Plumber / Pipefitter Apprenticeships in Virginia
Virginia has 251 registered apprenticeship sponsors training plumber / pipefitters — 6 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
251
Union / joint programs
6
Median plumber / pipefitter wage
$59,560
Virginia, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+3.4%
1,210 openings/yr
Largest Registered Sponsors
Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.
| Sponsor | City | Program type |
|---|---|---|
| BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair Union / joint | NORFOLK | Single Employer |
| JAC PLUMBING, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY - LOCAL 110 Union / joint | Chesapeake | Multiple Employer |
| JAC WASHINGTON DC STEAMFITTERS - LOCAL 602 Union / joint | SPRINGFIELD | Multiple Employer |
| JATC Plumbers and Steamfitters Richmond Virginia - Local 10 Union / joint | Richmond | Multiple Employer |
| Newport News Shipbuilding Union / joint | NEWPORT NEWS | Single Employer |
| Smurfit WestRock Company Union / joint | COVINGTON | Single Employer |
| 1 PLUMBER 4 U | VIRGINIA BEACH | Single Employer |
| A-1 SEWER & DRAIN | VIRGINIA BEACH | Single Employer |
| A-Able Plumbing, Inc. | Broadway | Single Employer |
| ABM | Alexandria | Single Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Plumber / Pipefitters Earn in Virginia
Wages
- Median annual wage: $59,560
- Average annual wage: $58,820
- Plumber / Pipefitters employed statewide: 13,190
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.
10-year outlook
- Projected growth 2022–2032: +3.4%
- Average openings per year: 1,210
- Employment: 13,420 → 13,880
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.
Prefer the school route? Compare Plumber / Pipefitter programs
Virginia Licensing for Plumber / Pipefitters
Plumbers License
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Source: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor). Time spent in a registered apprenticeship generally counts toward license experience requirements.