Plumber/Pipefitter at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 486 JATC
at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 486 JATC in Rosedale, MD
About This Program
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 486 JATC, located in Rosedale, Maryland, sponsors a union plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship serving the greater Baltimore area. This JATC program trains apprentices through a combination of supervised job site work and classroom instruction aligned with United Association standards. All apprentices are compensated while they train.
The five-year program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside journey-level plumbers and steamfitters on commercial, residential, and industrial projects, learning pipe installation, fitting, and system maintenance. Classroom instruction covers Maryland plumbing codes, safety regulations, pipe materials, blueprint reading, and mechanical system concepts.
Graduates earn journey-level status and become full members of Local 486, gaining access to union-negotiated wages and benefits as well as placement opportunities through the local's contractor network across the Baltimore metropolitan area.
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 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
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