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Plumbers and pipefitters in Michigan: what they earn
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Michigan earned a median $80,190 a year in May 2025, $38.56 an hour. 14,120 people held the job, 3.2 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 26% above the national figure of $63,800, and Michigan ranks 9 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a plumber in Michigan — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Plumbing Board. ↓
The full wage spread in Michigan
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.38 | $46,560 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $27.93 | $58,090 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $38.56 | $80,190 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $45.86 | $95,390 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $49.73 | $103,430 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $37.14 | $77,250 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
Michigan against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Massachusetts | $93,880 | 13,460 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $81,210 | 10,210 |
| 8 | Washington | $81,030 | 12,470 |
| 9 | Michigan | $80,190 | 14,120 |
| 10 | Montana | $79,960 | 1,860 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $78,240 | 8,750 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $78,060 | 2,500 |
The complete ranking is on the Plumbers and pipefitters page.
Against the national figure
| Michigan | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $80,190 | $63,800 |
| Median hourly | $38.56 | $30.67 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $46,560 | $44,150 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $103,430 | $108,420 |
| Employed | 14,120 | 465,840 |
Other trades in Michigan
Electricians ($76,270) · HVAC technicians ($60,850) · Welders ($49,990) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($57,180)
See all five ranked by pay in Michigan.
How to become a plumber in Michigan
Michigan licenses plumbers at the state level through LARA on a three-step path — registered Apprentice, Journey Plumber (6,000 hours over 3+ years plus an exam), and Master Plumber (4,000 hours as a journey plumber over 2+ years plus an exam). The licensing authority is Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Plumbing Board.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber (registration) | Register within 30 days of employment and work under a licensed journey or master plumber, keeping the registration current so hours count. | — | — | $15 |
| Journey Plumber | At least 18; 6,000 hours over at least 3 years as a registered apprentice; pass the written and practical exam (PSI). License fee $40; exam fee $100. | 6,000 hrs (≈ 3 yrs) | Journey plumber written + practical exam (PSI, $100) | $40 |
| Master Plumber | At least 18; 4,000 hours as a journey plumber over at least 2 years; pass the exam (PSI). License fee $300 (issued for up to 3 years). | 4,000 hrs (≈ 2 yrs) | Master plumber exam (PSI, $100) | $300 |
Renewal. Annual for the journey and apprentice registrations (the master license is issued for up to three years).
Licensing sources: Michigan LARA Plumbing Licensing (retrieved 2026-09-16) · MCL 339.6121 (fees) (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Plumbing Board before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Michigan?
Michigan licenses plumbers at the state level through LARA on a three-step path — registered Apprentice, Journey Plumber (6,000 hours over 3+ years plus an exam), and Master Plumber (4,000 hours as a journey plumber over 2+ years plus an exam).
What does it cost to get licensed as a plumber in Michigan?
Application and license fees run from about $15 to $300 depending on the tier, with separate exam fees in some cases — see the table above.
How long does it take to become a plumber in Michigan?
You can be licensed as Master Plumber after about 2 years of on-the-job training (4,000 hours); higher tiers take longer.
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.