Plumbing Schools in Maryland

To start a career as a plumber in Maryland, candidates must meet the basic educational requirements, obtain thorough training at an accredited destination, and fulfill possible certification and licensure requirements. Doing all these smoothly and straightforwardly is only possible if individuals clearly understand what to expect.

Thankfully, that is exactly the aim of the comprehensive guide we have provided below.

Candidates will discover all these steps and requirements, including available options at each stage.

For comprehensive education, we have also highlighted the city’s most notable plumbing training programs before rounding up with an in-depth look at salary protection for plumbers in Maryland based on location and experience.

How to Become a Plumber in Maryland

Below are the requirements for starting a plumbing career in Maryland.

Enroll in a Training Program

Anyone working as a plumber in Maryland must first acquire proper education at a relevant establishment. This can be a work environment, an academic environment, or an apprenticeship program combining both.

Most of these places will also ask that candidates provide their high school diploma or GED equivalent before admission.

Academic Training

Academic training as a prospective plumber offers several advantages, particularly when it’s time to secure employment. It is no secret that employers tend to value degrees and certificates, and academic programs offer these.

Candidates may enroll in a 6-month certificate program to start their careers immediately. They may also attend associate degree programs for comprehensive training in 2 years.

Apprenticeship Training

Apprenticeship programs boast “on-the-job” training, where candidates acquire skills in a real-world environment instead of a classroom. Of course, plumbing training programs with a view of robust training may also incorporate classroom sessions.

These programs also offer strong connections, as most instructors are experienced plumbers.

Certification & Employment

Lastly, after completing their training, candidates may proceed to secure employment. Before they do so, however, they must consider the licensure and certification requirements highlighted in the next section.

Explore Trades with Similar Paths

• Learn to become a carpenter in Maryland.

Licensure & Certification Requirements

There are three different types of plumbing licenses in Maryland. These are the apprentice/gasfitter license, the journeyman plumber/gasfitter license, and the master plumber/gasfitter license.

Aspiring apprentices must be at least 16 years old. Aspiring journeyman plumbers must have 7500 hours of on-the-job experience, working under the supervision of a licensed journeyman plumber in the state. They may then proceed to sit for and pass the journeyman exam.

Those who have worked for 3,750 hours as journeyman plumbers under the supervision of master plumbers may proceed to apply for a master license of their own. They may then proceed to sit for and pass the master plumber exam.

Master plumbers can start their businesses but must have $300,000 in general liability insurance and $100,000 in property damage insurance.

Top Plumbing Schools in Maryland

Below are some high-quality plumbing training destinations for candidates in Maryland to consider.

Explore Plumbing Schools in Maryland by City:

• Plumbing Schools in Baltimore

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary that an aspiring plumber in Maryland should look forward to ranges from $39,939 to $109,045. At the lower end, $39,939 is the figure revealed to be the annual average salary for those among the bottom 10% earners in the state, while $109,045 on the upper end applies to those among the top 10% plumbers in Maryland.

An average plumber in the state can expect to earn a yearly salary of around $65,994, which is also in line with the national average. To improve their earning potential, candidates may acquire more credentials, move to more favorable locations, or expect to earn more as they gain more experience.

For those who would like to increase their earnings by optimizing location, Beltsville is the highest-paying city for plumbers in Maryland - with an annual average salary of $178,885. This is followed by Upper Marlboro, with another salary of $74,410, and Rockville, with an annual average salary of $72,439.

Gaithersburg and Baltimore, with annual average salaries of $69,064 and $66,022, respectively, are the top five.