Plumbing contractors in
St Louis, Missouri.
A public directory of plumbing contractor businesses serving greater St Louis. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
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Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Missouri requires plumbers to be licensed by the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation (DPR). License types: Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber. Journeyman requires 5 years documented apprenticeship (10,000 hours) under a licensed master, or equivalent, plus passage of the Missouri Plumbing Exam covering code, safety, and technical skills. Master Plumber requires additional 2 years experience and higher-level exam. Licenses renew every 2 years with 15 continuing education hours (varies by category). Exams administered by Pearson VUE. Application processing: 4-6 weeks.
Permit Requirements
City of St. Louis and St. Louis County require permits for most plumbing work over $500 or involving new installations, water heaters, septic systems, and major repairs. Residential permits issued through local building departments. Commercial work requires separate permitting. Permit fees typically $50-200 depending on scope. Handyman exemption does not apply to plumbing in most jurisdictions.
Inspection Schedule
Initial rough-in inspection (before walls closed), final inspection after completion. Water heater installations require inspection within 10 days of completion. Septic/drainage work requires inspection at multiple stages. St. Louis city typically schedules within 3-5 business days of request. Failures require corrections and re-inspection (no additional fee for one re-inspection).
Insurance Minimums
Missouri does not mandate specific minimums by statute for plumbers, but industry standard is $300,000 general liability minimum, $1,000,000 preferred. Workers compensation required if employing staff (statutory rate varies by classification). Commercial bonds ($5,000-$10,000) often required for municipal contracts.
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Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 8/17/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Secure apprenticeship placement
Register with a licensed Master Plumber or through an approved apprenticeship program (typically union JATC or contractor-sponsored). Document all training hours (10,000 minimum over 5 years). Apprentice earns wages while training; employer must report hours to DPR quarterly.
Complete 5-year apprenticeship
Work under direct supervision of a licensed master plumber. Track hands-on experience: rough-in work, fixture installation, troubleshooting, code compliance, safety practices. Maintain continuous documentation of hours worked. Most apprentices complete classroom training concurrently (typically 144 hours/year through community colleges or trade schools).
Document apprenticeship hours
Collect signed affidavits from your master plumber supervisor confirming 10,000 documented hours. Submit to Missouri DPR with your application. Hours must span 5 calendar years minimum. No shortcuts or equivalent work substitutions without DPR written approval.
Apply for Journeyman Plumber license
Complete DPR Application for Journeyman Plumber (Form available on mo.gov/dpr). Include proof of apprenticeship hours, high school diploma or GED, and application fee ($50-75). Submit to Division of Professional Regulation, Jefferson City. Processing time 4-6 weeks.
Pass the Missouri Plumbing Exam
Schedule exam through Pearson VUE testing centers. Exam covers Missouri Plumbing Code, National Standard Plumbing Code, safety, math, and troubleshooting (typically 100-150 multiple choice questions, 3-4 hours). Passing score 70%. Schedule after DPR confirms application is complete. Retakes allowed; $75 per attempt.
Receive license and renew biennially
Upon passing exam, DPR issues Journeyman Plumber license (card and certificate). License is valid 2 years. Before expiration, complete 15 continuing education hours and submit renewal application ($50-75 fee). Renew online through mo.gov/dpr. Non-renewal results in license lapse and loss of legal work authority.
About This Market
St. Louis plumbing is a solid, steady market with roughly 1,879 licensed establishments statewide, concentrated in the metro area. Demand is consistent—aging housing stock drives repair work, new construction and renovations fuel installation revenue, and seasonal weather extremes (winter freezes, spring flooding) create emergency call volume. Competition is moderate to heavy in urban core, lighter in suburbs. Costs run reasonable compared to coasts: journeymen average $36/hour (BLS median), and residential emergency calls fetch $150-300, while larger projects (re-piping, water heater replacement) hit $1,200-2,500. Drivers of cost are labor time, material availability, permit complexity, and travel distance. Commercial work and new construction add margin if you're bonded and insured properly.
- Median hourly wage ($36.06/hr, $75,005/yr)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) for Plumbers, current cycle
- Licensed plumbing establishments in Missouri (1,879)U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns (CBP), latest available year, NAICS 4221710 (Plumbing and HVAC contractors)
- Missouri plumbing licensing requirements and exam detailsMissouri Division of Professional Regulation (DPR), Plumbers and HVAC Technicians licensing board; mo.gov/dpr
- St. Louis city and county permit requirements and feesCity of St. Louis Building Division and St. Louis County Building and Permits Department
- Inspection schedules and turnaround timesCity of St. Louis and St. Louis County Building Inspection departments, public scheduling systems
- Insurance and bonding standardsMissouri Plumbing Contractors Association, industry best practices, and commercial customer requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a plumber in St. Louis?
Service calls range $150-300 for basic repairs (drain cleaning, toilet fixes, faucet work). Major jobs are higher: water heater replacement $1,200-2,500, pipe re-piping $8-25 per linear foot, sump pump installation $800-1,800. Costs depend on complexity, materials, travel time, and whether permits/inspections are required. Emergency after-hours calls carry 1.5x-2x markup. Get 2-3 written quotes before committing.
What license do I need to work as a plumber in Missouri?
Missouri requires Journeyman or Master Plumber licensure through the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR). Journeyman requires 5 years (10,000 documented hours) apprenticeship under a licensed master, then pass the Missouri Plumbing Exam. Master Plumber requires additional 2 years experience and a higher exam score. Licenses renew every 2 years with 15 continuing education hours. Unlicensed plumbing work violates state law and voids liability protection.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in St. Louis?
Yes. City of St. Louis and St. Louis County require permits for water heater replacement, new installations, major repairs, and any work exceeding $500. Residential permits ($50-200 depending on scope) are issued through the local building department. Commercial work requires separate commercial permits. No handyman exemption applies to plumbing. Work without permits risks fines, failed inspections, and liability issues.
How long does it take to get a plumbing license in Missouri?
Total timeline: 5 years for apprenticeship (10,000 documented hours under a master), then 4-6 weeks for application processing and exam scheduling through DPR. Exam itself is one sitting. After passing, license is issued immediately. Master Plumber adds 2 more years to the timeline. Apprenticeship hours can be earned while working; accelerated programs don't exist in Missouri.
What is the average plumber salary in St. Louis?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for plumbers is $36.06/hour, or approximately $75,005 annually. Wages vary by experience (apprentices earn 40-50% of journeyman rate), specialization (commercial/industrial higher), and employment type (union vs. non-union). Self-employed plumbers with established client bases typically earn above median.
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