Plumber Salary in Mississippi

Key Takeaways

• Mississippi plumbers earn $42,000-$58,000/yr on average.
• The BLS 2024 national median for plumbers is $62,970/yr; Mississippi is below median but has very low cost of living.
• Jackson and Gulfport metro plumbers earn $48,000-$66,000 avg.
• Mississippi requires journeyman and master plumber licenses through the State Board of Contractors.
• Industrial and chemical plant work in the Gulf Coast corridor pays premium wages.
• Mississippi's low cost of living means plumbing wages translate to strong real purchasing power.

Plumber Salary in Mississippi: 2025 Career Guide

Mississippi's plumbing market reflects the state's economy - wages below the national median, but a cost of living so low that real purchasing power is competitive. The Gulf Coast corridor (Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula) offers the highest plumbing wages in the state, driven by industrial, shipbuilding, and casino/hospitality facility work. Jackson, the state capital, is the largest inland market.

This guide covers what plumbers earn in Mississippi, licensing requirements, the highest-paying sectors, and career outlook.

Average Plumber Salary in Mississippi

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, plumbers nationally earned a 2024 median of $62,970 per year. Mississippi wages are below the national median but represent strong value given the state's cost structure.

• Apprentice plumber: $26,000-$36,000/yr
• Journeyman plumber: $42,000-$56,000/yr
• Master plumber: $56,000-$76,000/yr
• Industrial/process plumber (Gulf Coast): $58,000-$82,000/yr
• Plumbing contractor: $70,000-$120,000+ gross

Plumber Salary by City in Mississippi

• Jackson/Hinds County: $46,000-$62,000 avg - largest inland market
• Gulfport/Harrison County: $50,000-$68,000 avg - casino and industrial
• Biloxi: $50,000-$66,000 avg - hospitality sector
• Pascagoula/Jackson County: $54,000-$72,000 avg - shipbuilding corridor
• Hattiesburg: $42,000-$58,000 avg
• Tupelo: $42,000-$56,000 avg - manufacturing market

How Mississippi Compares to Neighbors

• Louisiana: $52,000-$70,000 avg (higher, petrochemical premium)
• Alabama: $46,000-$62,000 avg (slightly higher)
• Tennessee: $52,000-$68,000 avg (higher)
• Arkansas: $44,000-$58,000 avg (comparable)
• Mississippi: $42,000-$58,000 avg

Mississippi Plumber License Requirements

Mississippi licenses plumbers through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors:

• Step 1 - Apprentice work: Work under a licensed journeyman or master plumber while accumulating required hours.
• Step 2 - Journeyman plumber license: 4 years (8,000 hours) of plumbing apprenticeship + pass the Mississippi journeyman exam.
• Step 3 - Master plumber license: Additional year of journeyman experience + master exam.
• Step 4 - Plumbing contractor license: Required to operate a plumbing business in Mississippi.

Highest-Paying Sectors in Mississippi

• Shipbuilding (Pascagoula/Ingalls Shipbuilding): Huntington Ingalls Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula is one of the largest shipbuilders in the US and the dominant employer in Jackson County. The facility employs licensed plumbers and pipefitters for ship construction and maintenance at wages well above the Mississippi average.
• Casino and hospitality (Gulf Coast): Biloxi and Gulfport's casino resort corridor employs commercial plumbers for large-scale facilities maintenance and renovation.
• Industrial and chemical: Chemical and industrial facilities along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast corridor employ process piping specialists.
• Healthcare facilities: University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson) and major regional hospitals employ plumbers for facility maintenance.

Job Outlook for Plumbers in Mississippi

The BLS projects 4% growth for plumbers through 2034, consistent with average. Mississippi's market is modest in size but stable. Gulf Coast development, ongoing shipbuilding contracts at Ingalls, and the state's growing manufacturing sector (particularly in the I-20 corridor) create consistent demand. Mississippi's low cost of living makes it attractive for businesses relocating from higher-cost states, which drives facility construction requiring plumbing work.

The retirement wave is a significant factor in Mississippi's trades - the state has an aging plumber workforce, and experienced licensed plumbers who leave create openings for younger workers to advance quickly.

Is a Plumbing Career Worth It in Mississippi?

For Mississippi residents, plumbing offers one of the most accessible paths to above-median income without a college degree. The state's median household income is among the lowest in the US, which means plumbing wages - even below the national median in absolute terms - place licensed plumbers firmly in the upper half of Mississippi earners.

Master plumbers and plumbing contractors serving the Gulf Coast or Jackson metro can build businesses with strong recurring revenue. Mississippi's low regulatory burden, affordable commercial space, and consistent housing and commercial construction create a workable environment for plumbing entrepreneurs.

Find Plumbing Training in Mississippi

• Hinds Community College (Jackson) - Plumbing Technology
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Plumbing program
• Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Wesson) - Plumbing
• UA Local 568 JATC - Gulf Coast area
• Independent contractor apprenticeship programs statewide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best city in Mississippi for plumbing careers? Pascagoula offers the best wages due to Ingalls Shipbuilding and the industrial corridor. Gulfport/Biloxi offers strong commercial hospitality work. Jackson is the largest volume market.

How does Mississippi's cost of living affect plumbing wages? Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the US by most measures. A journeyman plumber earning $50,000 in Jackson has more real purchasing power than a peer earning $65,000 in Nashville or $80,000 in Atlanta.

Does Ingalls Shipbuilding hire licensed plumbers? Yes. Huntington Ingalls Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula employs licensed plumbers and pipefitters for ship construction. The work is specialized - ship plumbing and piping systems differ from building construction - but the company provides on-the-job training and pays above-average Mississippi wages.

Mississippi Plumbing Business Opportunities

For entrepreneurially-minded master plumbers in Mississippi, the state's business environment is genuinely favorable. Low commercial lease costs, minimal regulatory overhead, and a shortage of plumbing service businesses in many Mississippi markets create openings for skilled operators willing to build a team. Service plumbing businesses in the Jackson metro and Gulf Coast that build maintenance contract revenue can generate strong cash flow.

Mississippi's growing industrial sector along the I-20 and I-55 corridors is attracting manufacturing businesses from higher-cost states. Each new industrial facility requires permanent on-site or contract maintenance plumbing, creating long-term recurring revenue opportunities for plumbing contractors who position themselves for commercial and industrial accounts.