In New Jersey, within the urban cities and diverse communities, the intricate plumbing networks are an essential yet often overlooked part of daily life.
Plumbers play a pivotal role in sustaining the rhythm of our homes, businesses, and neighborhoods.
If you are a resident of Garden State and are interested in a career that combines problem-solving skills and hands-on work plumbing is the perfect choice for you.
This article will help you on your journey to becoming a plumber in New Jersey.
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How to Become a Plumber in New Jersey
New Jersey offers registrations, certifications, and licenses for plumbers.
Registrations:
- Apprentice
- Journeyman
Certifications:
- Medical Gas Piping Installer
- Medical Gas Piping Instructor
Licenses:
- Master plumber
- Plumbing Contractor
In this article, we’ll cover only the necessary steps to becoming a plumber In New Jersey.
Apprentice Plumber
To begin your plumbing journey in New Jersey you must be at least 18.
You must also be a High School Graduate or have the GED equivalent.
Apprentice plumbers are plumbing trainees, and you can get your training done by:
- enrolling in a state-approved apprenticeship program
- working as an entry-level employee directly under the supervision of a master plumber
- attending a 4-year vocational school/college program
In addition to this when you begin your training you need to register as an apprentice through the Board and pay the application fee.
After you have completed 4-years of training, you can receive your Journeyman Plumber registration.
Journeyman Plumber
After you have completed the 4-years of training required you must go on and apply for your journeyman plumber registration.
You are required to work as a registered journeyman plumber for a year under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
After having a year of experience as a journeyman plumber you can apply for your master plumber license.
Master Plumber License
To apply for your Master Plumber License you must be 21 years old or older.
You must also have completed the 4-years of training and 1-year of experience as a journeyman plumber.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering you can also apply for the Master Plumber License.
You must submit an application form and pay the $100 application fee.
The exam consists of 3 different parts, all with separate fees to pay:
- Trades: $83
- Business & Law: $43
- Practical: $103
The Trades exam is an open-book exam that consists of 100 questions and has a 195-minute time limit.
The Business & Law exam is an open-book exam that consists of 50 questions and has a 130-minute time limit.
The Practical portion of the exam is a closed-book exam that consists of 25 questions with a 130-minute time limit.
You must have a score of 70% or higher on each portion of the exam to pass and receive your license.
The license fee is $160.
Plumbing Contractor
If you want to own your own plumbing business in New Jersey you need to get the Plumbing Contractor License.
You will require a Federal Tax Identification Number and $500,000 in general liability insurance to operate as an independent plumbing contractor in New Jersey.
Plumbing Schools in New Jersey
New Jersey offers a lot of great apprenticeship and formal education options for its aspiring plumbers.
Eastwick Education
Eastwick Education offers a Plumbers Apprenticeship Diploma Program.
Within this program, you can study at their campus in Paterson.
Graduates from this program are prepared to enter the NJPHCC’s apprenticeship program as second-year apprentices and are eligible for OSHA 10.
You can study this program in 2 different ways:
- 9 Months (Day classes)
- 18 Months (Evening classes)
For more information call them at 973-755-1766.
Pennco Tech
Pennco Tech offers a Plumbing and heating Program. 
In just 26 weeks you can graduate as a plumber.
Through this program, you’ll be able to develop skills in all types of plumbing and heating repair work used in residential, institutional, and commercial applications.
A wide range of plumbing and heating skills, including fixture installation and repair, brazing and soldering methods, and the use of specialist tools like a hydraulic crimping tool, will be covered in your training.
People who decide on, and graduate from this program will be prepared to confront the continuous challenges that their profession brings.
After you graduate, you’ll be able to join one of the largest and most stable occupations in this region.
A component of the curriculum is theoretical, but our committed educators teach 65% of the material through hands-on instruction.
Within the program, you will learn about:
- fundamentals
- plumbing math
- plumbing training
- heating systems
- as well as much of the technology each system uses
To learn more about this program and how to apply visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Eastwick Education | 634 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07513, United States |
| Pennco Tech | 99 Blenheim-Erial Rd, Blackwood, NJ 08012, United States |
Salary
New Jersey pays its plumbers great wages for their hard work keeping their plumbing systems and water supply running smoothly.
The annual wages can vary from $52427 to $88932.
$70609 is the current estimated average annual wage for plumbers in New Jersey.
Jersey City currently has the highest estimated annual average wages at $75362.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jersey City | $75,362 |
| Paterson | $73,951 |
| Bergenfield | $73,886 |
| Dover | $72,956 |
| Newark | $72,604 |
| Elizabeth | $72,604 |
| Edison | $71,962 |
| Woodbridge | $71,962 |
| Trenton | $69,956 |
| Camden | $68,063 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 360 | $77,090 | $37.06 | $120,690 | $49,930 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 140 | $75,100 | $36.11 | $128,820 | $43,280 |
| Trenton, NJ | 250 | $84,390 | $40.57 | $124,810 | $52,150 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | 400 | $92,380 | $44.41 | $107,170 | $50,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I renew my New Jersey plumbing license?
Plumbing licenses in New Jersey expire every June 30th of odd-numbered years, so you should have it renewed by then.
In what city can I take the Master Plumber exam in New Jersey?
You can take the Master Plumbing exam in a few cities in New Jersey including:
- Brick
- Cherry Hill
- Hamilton Township
- Linwood
- New Brunswick
- New Providence
- North Brunswick
- Parsippany
- Rochelle Park
- Secaucus
Who issues the plumbing exams in New Jersey?
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers collaborates with PSI exams to create and give out the plumbing exams in New Jersey.
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