How to Become A Plumber in West Virginia
West Virginia employs approximately 1,830 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,980 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 West Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in West Virginia
How do I become a plumber in West Virginia? West Virginia requires credentials such as Plumber License. The licensing authority is the CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for plumbers 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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD
- Median wage (West Virginia): $56,980 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in West Virginia
The CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD oversees plumber licensing in West Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Plumber License | West Virginia Law requires the certification of plumbers. Effective January 1, 2009, no plumber may perform or offer to perform plumbing work in West Virginia without a plumber license issued by the W… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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 5.
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]
Plumber 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 (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in West 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 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 460 | $62,160 | $64,940 | $39,010 | $86,840 |
| Charleston | 260 | $58,940 | $59,220 | $37,310 | $83,800 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 250 | $55,130 | $58,480 | $37,530 | $87,880 |
| Winchester | 160 | $57,760 | $57,490 | $40,110 | $73,930 |
| Morgantown | 160 | $58,780 | $59,170 | $35,610 | $83,910 |
| Wheeling | 150 | $64,060 | $67,670 | $39,450 | $92,980 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 100 | $64,100 | $63,050 | $37,420 | $85,830 |
| Beckley | 60 | $50,140 | $56,800 | $34,960 | $82,160 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | 50 | $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 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in West Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within West Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland | 460 | $62,160 |
| Charleston | 260 | $58,940 |
| Morgantown | 160 | $58,780 |
| Wheeling | 150 | $64,060 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 100 | $64,100 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in West Virginia
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in West Virginia earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent West Virginia general wage determinations show approximately $36.58 per hour in base pay plus $24.58 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $61.16 (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,830 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 accredited programs in West Virginia. You can also contact the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in West Virginia is $56,980, which is $5,990 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD - Licensing Information: https://labor.wv.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships: https://workforcewv.org/images/files/job-seekers/REGISTERED_STATEWIDE_APPRENTICESHIP_SPONSORS.pdf ↩︎
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) |