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Plumbers and pipefitters in North Carolina: what they earn
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in North Carolina earned a median $57,080 a year in May 2025, $27.44 an hour. 14,510 people held the job, 2.9 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 11% below the national figure of $63,800, and North Carolina ranks 44 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a plumber in North Carolina — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. ↓
The full wage spread in North Carolina
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.69 | $38,860 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $22.38 | $46,550 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $27.44 | $57,080 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $30.43 | $63,290 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $36.47 | $75,850 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $27.27 | $56,720 | 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.
North Carolina against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Tennessee | $58,600 | 9,270 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $57,970 | 6,050 |
| 43 | Georgia | $57,200 | 8,930 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $57,080 | 14,510 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $56,980 | 1,830 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $55,480 | 3,360 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $53,940 | 5,770 |
The complete ranking is on the Plumbers and pipefitters page.
Against the national figure
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $57,080 | $63,800 |
| Median hourly | $27.44 | $30.67 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $38,860 | $44,150 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $75,850 | $108,420 |
| Employed | 14,510 | 465,840 |
Other trades in North Carolina
Electricians ($56,800) · HVAC technicians ($57,260) · Welders ($50,590) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($51,530)
See all five ranked by pay in North Carolina.
How to become a plumber in North Carolina
North Carolina licenses plumbing contractors statewide: a Restricted Limited tier plus Class II (single-family dwellings) and Class I (all structures), each requiring hands-on experience and a PSI exam. The licensing authority is North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor (RLP) | Exterior water-service and sewer lines 2 inches or smaller. 1,500 hours (about nine months) of experience, up to half from technical training; pass the PSI exam. License fee $150/year. | 1,500 hrs | Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor exam (PSI) | $150 |
| Plumbing Contractor Class II (P-II) | Single-family detached dwellings. Two years (4,000 hours) of on-site experience, up to half from technical training; pass the two-part PSI exam. License fee $150/year. | 4,000 hrs (≈ 2 yrs) | NC Plumbing Class II exam (trade + NC business and law, PSI) | $150 |
| Plumbing Contractor Class I (P-I) | All structures. Two years (4,000 hours) of on-site experience, up to half from technical training; pass the two-part PSI exam. License fee $150/year. | 4,000 hrs (≈ 2 yrs) | NC Plumbing Class I exam (trade + NC business and law, PSI) | $150 |
Reciprocity. No general reciprocity; all applicants must meet the North Carolina experience requirements. A technical-exam waiver exists with South Carolina, but the NC business exam is still required.
Renewal. Annual (all licenses expire December 31; renew in January).
Licensing sources: NC Board Applicant Information (retrieved 2026-09-16) · NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 2 (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina licenses plumbing contractors statewide: a Restricted Limited tier plus Class II (single-family dwellings) and Class I (all structures), each requiring hands-on experience and a PSI exam.
What does it cost to get licensed as a plumber in North Carolina?
The main application or license fee is $150; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become a plumber in North Carolina?
You can be licensed as Plumbing Contractor Class II 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.