Best Plumbing Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: Plumbers in Virginia earn a median of $60,470 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited plumber schools near Portsmouth, Virginia with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Choosing a plumber program near Portsmouth, Virginia comes down to accreditation, schedule, and how each school prepares you for the field. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $60,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Portsmouth Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$60,470BLS OEWS, May 2025
Virginia pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$43,970 to $78,050BLS OEWS, May 2025
Virginia Beach, VA metro median wage$61,870BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+4.5% growth, about 44,000 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Federal prevailing wage in Virginia (Davis-Bacon)$27.19 per hour totalDOL WHD Davis-Bacon, 2026
State employment13,780 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Portsmouth County establishments20BLS QCEW, 2024
Portsmouth County industry employment400BLS QCEW, 2024
Portsmouth County unemployment rate3.8%BLS LAUS, 2024
Virginia location quotient1.12BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Plumber Career

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Portsmouth. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Portsmouth County and Virginia figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Affordable Online Plumbing Programs Now Accepting Students in Portsmouth, Virginia:

Plumbing Training Near Portsmouth

#1

Halifax Community College

Weldon, NC 75.8 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 37.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 30
  • Annual completions: 261
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $45,575 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Pamlico Community College

Grantsboro, NC 125.7 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 23
  • Annual completions: 89
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $32,918 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Polytech Adult Education

Woodside, DE 159.8 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 73.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 252
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $54,607 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Licensing Steps in Virginia

Most plumbers in Virginia follow this pathway:

  1. Complete an approved trade school, community college program, or registered apprenticeship.
  2. Log the required on-the-job training hours under a licensed journeyman or master plumber.
  3. Pass the state-required exams covering the state plumbing code (UPC/IPC), safety, and business rules.

Tips for Choosing a School

  • Tour the lab to see the tools, pipe mockups, and safety gear students use every day.
  • Compare schedules. many Portsmouth programs offer evening, weekend, or accelerated tracks.
  • Confirm the program helps you document hours for state licensing or union apprenticeship applications.

Next Steps

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.