Become a Plumber in Arizona
Plumbing is an essential skilled trade, and every home and business needs the service of a plumber sooner or later. If you become an Arizona plumber, you’ll have the skills to install plumbing fixtures, repair or replace pipes, clean drains, clear obstructions and help maintain septic systems. Your skills will be in high demand, and you’ll have one of the highest paid occupations in the construction industry.
Requirements to Become a Plumber in Arizona
Obtaining a high school diploma or the equivalent is the first thing you need to do to become a plumber in Arizona. A basic knowledge of math, science, reading and writing are an important foundation for any skilled trade. You’ll need a valid driver’s license, and you’ll need to be drug-free and able to pass a criminal background check.
The next step is to enroll in a plumbing training program to learn the technical skills needed for this career. You’ll be required to spend four to five years working as an apprentice to gain the expertise needed to become licensed in this state.
Plumbing programs typically cover some of the following topics:
- Water distribution systems
- Water supply systems
- waste systems
- Vent systems
- Repair plumbing systems
- Plumbing fundamentals
- Construction drawings
- Interpret construction plans
Plumbing Schools in Arizona
Technical plumbing training programs in Arizona are offered at trade institutions, vocational schools and community colleges. At these programs, some of what you’ll learn includes blueprint reading, local codes and regulations and information on safety. Some plumbing training programs in Arizona include:
- Gateway Community College. This community college offers a Certificate of Completion in Construction Trades – Mechanical Trades: Plumbing, at their Washington campus in Phoenix. Students select from 24-48 credits and learn safety, basic and advanced plumbing calculations, material selection, plumbing code, blueprint reading and more.
- Pima Community College. Located in Tucson, this college offers a certificate in Plumbing. Students receive hands-on practice for plumbing and pipefitting, installing and maintaining pipe fixtures and systems, pipe-joint connections, reading blueprints and learning applicable codes and standards.
Becoming an Apprentice Plumber in Arizona
Plumbing is a valuable and meaningful career, in which you’ll be a part of the fabric of civilization. Although you’ll be working both inside and out of doors, sometimes in cramped, cold or hot conditions, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work is an essential part of modern life. Due to the importance of having reliable, safe plumbing systems, plumbers are regulated in most U.S. states, including Arizona.
Arizona issues plumbing licenses to contractors, who must have four years of experience in the field and must pass two tough exams—a technical exam on plumbing and an exam on business management. One of the best ways to obtain your necessary years of experience is to become a plumbing apprentice.
Apprentices commit to work for an employer for a number of years and receive a decent wage, learning and performing all the tasks involved in plumbing under the direct supervision of experienced, licensed plumbers. You’ll learn everything you need to know, plus you’ll have the opportunity to build connections with local colleagues and customers and to get to know the industry in your area.
The state apprenticeship office is a good place to look for available apprenticeships—remember, pipefitting, steam and sprinkler work also come under plumbing. Private firms often hire apprentices, advertising roles on job websites such as Indeed or ZipRecruiter. You can also contact local branches of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, like this Phoenix local. They form joint apprenticeship committees with area employers to ensure there are plenty of apprentices becoming plumbers each year.
Licensing or Certification of Arizona Plumbers
Once you’ve completed an apprenticeship, you’re considered a journeyman plumber. This means you’ve demonstrated the skills to be able to work independently and you’re eligible to take an exam to become licensed.
In Arizona, you can choose to pursue a license as either a residential plumber or a commercial plumber. To obtain one of these licenses, you’ll need to pass both a Business Management Exam and a Trade Exam. Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship and passed your exams, you’re eligible to apply for a contractor’s license through Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Salary and Job Opportunities for Plumbers in Arizona
The data for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Arizona reflects a slightly lower average annual wage compared to the national figures. Nationally, the average salary for this occupation is $60,090. The lowest 10% earn about $37,250, while the highest 10% surpass $101,190 annually.
In Arizona, the average wage is $49,560, with the lowest 10% earning $37,650 and the highest 10% up to $88,060. This shows that while the lower wage threshold in Arizona is close to the national average, the top earners in Arizona do not reach as high as their counterparts nationally.
National vs. Arizona Salary Comparison
| Location | 10% Low | 25% Low | Median | 75% High | 90% High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $37,250 | $46,630 | $60,090 | $78,960 | $101,190 |
| Arizona | $37,650 | $46,190 | $49,560 | $63,330 | $88,060 |
Salaries by Regions in Arizona
| Region | 10% Low | 25% Low | Median | 75% High | 90% High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $38,100 | $46,810 | $50,380 | $67,230 | $88,230 |
| Tucson, AZ | $36,720 | $39,850 | $48,630 | $60,240 | $78,240 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $36,660 | $40,190 | $47,980 | $61,690 | $66,240 |
Plumbing Trends in Arizona
The employment outlook for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Arizona is experiencing significant growth. As of 2020, the state employed approximately 10,410 individuals in this sector. This number is projected to increase to 13,540 by the year 2030, marking a substantial growth rate of 30%. This robust expansion reflects a growing demand for skilled tradespeople in the region.
Each year, between 2020 and 2030, Arizona is expected to have about 1,520 job openings in this field. This includes new positions due to growth and replacements for vacated positions. In comparison, the national employment growth for this profession is much slower, with a projected increase of only 2% from 2022 to 2032, though the absolute number of job openings nationally remains high at 42,600 annually due to the larger workforce.
Trends
| Location | Employment (Start of Period) | Projected Employment (End of Period) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 10,410 (2020) | 13,540 (2030) | 30% | 1,520 |
| United States | 482,700 (2022) | 493,600 (2032) | 2% | 42,600 |
Sources of data:
- State Data: The projections for this State from 2020 to 2030 are provided by Projections Central, which offers long-term projections for occupational employment.
- United States Data: The nationwide employment projections from 2022 to 2032 are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which regularly publishes detailed employment projections for a wide range of occupations across the United States.
Working as an Arizona Plumber
The plumbing profession as a whole is highly skilled and well-respected. As an Arizona plumber, you can work in many different sectors of the field, from installing residential appliances to working on large construction projects. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your work contributes to the safety, comfort and convenience of people’s everyday lives.
As an Arizona plumber, you’ll read blueprints, install fixtures and pipes, determine materials needed for a job and provide estimates to clients. Your work may have to be done outdoors or in tight spaces, and you may need to work during days, nights and weekends as well as addressing emergency situations at all hours.
If you can’t imagine a career sitting behind a desk all day and enjoy troubleshooting malfunctioning systems and finding solutions, working as an Arizona plumber may be your ideal job. Opportunities continue to grow across the whole state, especially in the larger cities such as Phoenix and Tucson.