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Being a plumber offers a solid career in Louisiana.
If you are interested in learning more and getting certified, read the article below.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Plumber Job Description and Requirements
- 2 How to Become an Apprentice in Louisiana
- 3 How to get a Journeyman License in Louisiana
- 4 How to get a Master License in Lousiana
- 5 How to get a Plumbing Tradesman License
- 6 Plumber Employment and Salary Information
- 7 Additional Information
- 8 Schools Offering Plumbing Programs in Louisiana
Plumber Job Description and Requirements
In Louisiana, plumbers install, fix, and maintain everything related to water systems.
On a daily basis, there are several job duties to fulfill, which include:
- Reading or drafting blueprints
- Installing the piping system
- Maintaining the water system
- Repairing the system whenever needed
- Ensuring the safety standards
- Meeting building regulations
- Using the appropriate devices to measure or solder
In Louisiana, a plumber can receive the below licenses:
- Apprentice license,
- Journeyman license,
- Master license
How to Become an Apprentice in Louisiana
The first thing to do in starting a plumbing career is becoming an apprentice.
To get an apprentice license, you have to register with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
You can become an apprentice by enrolling in a plumber training program through a trade school.
When searching for the right program, keep in mind that it has to be accredited by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
In Louisiana, an apprentice has to train for at least 3 to 4 years.
You will go to both theory and practice classes where you can improve your plumbing skills.
Some of the plumbing classes you will join are:
- Drafting,
- Mathematics,
- Science,
- Sprinkler installation,
- Pipefitting
- Reading blueprints
Before you can be eligible to train, you need to fulfill some criteria.
To enroll in trade school, you have to:
- Be 16 years old at the minimum
- Have a high-school diploma or a GED
- A driver’s license
- A copy of the birth certificate
- Be a citizen of the US
- School transcripts from your school
- Pass a drug test
- Send in an application form
In order to be qualified to move up in your career, you need at least 144 hours of theory in your apprenticeship program.
Luckily, the training programs in this state can be joined in person but also online.
This is a good option for students who don’t have time to attend class in person.
How to get a Journeyman License in Louisiana
Once you complete your apprenticeship program, you can get the journeyman license.
The journeyman certification enables you to work without supervision.
In Louisiana, you need to meet some criteria before you can get your license.
You will need to:
- Submit an application form
- Submit a $135 application fee along with the application
- Pass the journeyman test with a score of at least $75
- Have 8,000 hours of experience performing plumbing work while supervised by a journeyman
- Have an experience of 5 years or have completed an apprenticeship
The journeyman exam consists of 80 questions that are open book.
The exam has a duration of 3 hours and includes a practical part.
Until your license is issued, you can apply for an Initial License form that costs $50.
For that, you need to submit an Initial License form that costs $75.
You will be able to work as a plumber between the time you apply until you get your exam results.
This form must be sent in with up to 3 months before the exam takes place.
How to get a Master License in Lousiana
The next step as a plumber in Louisiana is applying for a master plumber license.
For this, you have to submit an application and pay a $110 fee
You will also have to take and pass an exam.
While you wait for your master plumber license to be issued, you can apply for an Initial License.
Keep in mind that you can only become a master plumber in Louisana if you already have experience as a journeyman.
How to get a Plumbing Tradesman License
In Louisana, if you want to perform work in one- and two-family homes, you can get a plumbing tradesman license.
Keep in mind that you would only be able to do repairs, but not install water systems.
A tradesman cannot perform any other type of plumbing work even while supervised.
If you want to get this license, you need to be in an apprenticeship program.
You also need to have a hands-on experience of 2 years and 4,000 hours.
Plumber Employment and Salary Information
Usually, the prognosis for plumbers in Louisiana is positive.
Larger regions generally offer better salaries.
You will also receive higher pay if you have some years of plumbing experience.
In Louisiana, apprentices also get paid, but their salary is much lower compared to certified plumbers.
Plumbers in this state have increased career opportunities if they join a union.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $56,945 |
| Baton Rouge | $53,523 |
| Shreveport | $52,924 |
| Metairie | $56,945 |
| Lafayette | $52,888 |
| Lake Charles | $52,163 |
| Bossier City | $52,924 |
| Kenner | $56,914 |
| Monroe | $52,648 |
| Alexandria | $51,001 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 170 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $70,100 | $31,060 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 2,620 | $68,510 | $32.94 | $82,670 | $49,260 |
| Hammond, LA | 100 | $49,760 | $23.92 | $65,440 | $33,760 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 400 | $55,220 | $26.55 | $64,550 | $39,530 |
| Lafayette, LA | 600 | $52,420 | $25.2 | $71,440 | $31,850 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 430 | $63,190 | $30.38 | $75,510 | $40,080 |
| Monroe, LA | 200 | $50,910 | $24.47 | $69,520 | $33,490 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,520 | $58,130 | $27.95 | $72,980 | $39,140 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 640 | $53,110 | $25.53 | $71,970 | $35,660 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information
If you already have a license in the following states, you can get a license in Louisiana by reciprocity:
- Alabama;
- Arkansas;
- California;
- Georgia;
- Kentucky;
- Mississippi;
- Nevada;
- North Carolina;
- Ohio;
- South Carolina;
- Tennessee;
- Texas;
- Utah.
Schools Offering Plumbing Programs in Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| New Orleans Pipe Trades | 2541 N. Arnoult Rd. Ste. 122 Metairie, LA 70002 |
| Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Louisiana | 620 Florida St., Suite 210 Baton Rouge, LA 70801 |
| SOWELA Technical Community College | 3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70615 |
| UA Local 198 Plumbers & Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship | 5655 Greenwell St, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 |
| Acadiana Plumbers Association | 223 Georgette St, Lafayette, LA 70506 |
| Louisiana State University - Alexandria | 8100 Hwy. 71 South Alexandria, LA 71302 US |
| Delgado Community College | 615 City Park Avenue Non-Credit/Continuing Education New Orleans, LA 70119 US |
| MPS Plumbing and Training, LLC | 223 Georgette St. Lafayette, LA 70506 |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Plumber
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Plumbing License by State