How to Become a Pipefitter in West Virginia (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

West Virginia employs about 1,830 pipefitters earning a median $56,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in West Virginia.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in West Virginia

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
173.8Contact school for pricing$40,44480%Yes*170 mi
264.8Contact school for pricing$32,93181%—165 mi
361.2Contact school for pricing$42,57379%—60 mi
458.9Contact school for pricing$44,75474%—121 mi
556.1Contact school for pricing$52,68128%Yes*129 mi
655.7Contact school for pricing$47,99053%Yes*182 mi
752.9Contact school for pricing$48,62531%Yes*187 mi
852.5Contact school for pricing$42,97054%Yes*137 mi
950.8Contact school for pricing$44,41069%—158 mi
1049.1Contact school for pricing$49,18728%Yes*142 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.

West Virginia employs approximately 1,830 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,980 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 West 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 (West Virginia): $56,980 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in West Virginia

How to become a Pipefitter in West Virginia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in West 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 West Virginia? The median annual wage for pipefitters in West Virginia is $56,980 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,010 and experienced professionals can earn $83,160 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in West Virginia

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most West Virginia training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in West Virginia that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in West Virginia.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in West 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 West Virginia

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. West Virginia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: West Virginia Community and Technical College System
  • Address: 1018 Kanawha Blvd E., Charleston, WV 25301
  • Phone: (304) 558-0265
  • Email: [email protected]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria9,420$71,860$75,090$47,480$114,400
Huntington-Ashland460$62,160$64,940$39,010$86,840
Charleston260$58,940$59,220$37,310$83,800
Hagerstown-Martinsburg250$55,130$58,480$37,530$87,880
Winchester160$57,760$57,490$40,110$73,930
Morgantown160$58,780$59,170$35,610$83,910
Wheeling150$64,060$67,670$39,450$92,980
Weirton-Steubenville100$64,100$63,050$37,420$85,830
Beckley60$50,140$56,800$34,960$82,160
Parkersburg-Vienna50$49,580$55,260$36,080$77,840

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,830 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in West Virginia. You can also contact the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do pipefitters earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in West Virginia is $56,980, which is $5,990 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In West Virginia

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships: https://workforcewv.org/images/files/job-seekers/REGISTERED_STATEWIDE_APPRENTICESHIP_SPONSORS.pdf ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)