Plumber Salary in Mississippi

Key Takeaways

• Plumbers in Mississippi earn a median annual wage of approximately $52,000, with master plumbers and contractors reaching $70,000 or more.
• Jackson, Gulfport, and Biloxi are the highest-paying markets in the state.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth in plumber employment nationally through 2033.
• Mississippi requires a journeyman plumber license through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
• The Gulf Coast casino and hospitality industry creates specialized commercial plumbing demand in coastal markets.
• UA Local 568 and independent contractor training programs are the primary pathways to a plumbing career in Mississippi.

Plumber Salary in Mississippi: Earnings, Licensing, and Career Paths in the Magnolia State

Mississippi is not among the highest-paying states for plumbers, but it offers a genuine trade career with solid earning potential relative to the state's cost of living. The state's economy spans agriculture, food processing, healthcare, manufacturing, and the Gulf Coast tourism and gaming industry - all of which generate consistent plumbing installation and maintenance work. Population growth in the Jackson metro and along the Gulf Coast corridor keeps residential and commercial construction activity moving.

For plumbers in Mississippi, the career path is well-defined: apprenticeship, journeyman licensure, and the option to advance to master and contractor status. This guide covers what plumbers earn at each stage of their careers, how salaries vary across the state, and how to get started in the trade.

Average Plumber Salary in Mississippi

According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, plumbers in Mississippi earn a median annual salary of approximately $52,000. While lower than national or coastal state averages, Mississippi wages are competitive relative to the state's cost of living. Here is how salaries break down by experience:

• Plumbing Apprentice (Years 1-2): $26,000 - $33,000 per year. Starting wages reflect entry-level status, with increases at each apprenticeship milestone.
• Plumbing Apprentice (Years 3-5): $36,000 - $46,000 per year. Mid-stage apprentices take on more complex tasks and earn accordingly.
• Journeyman Plumber: $48,000 - $62,000 per year. Licensed journeymen in Mississippi can work independently and earn solidly in most markets.
• Master Plumber: $62,000 - $78,000 per year. Masters command premium wages and can run their own operations.
• Plumbing Contractor / Business Owner: $72,000 - $105,000+ per year. Successful plumbing contractors in Mississippi build profitable businesses serving residential and commercial clients.

Plumber Salary by City in Mississippi

• Jackson: $54,000 - $66,000. The state capital and largest city generates the most consistent commercial and institutional plumbing work.
• Gulfport: $52,000 - $64,000. Gulf Coast construction and casino/hospitality maintenance create steady plumbing demand.
• Biloxi: $52,000 - $65,000. Gaming resort and hotel plumbing maintenance is a major employer on the coast.
• Hattiesburg: $48,000 - $60,000. University town with healthcare facilities driving construction and maintenance work.
• Southaven: $50,000 - $62,000. Memphis suburb with strong residential growth and commercial development.
• Tupelo: $46,000 - $57,000. Manufacturing-heavy northeast Mississippi city with industrial plumbing opportunities.
• Meridian: $44,000 - $55,000. Central Mississippi hub with mixed residential and commercial work.

Mississippi vs. Neighboring States

• Mississippi: Median ~$52,000. Lower wages but also lower cost of living than most comparison states.
• Louisiana: Median ~$58,500. Industrial corridor along the Mississippi River drives higher wages.
• Alabama: Median ~$55,000. Similar wage profile to Mississippi with slightly higher wages in Birmingham.
• Tennessee: Median ~$57,500. Nashville construction boom pushes Tennessee average up.
• Arkansas: Median ~$50,000. Comparable to Mississippi with similar rural/urban dynamics.

Mississippi Plumber License Requirements

Mississippi requires plumbers to be licensed through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Here is the pathway:

• Step 1 - Apprenticeship or Training: Complete a 4-5 year apprenticeship through UA Local 568 or a non-union training program, or accumulate documented plumbing work experience under a licensed master plumber.
• Step 2 - Work Experience Hours: Mississippi requires documented proof of supervised plumbing work experience before qualifying for the journeyman exam.
• Step 3 - Pass Journeyman Exam: The Mississippi State Board of Contractors administers the plumber journeyman exam covering the International Plumbing Code and state requirements.
• Step 4 - Obtain Journeyman License: Submit application, exam results, and experience documentation to the State Board of Contractors.
• Step 5 - Advance to Master Plumber: After 2+ years of journeyman experience, plumbers may sit for the master exam and qualify to pull permits and operate plumbing businesses.

