How to Become a Plumber in Georgia

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Do you have a talent for problem-solving and enjoy working with your hands?

If you answer yes, becoming a plumber in Georgia might be your ideal career choice.

Picture yourself as the expert behind the scenes, ensuring homes and businesses have reliable water systems and efficient plumbing infrastructure.

If you think you are suited for a career in plumbing, this article will help you start your journey by informing you of everything you need to know to become a plumber in Georgia.

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Get information on Plumber programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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How to Become a Plumber in Georgia – Step by Step

To begin your plumbing career in Georgia you:

  • Must be 18 years old or older
  • Have a High School degree or the GED equivalent

You need to gain at least 3 years of training or experience in the field before you can become a licensed plumber.

You can gain the knowledge and experience needed through:

  • Apprenticeship programs
  • Working under the supervision of an already licensed professional
  • College courses
  • Vocational school

Aspiring plumbers in Georgia tend to combine on-the-job training with classroom education to gain as much experience and expertise in the field as possible.

Georgia offers a total of 3 different plumbing licenses:

  • Journeyman Plumber
  • Master Plumber Class I
  • Master Plumber Class II

Journeyman Plumber

As we briefly mentioned, you need at least 3-years of primary or secondary experience before you can apply for any plumbing license in Georgia.

Primary experience refers to work experience, while secondary experience refers to training or any educational experience.

After you have obtained the 3 years of training and/or experience you can go on, and apply for your Journeyman Plumbing Licensure.

You will need to fill out the application form and provide proof of your training/experience.

The application fee is $30.

All Plumbing licenses are being issued by Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers in partnership with PSI exams who are responsible for the exam portion of the licensing process.

The next step is to take the Trade exam.

The exam fee for Journeyman is $223.

You will have 5 hours to complete the exam, and you will receive your results shortly after the examination.

If you have a score of 70% or higher you have passed the exam and can go on to receive your Journeyman Plumber license.

Master Plumber Class I

A Master Plumber Class I is someone with 5 years of experience in plumbing work.

At least 2 of these 5 years must be primary experience (work).

You will also need a referral from at least 3 licensed plumbers who will attest to your experience and good professional character.

The process for applying is the same as Journeyman, and the application fee is $30.

The exam fee is $267.

The exam consists of 80 questions, and you will have a 7-hour time limit.

 If your score is 70% or higher you have passed and will go on to receive your Master Plumber Class I license.

Master Plumber Class II

There is one main difference between Class I and Class II plumbers.

Class II also needs to have at least 5 years of experience, 2 of which must be primary (work).

The difference is Class II must have documented experience in commercial or industrial plumbing.

The application process is the same as the other licenses, and the fee is $30.

The exam fee is $267.

The exam consists of 100 questions and there’s a 7-hour time limit.

If your score is 70% or higher you have passed the exam and can go on to get your Master Plumber Class II license.

Plumbing Schools in Georgia

Georgia offers some of the best schools and apprenticeship programs to make sure they have highly trained and knowledgeable professionals.

Here, we’ll share with you some of the best schooling options you can choose from:

Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta Technical College offers one starting program and the option to continue your education later.

The first program is the Residential/Commercial Plumbing Technician Certificate.

It’s a 2-semester long program, and it consists of 7 classes total.

With this course completed you will become a 1st year plumbing apprentice, and your starting salary will be around $37k.

The addition to this program is the Plumbing Service and Systems Specialist Certificate.

To receive this certificate you have 1 additional semester and 3 additional classes you need to take.

With this, you will be allowed to work in plumbing maintenance, and your starting salary will be around $46k.

The final continuation to this program you can take is to obtain your Plumbing and Pipeliffting Technology Diploma.

There is one additional semester and 3 additional classes here as well.

Having completed this program you will become a Plumbing Apprentice and your starting annual salary will be around $52k.

To learn more about the programs, how to apply, fees and more visit their website.

Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of Georgia

PHCC currently offers a 4-year online learning program, which requires 8,000 on-the-job hours.

The benefit of a program such as this one is that you can enroll and begin at any time.

This program will also allow you to be flexible with the pace, and move through material as well as when and where you are doing the work.

There are 15 different modules you will go through in total.

The tuition cost is $2,095 per student per year.

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

School Name Address
Atlanta Technical College 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, United States
Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of Georgia  101 Pilgrim Village Drive, Suite 200 Cumming, GA 30040, United States

Salary

The hard work plumbers put into keeping the intricate plumbing networks that make our homes and businesses run smoothly is greatly appreciated and fairly paid in Georgia.

The annual salary varies between $45833 and $77754 with the average currently being $61731.

Annual Salary Range:
$45K
$61K
$77K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Atlanta $62,485
Marietta $62,307
Roswell $62,247
Athens $62,040
Savannah $59,779
Augusta $59,534
Macon $59,094
Warner Robins $58,916
Albany $58,479
Columbus $57,859

Regional Salary in Georgia

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Albany, GA90$49,450$23.77$64,540$29,110
Athens-Clarke County, GA170$52,930$25.45$64,020$35,000
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA4,320$60,370$29.02$79,090$37,830
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC350$52,280$25.13$70,550$33,910
Brunswick, GA100$55,630$26.75$65,630$37,170
Columbus, GA-AL180$47,900$23.03$61,660$34,230
Dalton, GA40$50,530$24.3$64,950$34,460
Gainesville, GA140$56,920$27.36$71,330$38,140
Hinesville, GA50$49,210$23.66$62,340$36,000
Macon, GA130$48,170$23.16$60,280$35,730
Rome, GA40$51,640$24.83$62,180$36,460
Savannah, GA350$59,530$28.62$77,660$37,630
Valdosta, GA80$44,420$21.36$61,710$33,890
Warner Robins, GA150$50,780$24.41$64,040$31,510
* 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

How much does license renewal cost in Georgia?

The renewal fee in Georgia depends on the license you are renewing.

The Journeyman Plumber License renewal fee is $35.

The Master Plumber Class I and Master Plumber Class II renewal fees are both $75.

How long is my plumbing license valid in Georgia?

Plumbing licenses in Georgia must be renewed by November 30th, every even-numbered year.

The next renewals need to be complete by November 30th, 2024.

Where are plumbing exams being taken in Georgia?

The plumbing examinations are a collaboration between the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers and PSI exams and the location is 237 Coliseum Dr Macon, GA 31217.

Plumber Info by State

Jamie Willis
Career Specialist at BecomeopediaHi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.

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