Plumber/Pipefitter at Wheeling Plumbers J
at Wheeling Plumbers J in Wheeling, WV
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
About This Program
Wheeling Plumbers J offers a registered Plumber/Pipefitter apprenticeship in Wheeling, WV. This non-union, employer-sponsored program provides aspiring plumbers in the upper Ohio Valley region with the structured training needed to enter and advance in the plumbing trade. Apprentices earn wages throughout the program, making it possible to build a career without taking on student debt.
The apprenticeship is five years long and includes 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training combined with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn to install, repair, and maintain water supply and drainage systems, fixtures, and piping in residential and commercial settings. Classroom instruction covers plumbing codes, pipe sizing, blueprint reading, and safety practices applicable to West Virginia job sites.
Completeing the program qualifies graduates for journey-level plumbing work in the Wheeling area and beyond. Skilled plumbers remain in high demand across West Virginia's construction, industrial, and facilities maintenance sectors, and this apprenticeship provides a direct pathway to stable, well-compensated employment.
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.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in West Virginia
Plumber/Pipefitters in West Virginia are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by West Virginia Division of Labor.
View full West Virginialicensing requirements →Reviews
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