend four years as a plumbing apprentice to become a journeyman, earning an average of $81,000 annually. It takes two additional years of training to become a master plumber and command an average of $102,350 annually.
Charlie Mullins, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, made a fortune by building a business, which he originally started in his basement, worth £140m which he sold in 2021, as per ExpressUK. He has been enjoying life since selling the company.
With the right combination of business savvy, financial planning, and long-term strategy, plumbers have positioned themselves as the next class of millionaires.
Plumbers can expect to earn anywhere from $29,500 on the low end to $100,000 on the high end.
Journeyman plumber. You must show proof of up to four years (6,800 hours) of experience. Master plumber. You must show proof of five years (60 months or 9,780 hours) of experience.
Master plumber is the highest professional level of plumbing. Master plumbers work their way up from apprentice to journeyman to master.
As a master plumber, you will be serving in more leadership capacities, often supervising journeyman plumbers and apprentices. Master plumbers are also responsible for creating plumbing schematics, plan water systems and work with officials from the code and permit offices.
On average, many construction managers, electricians, and welders earn more than $100,000 per year. For the trades skills, there is no necessity for two years or less of advanced education. You can place yourself on the path to earning over six figures.
The top five careers for millionaires include engineer, accountant, teacher, management and attorney. 79% of millionaires did not receive any inheritance at all from their parents or other family members.
Electricians consistently rank as having one of the hardest trades to master. The electrical profession involves understanding complex electrical systems, staying up-to-date with ever-changing regulations, and working with potentially dangerous voltages.
After adjusting for the cost of living, Illinois ($97,000), Montana ($81,776), Alaska ($80,554), Oregon ($77,588), and Minnesota ($77,157) are the top five states with the highest median annual wages for plumbers.
Is There a Plumber Shortage? A simple answer: Yes. Putting it into context: We've covered how skilled trades have been in high demand, driven in large part by labor shortages across the industry (job openings outpacing job seekers).
Job Security
Because plumbing is essential, plumbers are rarely out of work. People will always need their services, whether for emergencies, upgrades, or new installations. This makes plumbing one of the more stable career options, especially during uncertain economic times.
One of the hardest parts of the plumbing business is providing customers with accurate estimates. This is important because it builds trust and makes you stand out from the crowd.
How Much Does the Master Plumber's Licensure Exam Cost? The exam fee varies from state to state but you can expect to pay about $70-$90 altogether. Many states also require an application fee of between $20-$35 in addition to the exam fee.
Most of the really tough work on a job comes at the planning stage when you need to figure out how to approach the project. Math is essential for anyone considering getting into the plumbing trade. Plumbers rely on geometry and algebra on the worksite.