How To Become A Journeyman Plumber: What It Is and Career Path

What is a journeyman plumber and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A journeyman plumber has completed an apprenticeship program and obtained a state-issued license to work independently. They install, maintain, and repair plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. A journeyman plumber reads blueprints and building codes, selects materials, and uses tools to install pipes, fixtures, and water heaters. They also troubleshoot problems and ensure systems comply with safety standards. Journeyman plumbers require strength, dexterity, and attention to detail.

ScoreJourneyman PlumberUS Average

Salary

4.3

Avg. Salary $54,678

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.03%

Asian 1.85%

Black or African American 8.88%

Hispanic or Latino 18.48%

Unknown 4.21%

White 65.55%

Gender

female 2.90%

male 97.10%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a journeyman plumber?

Pros

Opportunity for advancement to master plumber or contractor
Job satisfaction from problem-solving and helping customers
Opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship
Chance to work with new technology and equipment
Ongoing training and education opportunities

Cons

Work can be dirty, unpleasant, and involve exposure to hazardous materials
Limited job flexibility due to the need to be physically present at job sites
Potential for irregular income due to seasonal work and fluctuating demand
Competition from unlicensed plumbers who offer cheaper services
Difficulty in finding qualified apprentices or employees

Key steps to become a journeyman plumber

Explore journeyman plumber education requirements

Most common journeyman plumber degrees

High School Diploma

48.0 %

Associate

20.0 %

Bachelor's

14.1 %

Start to develop specific journeyman plumber skills

Skills	Percentages
Plumbing	20.48%
Hand Tools	18.81%
Work Ethic	12.30%
Drainage Systems	5.59%
Customer Service	4.56%

Complete relevant journeyman plumber training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New journeyman plumbers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a journeyman plumber based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real journeyman plumber resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed journeyman plumber usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed journeyman plumber in most of states. 33 states require journeyman plumbers to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	-	-	Certified Master Plumber
Maryland	Specific course required	State exam required	PLUMBER
Arkansas	-	State exam required	Journeyman Plumber
Colorado	-	State exam required	Journeyman Plumber
Connecticut	-	State exam required	Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson

Gain additional journeyman plumber certifications

Journeyman plumber certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific journeyman plumber certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for journeyman plumbers include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research journeyman plumber duties and responsibilities

Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Operate equipment such as cutting torches, threading machines, grinder, soldering and brazing.
Install and join copper, PVC, black iron and cast iron pipe and fittings below grind and above grind.
Work on sanitary sewer, rain leaders, and condensate lines using cast iron, PVC, and copper pipe.

Prepare your journeyman plumber resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your journeyman plumber resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a journeyman plumber resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable journeyman plumber resume templates

Build a professional journeyman plumber resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your journeyman plumber resume.