Plumber/Pipefitter at Or Sw-Wa Nw-Ca Mtl Trds Pipefitters JATC
at Or Sw-Wa Nw-Ca Mtl Trds Pipefitters JATC in Tualatin, OR
About This Program
The OR/SW-WA/NW-CA Metal Trades Pipefitters JATC sponsors this union plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship based in Tualatin, Oregon. This multi-state Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee program covers a broad geographic footprint, training pipefitters for industrial and commercial work across Oregon, southwest Washington, and northwest California.
The program spans five years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training combined with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices are trained in the installation and maintenance of complex industrial piping systems, including those used for steam, process fluids, and HVAC. Coursework covers pipe fabrication, welding, rigging, blueprint reading, codes, and safety procedures.
Graduates earn journeyman pipefitter credentials and benefit from union membership across a multi-state jurisdiction. The JATC structure ensures progressive wage growth throughout training, and journeyman status opens doors to steady, well-compensated work in the industrial and commercial construction sectors of the Pacific Northwest.
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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