Plumber/Pipefitter at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union N. 486 JATC
at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union N. 486 JATC in Baltimore, MD
About This Program
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 486 JATC offers a union plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship in Baltimore, Maryland. This JATC program trains apprentices across the Baltimore region, combining supervised field work with structured technical education under the standards of the United Association. Apprentices receive pay throughout the program.
The apprenticeship spans five years with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on plumbing and pipefitting systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, learning pipe installation, system testing, and preventive maintenance. Classroom instruction addresses Baltimore and Maryland plumbing codes, safety procedures, pipe materials and joining techniques, and mechanical system design fundamentals.
Graduating apprentices earn journey-level status and full membership in Local 486. Union membership offers collectively bargained wages, health and retirement benefits, and placement opportunities through a network of signatory contractors in the Baltimore-area construction and industrial sectors.
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.
How to Apply
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 Maryland
Plumber/Pipefitters in Maryland are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Maryland Department of Labor, State Board of Plumbing.
View full Marylandlicensing requirements →Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.