Plumber/Pipefitter at Oregon/S.W. Washington/N.W. California Plumbers and Steamfitters JATC
at Oregon/S.W. Washington/N.W. California Plumbers and Steamfitters JATC in Tualatin, OR
About This Program
The Oregon/S.W. Washington/N.W. California Plumbers and Steamfitters JATC offers a union plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship based in Tualatin, Oregon. This multi-state JATC program trains plumbers and steamfitters to work across a wide regional jurisdiction, preparing them for careers in commercial, industrial, and mechanical systems construction.
The five-year apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain experience with plumbing, hydronic heating, steam, and process piping systems while working under journeyman supervision on live projects. Classroom training addresses piping codes, welding, pipe materials, system design basics, and safety regulations.
Graduating apprentices earn journeyman credentials valid across a broad tri-state region. Union membership through this JATC provides access to progressive wages during training and full union benefits upon reaching journeyman status, supporting both career growth and financial security in the building trades.
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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