How to Become a Plumber in Nebraska

If you’re searching for a fulfilling and practical career in Nebraska, consider becoming a plumber.

This is a trade that sometimes goes undetected yet is extremely important to our daily lives.

Plumbing is the foundation of modern infrastructure, ensuring clean water supply and efficient wastewater removal.

If this sounds like the career you want to pursue, let this article serve you as a guide on how to become a plumber in Nebraska.

How to Become a Plumber in Nebraska

While the criteria and requirements for becoming a plumber in Nebraska are very similar to other states, Nebraska doesn’t issue plumbing licenses on a state level.

Local municipalities are responsible for issuing licenses to their aspiring plumbers.

In this article, we will focus on the process of becoming a plumber in Omaha since it is the largest city in the state, and it’s known for its trade market.

How to Become a Plumber in Omaha

The City of Omaha Planning Department is responsible for issuing the plumbing certificates and licenses in the city.

Omaha issues the following certificates/licenses:

• Apprentice Plumber Certificate
• Journeyman Plumber License
• Master Plumber License

Omaha Apprentice Plumber Certificate

To become an apprentice plumber you must be at least 18 years old with a High School Degree or the GED equivalent.

You must also register with the City of Omaha Plumbing Board, and submit an apprenticeship agreement.

The registration fee is $20.

As an apprentice, you will be working under the supervision of already licensed and skilled plumbers who will guide you throughout the whole process.

You are required to obtain 4-years of apprenticeship before you can go on and apply for the Journeyman Plumber License.

Omaha Journeyman Plumber License

To meet the criteria to apply for your Journeyman Plumber License you must show proof of the required training.

In Omaha, there are a few different ways to complete your schooling/on-the-job training needed to apply for your license:

• Have completed a 4-year apprenticeship program that is approved by the city board
• Have completed classroom education and on-the-job training combined as required by the city-certified program you attended
• Have completed a total of 7,000 hours of work experience within the last 7 years, where you must have completed at least 300 hours of work annually

You must submit your exam application to the City of Omaha Plumbing Board, and pay the $50 exam fee.

If you have passed the exam you will go on to receive your license, there is an additional licensure fee that costs $20.

Omaha Master Plumber License

Water conditioning units and lawn sprinkler systems are just two examples of the plumbing and drainage systems that a certified master plumber can design, plan, layout, and oversee throughout installation, modification, and maintenance.

You can apply for your Master Plumber License in Omaha if you have 4 consecutive years of experience working as a licensed Journeyman Plumber.

You must submit your exam application to the City of Omaha Plumbing Board, and pay the $75 exam fee.

If you have passed the exam you will go on to receive your license, there is an additional licensure fee that costs $100.

Plumbing Schools in Nebraska

Northeast Community College

Northeast Community College offers a program called Plumbing Technology.

This program’s enrollment is restricted and determined by the application date.

With the help of this new program from Northeast, you will learn the ideas and gain the abilities required to install new plumbing systems in newly constructed structures as well as carry out plumbing repairs in residences, apartments, and commercial buildings.

Your instructor will assist you in putting your technical knowledge and abilities to use in the areas of plumbing systems and materials, plumbing codes and print reading, plumbing and pipe installation and maintenance, and piping selection and layout methods.

Along with gaining practical experience in the plumbing trade, you will also strengthen your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

These are the suggested courses within this program and the credit hours that come with them:

• Technical Mathematics I – 3 credit hours
• Electricity and Mechanics for Plumbers – 3 credit hours
• Electricity and Mechanics for Plumbers Lab – 2 credit hours
• Plumbing Code and Print Reading – 2 credit hours
• Plumbing and Pipefitting Fundamentals – 3 credit hours
• Plumbing and Pipefitting Fundamentals Lab – 5 credit hours
• Plumbing Tools and Processes – 2 credit hours
• Trenching and Shoring – 1 credit hour
• Advanced Plumbing and Pipefitting – 3 credit hours
• Advanced Plumbing and Pipefitting Lab – 3 credit hours
• Gas Operations and Maintenance – 2 credit hours
• Gas Operations and Maintenance Lab- 2 credit hours
• Human Relations – 2 credit hours

The total program is 35 credit hours, and there are 2 additional credit hours with optional classes to choose from.

To learn more about this program, and how to apply visit their website.

Salary

Nebraska pays its plumbers fair wages for their hard work keeping their plumbing systems and water supply running smoothly.

The annual wages can vary from $44683 to $75797.

The annual average wage currently is estimated at $60,180.

Omaha and Bellevue currently have the highest estimated annual average wages at $60638.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Omaha	$60,638
Bellevue	$60,638
Lincoln	$60,103
Fremont	$59,676
Grand Island	$59,269
Columbus	$59,269
Kearney	$59,269
Hastings	$59,269
North Platte	$58,154
Norfolk	$55,101

Regional Salary in Nebraska

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC Code 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

In which cities can I get licensed as a plumber in Nebraska?

Some of the municipalities that issue plumbing licenses include

• Blair – Building Department – Contractor Registration
• La Vista – Building Department
• Lincoln – Trade Professional Registrations
• Nebraska City – City Hall
• Pottstown – Department of Economic Development
• Omaha – Planning Department – Plumbing Board
• South Sioux City – Inspection & Zoning Services
• Wayne – City Clerk – Licenses & Permits
• York – Building & Zoning Department

Do I have to have a plumbing license to work as a plumber in Nebraska?

Yes, the state requires you to get licensed on a municipal level if you want to legally work as a plumber in Nebraska.

Which plumbing codes does Nebraska use?

The Nebraska State Legislature has adopted the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code.

However, to verify the correct code it is best to check with your municipality.

Plumber Info by State