Plumber Classes in Michigan (Top Schools)

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Some of the reasons why more and more people in Michigan want to start a plumbing career are that this is a very demanding filed which is always in a lack of licensed professionals and you can become one with a relatively low education requirement, which will then provide you with good job security and wages.

Plumbing is an excellent field to look into, being that it is estimated that the job growth of 9.2% and a median hourly wage of $32.24 is expected in the years to come.

But how can you become licensed as a plumbing contractor?

In Michigan, there are three tiers of plumbing contractors, including apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber and the education and experience requirements for each of them are necessary.

We will provide you with all the information about that.

Michigan Plumbing License Reciprocity

If you are already licensed to perform plumbing contract work in another state, you would not be glad to find out that Michigan has no license reciprocity agreements.

You will need to obtain a journey or master plumbing license in order to perform work as a plumber even though you already have it in another state.

Michigan Master Plumbing License Requirements

A master plumber in the state of Michigan is a highly qualified plumbing contractor, with all the necessary skills and qualifications, who is licensed to work with the fewest number of restrictions in the state.

To become a master plumber in Michigan, applicants must meet the following:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have worked at least 4,000 hours as a journeyman plumber over a period of at least two years
  • Have notarized letters from your current and former employers that document your experience
  • Pass a required examination

If you are interested and you meet these requirements, then you must complete the application online or fill out and print the form which you have to mail to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes / Licensing Division
P.O. Box 30255
Lansing, MI 48909

There is a license fee of $300, which you can pay online or by check/money order to “State of Michigan – BCC” at the time of application.

Michigan Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements

A journeyman plumber is qualified to engage in the practical installation of plumbing, he/she can work independently, but they cannot open their own plumbing business.

A journeyman plumber can become a person who meets the following criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have accrued at least 6,000 hours of experience as an apprentice over a period of at least three years
  • Have documentation that proves this, such as a notarized letter from your apprenticeship sponsor
  • Pass a required exam

Just like master plumber candidates, those applying to become journeymen should complete the application online or fill out and print the form, and then send it to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes / Licensing Division
P.O. Box 30255
Lansing, MI 48909

There is a license fee of $40, and once your application is processed, you will be sent instructions by PSI Exams to schedule your journeyman exam.

Plumbing Journeyman and Master Exam

You will be instructed to apply online for the journeyman exam or master exam, or you can apply via phone at (800) 733-9267.

There is an examination fee of $100, which is the same for both the plumbing journeyman or master exam.

This is payable online or via the above phone number by credit card.

You will also be sent the Michigan plumbing contractor candidate information bulletin which includes everything you need to know about the exam process, where to go, and what to bring with you on exam day.

The exam is done on a computer at designated testing centers in Dearborn, Holt, Southfield, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Marquette.

When coming to the exam, you should bring a government-issued ID and any approved reference materials and tools listed in the bulletin.

The journeyman exam has 125 questions, while the master exam has 130, and you must get at least 70% of the questions correct to pass.

Three hours of time is allowed to complete either exam.

Michigan Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

An apprentice can perform work under the supervision of a qualified, licensed plumber.

You must earn 6,000 hours of experience over at least three years in an apprenticeship before you can go on to become a journeyman plumber.

But, prior to this, you must seek out an apprenticeship and within the first 30 days of your employment as a plumbing apprentice, you must register with the state.

A plumbing apprentice in Michigan must fill and print out the registration application, then mail it to:

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes
P.O. Box 30255
Lansing, MI 48909

Furthermore, you will need to include a $15 check made out to “State of Michigan” with your application which is nonrefundable.

Plumbing Trade Schools in Michigan

Our suggestion for aspiring plumbers is to get an education through a trade school.

This is a great way to learn the essentials and gain some knowledge and experience, so we offer you some schools and you can check out the following options:

Detroit Training Institute of Technology – Modern Plumbing (course)
14701 Harper Ave
Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 527-9740
This is a for-profit trade school.

Macomb Community College
14500 E. 12 Mile Road
Warren, MI 48088
(586) 445-7999
This is a public school.

Insurance for Plumbers in Michigan

The plumbing codes in Michigan require that all plumbers have insurance that covers any damage that might occur.

By having insurance, you will get protection if you accidentally break a water line or if one of your workers forgets to turn off the main valve before doing any work.

It is recommended to get at least $200,000 worth of coverage each year.

Salary

Plumbers working in Michigan earn an average wage of $24.70, meaning that the average Plumber salary in Michigan is around $57,428.

Annual Salary Range:

$49K
$57K
$65K

Average Salary of Plumbers in Michigan

City NameSalary
Detroit$58,793
Grand Rapids$55,987
Warren$58,793
Sterling Heights$58,610
Flint$53,231
Lansing$56,182
Ann Arbor$59,625
Livonia$58,610
Dearborn$58,793
Westland$58,980
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Ann Arbor, MI320$73,880$35.52$98,980$40,290
Battle Creek, MI110$64,700$31.11$91,110$38,670
Bay City, MI80$70,860$34.07$99,620$45,610
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI5,740$71,670$34.46$101,400$39,440
Flint, MI650$73,840$35.5$102,540$41,600
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI1,700$68,230$32.8$96,840$38,370
Jackson, MI220$76,770$36.91$106,440$40,890
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI840$73,540$35.36$97,960$45,310
Lansing-East Lansing, MI580$68,830$33.09$97,980$38,770
Midland, MI80$65,450$31.47$107,440$38,800
Monroe, MI170$72,120$34.67$105,540$42,910
Muskegon, MI120$69,630$33.48$97,060$41,850
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI90$64,190$30.86$101,060$37,600
Saginaw, MI230$71,510$34.38$105,280$38,750
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, OCC 47-2152, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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