Top Plumbing Specialties in Mississippi

• Commercial / Gaming Facility Plumbing: The Gulf Coast casino resorts - Beau Rivage, IP Casino, Hard Rock - require experienced commercial plumbers for ongoing maintenance of large-scale hospitality plumbing systems.
• Industrial and Chemical Plant Plumbing: The Port of Gulfport and industrial facilities along the Pearl River corridor create industrial pipefitting and plumbing demand.
• Healthcare Plumbing: Hospital construction and renovation in Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport creates steady work for plumbers experienced in medical gas and healthcare-grade piping systems.
• Residential New Construction: Southaven and the Memphis suburbs, along with coastal subdivision development, create consistent residential rough-in and finish plumbing work.
• Agricultural and Food Processing: Mississippi's large food processing industry - chicken processing plants, catfish farms, and food manufacturing - requires specialized plumbing and sanitation piping systems.

Job Outlook for Plumbers in Mississippi

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth in plumber employment nationally through 2033. Mississippi benefits from ongoing commercial construction along the Gulf Coast, healthcare facility development statewide, and infrastructure investment programs targeting rural water systems. Federal infrastructure funding has directed significant resources to Mississippi's aging municipal water and sewer systems, creating specialized project work for licensed plumbers.

Mississippi's Gulf Coast is particularly active as casino and hospitality development continues along the beachfront corridor. Natural disaster recovery cycles - the state has experienced significant hurricane and flooding events - also generate periodic spikes in plumbing repair and reconstruction work. Plumbers who build reputations for quality work in disaster recovery can establish very busy practices in coastal Mississippi.

Is a Plumbing Career in Mississippi Worth It?

For Mississippi residents, plumbing offers one of the more accessible routes to a middle-class income through skilled trade work. While wages are lower than coastal or northern states, Mississippi's cost of living is among the lowest in the nation. A journeyman plumber earning $55,000-$62,000 in Jackson or Gulfport is doing well in relative terms - median household income in Mississippi is approximately $52,000, meaning a journeyman plumber earns at or above the state median.

The plumbing business model also works well in Mississippi's market. Master plumbers who start their own contracting businesses in suburban and rural areas often face limited competition, allowing them to build solid client bases and earn contractor-level income of $75,000-$100,000. The combination of a manageable licensing pathway, genuine career advancement potential, and reasonable cost of living makes plumbing a strong career choice for Mississippians.

Where to Find Plumbing Training in Mississippi

• UA Local 568 (United Association): The plumbers and pipefitters union local serving Mississippi runs apprenticeship programs with structured training and strong industry connections.
• Mississippi Contractors Association: Non-union contractor training pathways through the MCA provide apprenticeship and skills training for those preferring open-shop employment.
• Hinds Community College: Jackson-area Hinds CC offers plumbing technology coursework as part of its construction trades programs.
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: MGCCC serves coastal Mississippi students with construction and maintenance trades programs suited to the Gulf Coast employment market.
• Meridian Community College: Central Mississippi students can access plumbing-related technical programs at MCC in Meridian.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license is required to work as a plumber in Mississippi? Mississippi requires a journeyman plumber license to work independently on plumbing projects and a master plumber license to pull permits and operate a plumbing contracting business. Both are issued by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors after passing required exams and meeting experience documentation requirements.

How long does it take to become a journeyman plumber in Mississippi? Most plumbers in Mississippi complete their training through a 4-5 year apprenticeship combining on-the-job hours with classroom instruction. After apprenticeship completion and passing the journeyman exam, licensing is granted. Some candidates with prior trade experience may qualify for accelerated pathways.

Are there good plumbing jobs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Yes. The Gulf Coast casino and hospitality industry, ongoing commercial development in Gulfport and Biloxi, and periodic disaster recovery projects create strong demand for licensed plumbers in coastal Mississippi. Gulf Coast plumbers often earn at the higher end of the state wage scale, particularly those who specialize in commercial and hospitality systems maintenance.