Philadelphia's plumbing trade has become a vital and growing career path, offering competitive salaries and long-term stability. With $65,225 to $65,861 as the average starting salary for plumbers in 2025, it's an ideal time to enter this skilled trade. However, there are specific licensing requirements, education pathways, and challenges to be aware of before starting your journey123. Whether you're just out of high school or making a career change, this guide will walk you through every step of entering the plumbing profession in Philadelphia, including resources like the eCLIPSE portal for license applications.
Before diving into the plumbing certification process, it’s helpful to understand what plumbers do. Professionals in this field install, repair, and maintain water, drainage, and gas systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This includes working with pipes, fixtures, water heaters, and advanced plumbing systems. With Philadelphia’s aging infrastructure, there's a constant need for skilled plumbers to upgrade, repair, and retrofit systems to meet modern standards and efficiency requirements4. For more insights on industry trends, check out UCFS trends.
Yes! To work in the plumbing trade in Philadelphia, PA in 2025, you must go through a structured licensing process that includes:
You cannot work as a journeyman or master plumber without these licenses, meaning the apprentice stage is foundational for legal employment in the field6.
By far the most common way to start a plumbing career in Philadelphia is through a plumbing apprenticeship program, which combines hands-on training (2,000 hours per year) with classroom education (minimum 224 hours per year)7. A union apprenticeship like Plumbers Local 690 typically spans five years, but they are not offering applications in 2025, so alternative learning sources are important8.
| Plumbing Education Option | Average Duration | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Union Apprenticeship (Local 690) | 5 years | Combines on-the-job experience and classroom training for full skill development. Rarely accepting applicants in 20258. |
| Orleans Technical College | 6–13 months | Provides focused training for plumbing systems, with high job placement rates upon graduation9. Visit Orleans Technical College for details. |
| Community College or Vocational School | 1-2 years (approx.) | General trade programs covering broader plumbing principles for a full career foundation. |
To find apprenticeship opportunities:
Always apply for licenses through the City of Philadelphia after securing your apprenticeship or educational program4.
To start your journey, you must:
While institutions like Orleans Technical College 9 offer flexible plumbing options from 6–13 months, earning a broader plumbing foundation from trade programs is highly recommended before pursuing an apprenticeship1.
An apprenticeship is the most structured path toward becoming a licensed plumber. Look for partnerships with licensed master plumbers or training programs at technical schools, especially since union-based programs may not be open in 20258.
After completing your apprenticeship, apply for the Journeyman Plumber License. This requires documentation of your four years of apprenticeship experience or equivalent experience from another jurisdiction and successfully passing an exam6.
Once you have one year of journeyman-level experience, you can sit for the Master Plumber Examination. After passing, you’re eligible to work independently or start your own business. Also, be sure to register for the BIRT tax and obtain a Commercial Activity License if you’re launching a plumbing service6.
Plumbing remains a promising field due to the combination of aging infrastructure, new construction projects, and the national trend of 6% growth in plumber jobs from 2023 to 20331. In Philadelphia specifically, the demand for qualified plumbers is soaring.
| Career Stage | Average Annual Salary (Philadelphia) | National Context |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $65,225-$65,861 | Comparable to Pennsylvania’s statewide starting hourly rate of $30.464 |
| 2-4 Years Experience | $68,805 | Growth reflects consistency in employment and market demand |
| 5+ Years Experience | $72,235 | Higher end professional prospects |
| Master Plumbers (specialized roles) | $73,606-$73,839+ | Reflects skill mastery and expertise. Check GetJobber for more licensing details. |
Philadelphia’s plumbers stand to earn competitive salaries, although cities like New York or Chicago might offer slightly higher earning potential. However, Philadelphia’s strong industry growth (~$5.9 billion statewide by 20252), paired with collaboration with plumbers in repairing infrastructure and retrofitting practices, makes it a strong market for local professionals1.
Plumbers in Philadelphia are expected to shift with the region's emphasis on green plumbing practices and technology.
Smart Plumbing Technology:
Green and Eco-Friendly Practices:
Retrofitting and Infrastructure Projects:
For plumbers, staying current in these areas and finding training resources will be essential to long-term success. Consider programs focusing on these technologies to enhance your expertise2.
Plumbing professionals in Philadelphia face a few setbacks to monitor in 2025:
Regulatory Changes:
Labor Shortages:
Customer Education:
To succeed in Philadelphia, plumbers must keep up with evolving industry dynamics, economic challenges, and technological innovation.
Unions are a powerful resource for plumbers in Philadelphia. Plumbers Local 690 and Steamfitters Local 420 work alongside organizations like the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania (MCAEPA) to provide professional development, advocacy, and job placement services129. Local unions even invest over $100 million annually across N.A. in training programs, ensuring that Philadelphia plumbers remain equipped with the latest skills and certifications4.
The benefits offered by unions extend well beyond education, too. Members can access:
Unions offer not just job connections but ongoing training and long-term career development strategies for Philadelphia plumbers2.
Starting a career in the plumbing trade in Philadelphia in 2025 offers a stable and rewarding future. Whether you're looking to enroll in an apprenticeship, earn your journeyman license, or eventually run your own business, the right foundation is critical. Engaging with unions and professional training institutions will give you the support needed to navigate Philadelphia’s thriving industry.
Ready to secure a spot in the plumbing trade? Consider visiting plumbers690.org for programs or using Gild 8 to find open apprenticeship roles that match your skills and interests. Additionally, explore GetJobber for more tips and LU420 for union resources. Opportunities for skilled plumbers in Philadelphia are growing—as are the opportunities for those who act decisively to start their plumbing careers today5.
https://www.ibisworld.com/us/industry/pennsylvania/plumbers/13083/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/plumbing-industry-statistics.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/trade-licenses/get-a-plumber-apprentice-license/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://www.getjobber.com/academy/plumbing-license/pennsylvania/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://plumbers690.org/training.aspx?zone=training&pID=5881 ↩ ↩2
https://plumbers690.org/training.aspx?zone=training&pID=6622 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.servicetitan.com/blog/plumbing-job-openings ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
