Plumber/Pipefitter at Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC, Mahoning Valley
at Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC, Mahoning Valley in Youngstown, OH
About This Program
Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC Mahoning Valley offers a union Plumber/Pipefitter Apprenticeship based in Youngstown, OH. This Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program serves the Mahoning Valley region of Northeast Ohio, jointly administered by labor and employer stakeholders to deliver structured, paid apprenticeship training in the plumbing and pipefitting trades. Apprentices earn wages throughout the five-year program while developing the skills needed for a journeyman career.
The program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on job sites throughout the Mahoning Valley, gaining supervised experience with plumbing system installation, industrial and commercial pipefitting, equipment connections, and system testing. Classroom instruction covers Ohio plumbing codes, safety standards, trade mathematics, blueprint reading, and pipe system design principles relevant to the range of projects encountered in the region.
Graduates earn journeyman credentials and full union membership, typically with access to negotiated wages, healthcare, and pension benefits. The Mahoning Valley's industrial heritage and ongoing commercial construction provide a steady market for qualified journeyman plumbers and pipefitters, and the JATC program in Youngstown is a well-established pathway into that workforce.
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 Ohio
Plumber/Pipefitters in Ohio are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
View full Ohiolicensing requirements →Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.