Plumber/Pipefitter at Steamfitters Local Union 420 - JPATC
at Steamfitters Local Union 420 - JPATC in Philadelphia, PA
About This Program
Steamfitters Local Union 420 – JPATC sponsors this union plumber/pipefitter apprenticeship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This JATC-affiliated program trains the next generation of steamfitters for technical, high-demand work across commercial, industrial, and large-scale institutional construction projects in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
The five-year apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Under journeyman supervision, apprentices develop skills across a range of piping systems including HVAC, steam, hydronic heating, and process piping. Technical coursework covers welding, rigging, blueprint reading, pipe fabrication, safety standards, and applicable codes.
Graduates earn journeyman steamfitter credentials and become full members of Local Union 420. Union membership provides progressive wage increases throughout the apprenticeship and access to health, pension, and other collectively bargained benefits upon achieving journeyman status — building a secure and skilled career in Philadelphia's 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.
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
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