Are you thinking about becoming a plumber?
Plumbing is a great career choice for everyone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty.
Plumbers are essentially like medics for our homes, they make sure the systems and apparatus that are responsible for our heating, sanitation, and water supply are functioning perfectly, and are here to fix a bursting pipe or any other damage that may occur.
In this article, we will inform you about everything you need to know to become a plumber in Alaska.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in Alaska – Step-by-Step
Before you take any steps into your journey to becoming a plumber in Alaska you must be at least 16 years old and have a high school degree or the GED equivalent.
It’s important to know that in Alaska you can get a plumbing license based on your work experience or education.
Depending on your education/experience you can apply for different plumbing titles and licenses.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development issues all plumbing licenses.
Below we’ll share with you a step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed plumbing professional in Alaska.
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Pre-apprenticeship preparations are not mandatory, however, they are an excellent way to dip your toes into the plumbing career, learn the basics of the job, and have some background before entering an apprenticeship program.
You can find pre-apprenticeship programs in local vocational schools, trade schools, or community colleges.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship programs are mandatory to receive your plumbing license.
The United States Department of Labor and Workforce Development must approve the program.
By enrolling in an apprenticeship program you will be working under the supervision of an already licensed, experienced plumbing professional.
Trade associations, unions, or individual plumbing companies usually offer apprenticeships, and they take around 4 to 5 years to complete in Alaska.
Plumbing Utility License
With 1,000 hours of legal fieldwork or 125 hours of classroom education under your belt, you can apply for the plumbing utility license exam.
Fill out the application for the exam, and submit proof of your fieldwork/classroom education.
The fee to take the exam is $50.
The exam lasts for 4 hours, and you need a score of at least 70% to pass.
After passing the test you need to pay a fee of $200 to receive your license.
With this license, you will legally be allowed to install water piping, storm drains, and sewage piping.
Plumber Gas License
To apply for the plumber gas license you need to have at least 4,000 hours of fieldwork experience or 500 hours of classroom education.
At least 2000 of the work hours or half the school work needs to be centered around fuel gas piping.
The process to apply for the exam, and get the license is the same as for the plumbing utility license:
- Fill out the required application form
- Show proof of your fieldwork/classroom education
- Pay a $50 fee for the exam
- Score at least 70% to pass the exam
- Pay a $200 fee to receive your license
The plumber’s gas license will allow you to install gas piping and work on other issues involving gas pipes in your home.
Journeyman Plumber License
To become a journeyman plumber you need to have at least 8,000 hours of fieldwork behind you or 1000 hours of classroom education in installing commercial/residential plumbing.
This certification will legally allow you to work on the installation of commercial/residential plumbing.
Being a journeyman plumber also means that you can now supervise other apprentices and trainees.
The steps to getting this license are the same as the ones for plumbing utility, and plumber gas.
Plumbing Schools in Alaska
The state of Alaska doesn’t necessarily require a college degree or classroom education to become a plumber.
Statistics show that a bigger percentage of people looking to become a plumber choose to do on-the-field apprenticeships rather than school work in Alaska.
Here we’ll share with you some great apprenticeship programs and schools you can apply to on your journey to becoming a licensed plumber.
Plumbers and Steamfitters UA Local 367
Plumbers and Steamfitters UA Local 367 based in Anchorage offers on-the-job training and classroom education. 
The on-the-job training program is a 10,000-hour program, which means it will take 5 years to complete.
These apprenticeships are fully paid with a 10% increase every 12 months (2,000 work hours).
Classroom and shop training are a mandatory part of the program and take 6 weeks each year.
During the six weeks of classroom education, you will not be getting paid.
UA Local 367 offers apprenticeships for plumbing, pipefitting, welding, and heating apprenticeships.
By completing any of these programs you will have 10,000 hours worth of experience and can apply to get licensed.
You can learn more about the programs and apply on their website.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Fairbanks UA Local 375
The UA Local 375 offers another 5-year apprenticeship program located in Fairbanks, Alaska. 
Once you begin the apprenticeship you will be exposed to all the different branches in the piping industry to help you choose the one most suited for you.
The UA Local 375 has two indoor facilities with everything you will need for on-the-job training and classroom education, as well as some of the best instructors in the game.
The benefits of completing this apprenticeship program are:
- Great Wages
- Health Care
- 401k Retirement
- Union Pension
- The opportunity to start your own plumbing business
To learn more about the program and how to apply go to their website Plumbers and Pipefitters Fairbanks UA Local 375
ABC of Alaska Apprenticeship & Craft Training Program
ABC of Alaska Apprenticeship & Craft Training Program will pair you with a licensed and skilled journeyman plumber, who will be like your personal tutor.
This is a 4-year on-the-job training program with testing and reports to ensure that you come out of the program knowledgeable and ready to become a professional on your terms.
When you start this apprenticeship you will be earning half of what a journeyman plumber is earning.
Your pay will be anywhere from $18 to $34 hourly, as you progress into the program your earnings will get higher.
For more information check out their website ABC Alaska Associated Builders and Contractors.
Ilisagvik College
The Construction Technology Program at Ilisagvik College Alaska offers training in plumbing, pipeline insulation, pipefitting, welding, and other branches.
The program is designed to prepare its students for the workforce and update the skill levels of already employed apprentices or professionals.
It is an on-campus study program located in Utqiagvik, Alaska.
To learn more about the duration of the program, costs, application, and more visit their website Keystone Bachelor Studies.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| UA Local 367 Plumbers & Steamfitters | 610 W 54th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States |
| Plumbers and Pipefitters Fairbanks UA Local 375 | 3980 Boat St, Fairbanks, AK 99709, United States |
| ABC Alaska Associated Builders and Contractors | 301 Arctic Slope Ave Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States |
| Ilisagvik College | 100 Stevenson St, Utqiagvik, AK 99723, United States |
Salary
Alaska is one of the states where the plumbing wages are on the higher side.
The average salary for plumbing in Alaska is around $42 hourly or $69,407 annually.
The wage goes up with experience, working overtime, bonuses, and more.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage | $70,756 |
| Fairbanks | $70,464 |
| Juneau | $70,126 |
| Kodiak | $69,802 |
| Bethel | $69,802 |
| Wasilla | $69,802 |
| Barrow | $69,509 |
| Ketchikan | $69,172 |
| Sitka | $69,172 |
| Kenai | $64,704 |
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 450 | $83,450 | $40.12 | $110,960 | $49,860 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 170 | $79,610 | $38.28 | $103,720 | $54,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in other states using my Alaska plumbing license?
No, any sort of plumbing license received in Alaska is only applicable within the state of Alaska.
How long is my plumbing license valid?
All of the plumbing licenses above are valid for 2 years.
After that, you need to retake the exam in order to obtain your license.
How long does it take to become a plumber in Alaska?
Most of the apprenticeship programs in Alaska are between 4 and 5 years, which will give you anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 hours of work experience and the qualifications to apply for any of the licenses available.
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