Plumber/Pipefitter at Area II Plumbers JATC
at Area II Plumbers JATC in Salem, OR
About This Program
Area II Plumbers JATC sponsors this union plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship in Salem, Oregon. As a JATC-run program, it delivers a well-structured combination of field training and classroom education for those pursuing a career in the plumbing and pipefitting trades in the Salem area.
The apprenticeship lasts five years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices are placed with union signatory contractors, where they work alongside journeymen to install, repair, and maintain plumbing and piping systems. Technical classes cover water and drainage systems, piping materials, code compliance, safety, and construction math and drawings.
Graduates complete the program as journeyman plumbers recognized throughout Oregon and beyond. Union membership provides apprentices with wages that step up with each year of progression, along with health coverage and retirement benefits — making the Area II Plumbers JATC a compelling starting point for a skilled trades career.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Plumber Career Outlook
National Median
$30.46/hr
~$63,356.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency regulations and green building standards are creating additional demand for skilled plumbers. The trade consistently ranks among the hardest positions for employers to fill, indicating strong job security.
What to Expect as a Plumber/Pipefitter Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Oregon
Plumber/Pipefitters in Oregon are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Oregon Building Codes Division.
View full Oregonlicensing requirements →Reviews
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