How to Become a Plumber in Virginia (2026)
Virginia employs about 13,780 plumbers earning a median $60,470 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in Virginia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | 67.0 | $9,050 | $57,788 | 71% | — | 221 mi |
| 2 | Polytech Adult Education | 60.8 | Contact school for pricing | $54,607 | 70% | — | 155 mi |
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| 3 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | $2,748 in-state / $8,892 out-of-state | $48,346 | 34% | Yes* | 212 mi |
| 4 | Wake Technical Community College | 55.3 | $2,254 in-state / $6,862 out-of-state | $49,034 | 33% | Yes* | 173 mi |
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| 5 | Pamlico Community College | 52.5 | $1,867 in-state / $6,475 out-of-state | $32,918 | 54% | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 6 | Delaware County Community College | 50.1 | $6,930 in-state / $15,540 out-of-state | $56,647 | 24% | Yes* | 218 mi |
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| 7 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | $2,628 in-state / $8,772 out-of-state | $48,138 | 24% | Yes* | 206 mi |
| 8 | Halifax Community College | 39.6 | $2,608 in-state / $8,752 out-of-state | $45,575 | 35% | — | 96 mi |
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| 9 | Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville | 35.7 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 75% | — | 164 mi |
| 10 | Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville | 31.5 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 78% | — | 202 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
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 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,470 1. Nationally, plumber 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 Plumber in Virginia, including licensing 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
- Licensing authority: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors
- Median wage (Virginia): $60,470 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in Virginia
How to become a Plumber in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Plumbers License. The licensing authority is the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the plumber field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for plumbers 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 Plumber 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; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in Virginia.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors oversees plumber licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumbers License | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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 5.
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]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Virginia
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Virginia earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Virginia general wage determinations show approximately $21.74 per hour in base pay plus $5.45 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $27.19 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
Plumber 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 plumbers in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 13,780 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 plumbers earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Contractors - Licensing Information: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.doli.virginia.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor-list/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |