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We all need plumbers, and plumbers need extensive training to be qualified to perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join this essential workforce, you’ll be glad to know that training is accessible throughout the Mountain state.
The growing demand for plumbers in West Virginia— journeyman plumbers, master plumbers, plumbing contractors — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 4% growth rate for plumbers in West Virginia and 2% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumbing jobs in West Virginia posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited West Virginia Plumber Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn their trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship. Apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training, as well as some technical instruction, each year. Technical instruction includes safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading. Apprentices also study mathematics, applied physics, and chemistry. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by unions, trade associations, and businesses. Most apprentices enter a program directly, but some start out as helpers or complete pre-apprenticeship training programs in plumbing and other trades.”
According to the BLS, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters complete an apprenticeship program and pass the required licensing exam to become journey-level workers. Journey-level plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are qualified to perform tasks independently. Plumbers with several years of plumbing experience who pass another exam earn master status. Some states require master plumber status to obtain a plumbing contractor’s license.
The West Virginia Division of Labor licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — journeyman plumbers, master plumbers, and plumbers in training. Even plumbers in training must be registered with the state. Most people entering the plumbing industry in West Virginia enroll in a plumbing-related training program acquired through career technical education provided by the state’s public schools or an apprenticeship program or an employer-sponsored training program.
The state of West Virginia offers plumbing programs at several institutions. Although a plumbing degree is not required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during their required training. Here's a list of some top West Virginia technical schools that offer plumbing programs:
Putnam Career and Technical Center in Eleanor
Carver Career and Technical Education Center in Charleston
The West Virginia Joint Apprenticeship Programs website keeps an updated list of union plumbing apprenticeship opportunities. The current available apprenticeships are with:
Additionally, some West Virginia businesses provide on-the-job training through apprenticeships or employer-sponsored training programs.
Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education. Other states, like West Virginia, have no plumbing educational requirements to get started, and it may make more sense to simply obtain an entry-level position and receive on-the-job training rather than attending one of the plumber schools.
However, although formal plumbing education isn’t required in West Virginia, sometimes a little technical education can help you compete for apprenticeship opportunities or make you a more attractive hire. Some apprenticeship programs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. There are often classes applicants can take in high school and college to help them prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list. They include trade classes like blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.
Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in West Virginia like:
In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages, but if your interest lies in being a journeyman plumber or getting a master plumber license, a degree is not necessary.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Plumbing programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in plumbing, pipefitting, and related fields. All class instruction combines theory and practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
Among the classes you’ll take are:
Plumbing Fixtures
Gas Piping
Drains, Waste, and Vent Systems
Soldering and Flaring Copper Pipe
Plumbing Tools
Installing and Testing Water Supply Piping
Career Preparation
Students who successfully complete technical college plumbing programs may receive additional certifications and credentials, including:
OSHA 30
NCCER Certifications
Powder Actuated Tools Certification
NOCTI Workforce Competency Credential
IVES Equipment Training
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at West Virginia community colleges on average is $3,610 per year for in-state students and $8,321 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupation. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The length of a pre-apprenticeship plumbing diploma program varies depending on the school and how many credit hours you take per semester. For example, Putnam Career and Technical Center offers both full-time and part-time programs that range from 10 months to 22 months.
There is no specific experience required for plumbers in training to take the journeyman license, but you still must master the information necessary to pass the statewide exam. A journeyman plumber must complete one year of practical experience before taking the master plumber exam.
Benefits
There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. Many employers will choose an applicant with a training program certificate over one without. Those credentials can also give you an edge in the selection process for an apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge of plumbing work helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals.
Online vs. in-person
You may choose to get that jump on plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you.
Penn Foster and Ashworth College are two of the most recognizable online plumbing programs. Bob Vila’s website and the CPA Accounting Institute for Success both list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.
If you know your learning style relies more on personal instruction, the traditional in-person classes and accredited programs listed above are fairly accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing trade in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. Plumbers must learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including: how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems (including water heaters); troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute on remodels or new installations that involve running all water, gas and sewage lines; know how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; understand the plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed. And, of course, especially in residential work, customer service is key.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The training schools listed above are accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans. Let’s take a look at each of the schools.
Putnam Career and Technical Center
Offers a program consisting of 1,080 hours of plumbing classes with a 10-month (one academic year) option as well as a 22-month (two academic years) option
This program participates in the West Virginia Department of Education Simulated Workplace environment.
This is a hands-on program that includes safety, plumbing math, blueprint and job specifications, building codes, pipe-cutting-and-joining skills, rough and trim plumbing, water heaters, and storm drains, preparing students for National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Certification.
Carver Career and Technical Education Center
Offers a two-year course of study
Students who successfully complete the program receive certification from Carver Community and Technical Education Center, International Code Council (ICC) Certification, and the OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety and Health Card.
This program is designed to provide knowledge and skills necessary to assemble, install and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures of heating, water, and drainage systems.
Steps for Enrollment in West Virginia
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Plumbing Career Requirements in West Virginia
The West Virginia Division of Labor is the licensing agency for plumbers in West Virginia. As mentioned earlier, West Virginia has no formal education requirements to obtain a plumbing license. You will need to obtain a Plumber in Training license with the West Virginia Division of Labor before beginning work under the direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyman plumber, then you can apply to take your journeyman plumber license exam. You must complete one year as a journeyman plumber before taking the master plumber licensing exam.
If you choose to own your own business, you’ll have to take and pass both the business and law exam and the plumbing contractor trade examinations, as well. You must submit an application and pass with a score of at least 70%. Licenses expire every year, and each level of licensing requires an initial fee and then that same amount to renew every year. The West Virginia Division of Labor offers reciprocity agreements to licensed plumbers in Tennessee and Ohio. For a detailed explanation of West Virginia’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your West Virginia Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in West Virginia
Before paying for technical education and getting started in the plumbing field, you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in West Virginia? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in West Virginia for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $43,600
Intermediate 2-4 years: $52,800
Senior 4-6 years: $56,900
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
While there are no apprenticeship requirements for plumbing specialty licenses in West Virginia, several apprenticeship opportunities do exist, and are a great way to jumpstart your career and get a leg up on the competition. Most union or trade association apprenticeships will combine hands-on training with classroom instruction and usually take four to five years. Or, you could simply take an entry-level position with a plumbing contractor to learn the ropes. Most require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better.
The West Virginia Joint Apprenticeship Programs website keeps an updated list of union plumbing apprenticeship opportunities. West Virginia has 6 local chapters of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters offering plumbing apprenticeships, including the Huntington PHCC Contractors Association And Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 521, the Morgantown Plumbers Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JATC), the Charleston JATC of Plumbers & Pipefitters, the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local #83, the Parkersburg Plumbers Joint Apprenticeship, and the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 486.
Other School Options
We’ve highlighted many trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeships thus far. There are multiple programs throughout the state to get the training you need to be a plumber in West Virginia. In addition to all those already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring states.
Virginia Technical Institute in Altavista, VA
Mon-Yough Plumbing Apprentice School in Monroeville, PA
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in West Virginia. The opportunities are all around you.
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