With a thriving demand for skilled plumbing professionals in the Lone Star State, the unique landscape and diverse infrastructure create a
compelling need for proficient plumbers.
Texas, known for its vast expanses and varied climates, places significant importance on efficient plumbing systems across residential,
commercial, and industrial settings.
As a plumber in Texas, you’ll find yourself playing a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of these essential systems.
In this article, we’ll share with you the essential steps and insights on the path to becoming a successful plumber in the state of Texas.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in Texas – Step by Step
You will begin your plumbing journey in Texas by getting the necessary training.
You need to complete at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (4 years) and at least 48 hours of a formal course to apply for one of the
licenses the state issues.
You can gain your training and experience through:
- enrolling in a Board-approved apprenticeship program
- working directly under the supervision of an already licensed professional, who will also be your mentor
- enrolling in a technical or community college/vocational school/plumbing-specific program
As soon as you begin your training, you should register as an apprentice plumber with the Board and pay the $15 registration fee.
You will need to renew this registration annually until you complete your apprenticeship.
Texas issues the following plumbing licenses:
- Journeyman Plumber License
- Master Plumber License
Journeyman Plumber License
To apply for the Texas Journeyman Plumber License, you must have at least 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade and
have completed a Board-approved 48-hour training course, within or outside your apprenticeship.
You must also be eligible to work in the state of Texas.
You can apply for this license if you have completed your training as an apprentice plumber or if you need to renew your Texas Journeyman
Plumber License or If you are an already licensed Journeyman Plumber in another state.
You must submit an application form and pay the $40 exam fee.
After the Board approves your application you will go on to take the Journeyman exam.
The Journeyman plumbing exam consists of a few different portions:
- 90 multiple-choice questions
- Practical hands-on shop work
- Design project of a two-story drainage and vent system
You will receive your results approximately a month after taking the exam.
If you have passed the exam you will go on to apply for licensure and pay the $40 licensure fee.
If you fail the exam you will have to wait a while while you complete a training period before retaking the exam.
You will be allowed to retake the portions of the exam that you have failed.
Master Plumber License
To apply for the Master plumber license you must have a High School Diploma or the GED equivalent and be eligible to work in the state of
Texas.
You can apply for this license if you meet one of the following experience requirements:
- You have been a licensed Journeyman Plumber for 4 years
- You have completed an approved apprenticeship program and have had a Journeyman License for at least 1 year
- You are a licensed Master plumber in another state with one of the previous two requirements met
You must submit an application form and pay the $175 examination fee.
After they approve your application you will go on to take the Master Plumbing exam.
The exam consists of the following questions:
- 210 multiple-choice questions
- 1 Fuel Gas Pipe Sizing chart
- 1 water pipe sizing chart
- 1 gas-fueled appliance vent sizing chart
- 1 drainage system pipe sizing chart
- Design of a 3-story sanitary drainage and vent system for 16 plumbing fixtures
You will receive your results approximately a month after taking the exam.
If you have passed the exam you will go on to apply for licensure and pay the $75 licensure fee.
If you fail the exam, you will be rescheduled after submitting a new application that is completed and paid for.
The new appointment will take place in the order in which the new application is received, however, it cannot be done earlier than 30 days
following the first failure, 60 days following the second failure, or 90 days following the third failure.
Plumbing Schools in Texas
Texas offers great classes and apprenticeship programs for its aspiring plumbers.
Johnny Kurten Plumbing Education
Johnny Kurten Plumbing Education offers a variety of different courses tailored to the different needs of Texas’ aspiring plumbers, and already licensed professionals in need of a different certification or continuing education.
Here are some of the courses they offer:
- 2-day prep classes for the Master Exam or Inspector Exam
- 24-hour State-required training for the Tradesman Exam
- 48 hour State required training for the Journeyman Exam
- 6-hour Continuing Education for license renewal
- 6-hour Apprentice Continuing Education to meet the required 24 hours to qualify for the Tradesman exam and to renew Apprentice registration with endorsements or to obtain endorsements
- Medical Gas Endorsement Training Program
- Multi-purpose Residential Fire Sprinkler Specialist Endorsement Training
- 10-hour OSHA Certification Training
- Water Supply Protection Specialist (WSPS)
The prices for all the courses are highly affordable and as low as $95.
To see more of their courses, requirements, fees, and class schedules visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Johnny Kurten Plumbing Education | 1050 State Hwy 95, Taylor, TX 76574, United States |
Salary
Texan plumbers are greatly rewarded for the hard work they put into keeping the community’s plumbing systems running smoothly.
The annual salary for plumbers in Texas can vary between $46812 and $79408.
The current average annual salary in Texas is $63047.
It is no surprise that Houston itself is the city with the highest annual average salaries with an estimated $65260.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $65,260 |
| Dallas | $63,721 |
| Plano | $63,721 |
| Garland | $63,271 |
| Austin | $63,079 |
| Fort Worth | $62,496 |
| Arlington | $62,394 |
| San Antonio | $61,854 |
| Corpus Christi | $60,199 |
| El Paso | $56,099 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 320 | $50,110 | $24.09 | $65,080 | $34,100 |
| Amarillo, TX | 410 | $52,350 | $25.17 | $64,140 | $35,730 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 4,370 | $59,910 | $28.81 | $78,040 | $38,110 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 950 | $67,770 | $32.58 | $80,870 | $37,890 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 330 | $43,780 | $21.05 | $54,500 | $29,030 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 420 | $52,470 | $25.23 | $74,690 | $35,270 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 930 | $59,210 | $28.47 | $72,300 | $37,480 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 11,280 | $59,400 | $28.56 | $78,020 | $38,330 |
| El Paso, TX | 700 | $50,550 | $24.3 | $72,880 | $29,740 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 11,540 | $59,610 | $28.66 | $77,900 | $36,860 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 330 | $51,260 | $24.64 | $77,050 | $35,080 |
| Laredo, TX | 130 | $41,750 | $20.07 | $60,690 | $22,370 |
| Longview, TX | 370 | $52,600 | $25.29 | $70,370 | $33,560 |
| Lubbock, TX | 590 | $51,070 | $24.56 | $73,460 | $32,950 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 370 | $46,230 | $22.23 | $61,040 | $30,010 |
| Midland, TX | 390 | $56,490 | $27.16 | $75,400 | $38,830 |
| Odessa, TX | 260 | $56,730 | $27.27 | $72,440 | $39,020 |
| San Angelo, TX | 170 | $49,730 | $23.91 | $65,270 | $32,560 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 2,900 | $53,310 | $25.63 | $72,090 | $36,490 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 160 | $48,840 | $23.48 | $63,730 | $35,690 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 130 | $49,900 | $23.99 | $62,460 | $34,770 |
| Tyler, TX | 310 | $49,400 | $23.75 | $63,560 | $30,220 |
| Victoria, TX | 110 | $52,570 | $25.27 | $65,320 | $36,340 |
| Waco, TX | 460 | $54,450 | $26.18 | $76,550 | $35,830 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 180 | $50,640 | $24.34 | $63,520 | $34,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a plumber without a license in Texas?
No, to legally work as a plumber in Texas you have to obtain one of the licenses the state issues or at least be an apprentice
plumber (plumbing trainee).
When should I renew my plumbing license in Texas?
Plumbing licenses in Texas expire annually, on the date of your initial licensure, so you should have them renewed annually up to that date.
How much does a plumbing license renewal cost in Texas?
The plumbing license renewal fees in Texas differ depending on the license you are renewing and they are the same as your initial licensure fee.
- Journeyman Plumber License renewal – $40
- Master Plumber License renewal – $75
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