Hiring for plumbing work in New York? Start with the facts that are specific to New York and New York: who licenses the work, how to check a license, where permits come from, and what the local market looks like. Every figure below links to its official source.
Before you hire in New York: a checklist
- New York has no statewide license for this work, so ask which local license or registration the plumber holds and confirm it with the issuing city or county.
- Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage before work starts.
- Confirm who will pull the permit with NYC Department of Buildings and that final inspection is included in the price.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same scope; our plumbing guide covers typical costs, questions to ask and red flags.
Plumbing licensing in New York
New York State does not issue a statewide plumbing license; plumbers are licensed by cities and counties, so homeowners should check with their local government. In New York City, the Department of Buildings licenses master plumbers.
| Who licenses it | No statewide license in New York; cities and counties set the rules |
|---|
Source: nyc.gov, checked November 15, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the agency before you sign a contract.
Building permits in New York
Residential building permits for New York are issued by NYC Department of Buildings. Permits are commonly required for water heaters, gas lines and repiping. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit and book the inspections; a contractor who asks you to pull it yourself is a warning sign.
Official permit office page, checked November 15, 2026.
New York's plumbing market: firms and pay
Census County Business Patterns counted 2,455 business locations with paid employees in New York City (five boroughs) in 2023 in the industry βplumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors,β employing 22,927 people. The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area was $78,610 (May 2025), higher than in most of the 108 metro areas we cover. Local pay levels feed directly into labor rates on quotes.
| Business locations (plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors) in New York City (five boroughs) | 2,455 |
|---|---|
| People employed at those locations | 22,927 |
| Share with fewer than 10 employees | 76% |
| Average annual payroll per employee | $79,400 |
| Median annual wage, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area | $78,610 |
Census counts plumbing and HVAC contractors together in one industry. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 238220; employer establishments only, so self-employed one-person businesses are not counted); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Checked November 15, 2026.
Seasonal notes for New York
Frozen and burst pipes are the signature plumbing risk in New York. Insulate exposed lines, disconnect hoses before winter and keep your main shutoff easy to reach.
Other trades in New York
More New York guides
Plumbing in other cities
AllCityPros is an independent information resource. We do not endorse, rate or vouch for any business, and nothing here is legal or professional advice. Licensing rules change; confirm requirements with the licensing agency before you sign a contract. Business counts and wages are official statistics for the county or metro area, not counts of businesses available to you.