How to Become a Pipefitter in Virginia (2026)
Virginia employs about 13,780 pipefitters earning a median $60,470 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Virginia.
Compare Pipefitter Schools in Virginia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | 73.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,444 | 80% | Yes* | 209 mi |
| 2 | Academy of Careers and Technology | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $42,573 | 79% | — | 140 mi |
| 3 | Wake Technical Community College | 55.3 | Contact school for pricing | $49,034 | Not reported | Yes* | 112 mi |
| 4 | Forsyth Technical Community College | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | $48,625 | 31% | Yes* | 121 mi |
| 5 | Pamlico Community College | 52.5 | Contact school for pricing | $32,918 | 50% | Yes* | 184 mi |
| 6 | Westmoreland County Community College | 49.1 | Contact school for pricing | $49,187 | 28% | Yes* | 210 mi |
| 7 | Cleveland Community College | 46.6 | Contact school for pricing | $41,985 | Not reported | Yes* | 208 mi |
| 8 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | Contact school for pricing | $48,138 | 22% | Yes* | 153 mi |
| 9 | Halifax Community College | 39.6 | $2,608 - $16,938 | $45,575 | 38% | — | 84 mi |
| 10 | Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville | 35.7 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 66% | — | 185 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Virginia employs approximately 13,780 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,470 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter in Virginia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Virginia): $60,470 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Virginia
How to become a Pipefitter in Virginia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Virginia.
How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do pipefitters earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Virginia is $60,470 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,970 and experienced professionals can earn $78,050 or more 1.
How to Become a Pipefitter in Virginia
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Virginia training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Virginia that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Virginia.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Virginia, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pipefitter Apprenticeship Information in Virginia
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Virginia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Division of Registered Apprenticeship, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
- Address: 6606 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230
- Phone: (804) 786-6030
- Email: [email protected]
Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 9,420 | $71,860 | $75,090 | $47,480 | $114,400 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 5,100 | $61,870 | $59,280 | $45,720 | $75,410 |
| Richmond | 2,340 | $61,480 | $60,940 | $44,420 | $77,490 |
| Roanoke | 560 | $51,700 | $54,270 | $38,270 | $71,870 |
| Lynchburg | 330 | $57,210 | $56,020 | $39,130 | $72,920 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 290 | $59,360 | $58,780 | $38,210 | $77,370 |
| Charlottesville | 240 | $56,510 | $57,830 | $42,210 | $74,620 |
| Harrisonburg | 240 | $52,290 | $55,630 | $39,710 | $80,120 |
| Winchester | 160 | $57,760 | $57,490 | $40,110 | $73,930 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 110 | $51,250 | $55,060 | $39,720 | $72,460 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | N/A | $53,340 | $58,620 | $42,320 | $80,150 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pipefitters in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 13,780 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Virginia. You can also contact the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do pipefitters earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Virginia is $60,470, which is $2,500 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.doli.virginia.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor-list/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |