How Do I Become a Plumber? A Step-by-Step Career Guide

For most people, the first real step into plumbing is becoming a plumber’s helper, sometimes called a runner. This is the most common entry point because it requires no prior experience and allows you to learn the trade from the ground up. As a helper, your main job is to support a lead plumber while getting exposure to real job-site work.

Daily tasks usually include fetching tools and materials from the truck, cleaning up job sites, carrying pipe, digging trenches, and assisting with basic prep work. While it can feel like pure labor at first, this stage is where you start learning how plumbing jobs actually flow. You see how professionals diagnose problems, interact with customers, and complete installs and repairs.

Starting pay for “green” helpers typically ranges from $15 to $22 per hour, depending on location and company. Most people remain helpers anywhere from six months to two years before being invited into a formal apprenticeship, making this role the foundation of a plumbing career.

Getting hired as a plumbing helper is often easier than people expect, especially if you approach it the right way. One of the most effective methods is direct outreach. Many experienced plumbers recommend calling local small-to-mid-sized plumbing companies and asking if they’re looking for a helper. Be upfront about having no experience, but emphasize your willingness to work hard and learn.

Job boards can also be useful. Search terms like “plumber helper” or “plumbing runner” on sites such as Indeed often bring up entry-level roles. Smaller “mom and pop” shops are usually ideal because they tend to offer more hands-on training than large national chains. Residential service companies are also more likely to take on helpers and teach them on the job. Persistence and a good attitude often matter more than experience at this stage.

Becoming a plumber is a long-term, structured process, not a quick certification. Most people begin with a short entry phase as a helper, but the majority of the time investment happens during the apprenticeship years. While the helper stage can last anywhere from six months to two years, some motivated workers move beyond it much faster, especially if their employer is willing to increase responsibility early.

The core of the journey is the formal apprenticeship, which typically lasts four to five years. During this period, you work full-time while completing required classroom instruction. Most programs require roughly 10,000 hours of hands-on experience before you’re eligible to take the journeyman licensing exam.

Altogether, the realistic timeline to become a licensed journeyman plumber is about four to six years. While that may sound long, it’s important to remember that this is paid training, with steady raises, increasing skill levels, and long-term career stability built in along the way.

When deciding how to become a plumber, one of the biggest choices you’ll face is whether to go union or non-union. Both paths can lead to a successful career, but they work differently.

The union route typically involves applying through a local United Association (UA) hall. Union apprenticeships are highly structured and usually include free trade school, strong licensing support, and long-term benefits like healthcare and pensions. However, these programs can be competitive, with aptitude tests, interviews, and waitlists limiting how many applicants are accepted.

The non-union route usually starts by working for a private plumbing company that sponsors your training. Many small or mid-sized shops hire helpers with no experience and pay for required schooling while you work. Entry is often easier, but benefits and pay structure vary by employer.

Choosing between the two depends on availability, competition, and what kind of structure and benefits you want long-term.

If you choose the union route, becoming a plumber starts with a formal application through your local United Association (UA) hall. Union apprenticeships are competitive, so the process is designed to screen applicants before they’re accepted.

The first major step is a plumbing apprenticeship test. This exam focuses on basic math, reading comprehension, and mechanical reasoning. Expect questions involving fractions, decimals, percentages, unit conversions, and simple problem-solving;often without a calculator. Some locals also include basic mechanical or spatial reasoning questions.

Applicants who pass the test are typically invited to a panel interview with union representatives and contractors. The interview focuses less on plumbing knowledge and more on reliability, attitude, and long-term commitment to the trade. Drug testing is also standard.

Because spots are limited, qualified applicants may be ranked or placed on a waitlist until a new apprenticeship class is scheduled to begin.

Plumbing can be challenging, but the difficulty depends on where you are in your career and what type of work you’re doing.

Early on, the job is physically demanding, especially during apprenticeship years when you’re often handling heavy materials, digging trenches, and working long hours. Staying in good physical shape and avoiding injuries is key to long-term success.

There’s also a mental side to the trade. While plumbing isn’t “rocket science,” it takes years to fully understand systems like venting, drainage, and code requirements. As you gain experience, the work becomes less about brute labor and more about problem-solving and responsibility. Mistakes can be costly, so attention to detail matters.

Some jobs can be dirty or uncomfortable, but many plumbers specialize in areas that limit that exposure. Over time, the physical strain decreases while skill and judgment become your most valuable tools.

Salary growth in plumbing follows a structured progression based on time in the trade, completed education, and licensing milestones. Over a four-to-five-year period, this system typically turns an entry-level wage into a high-earning career.

Most people begin as a “green” helper or runner, earning roughly $15 to $22 per hour. The first meaningful raise often happens quickly. Once you’re formally registered as an apprentice and receive your apprentice license, pay can jump immediately. For example, one plumber reported moving from $18 per hour as a helper to $22 per hour as soon as they became a licensed apprentice.

From there, pay increases follow an apprenticeship “staircase.” Union apprenticeships guarantee annual raises, while competitive non-union shops often follow a similar structure. A common progression looks like $27 per hour in year two, $35 per hour in year three after completing the required trade school, and around $40 per hour by year four. At that point, a full-time apprentice can gross about $9,000 per month.

The biggest jump comes after passing the journeyman exam, which requires roughly 10,000 work hours and four years of schooling. Passing can raise pay immediately to $54–$60 per hour, with union total compensation packages reaching the low $70s per hour in some regions.

Beyond base pay, plumbers often earn more through commissions, bonuses, overtime, and side work, making income growth both predictable and expandable over time.

If you’re willing to start at the bottom, put in the time, and commit to learning the trade, plumbing can be a highly rewarding career. The path isn’t quick, but it’s structured, paid, and leads to strong wages, job security, and long-term benefits. For people who prefer hands-on work and clear advancement, becoming a plumber offers a reliable path to a stable, high-income profession.