Pipefitter in Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Virginia employs 13,780 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $60,470 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Virginia (May 2025)

Virginia median pay: $60,470 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,970
Experienced (75th percentile): $71,780
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,050
Employed in Virginia: 13,780
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pipefitters in major Virginia markets:

Washington DC metro: $71,860 (9,420 employed)
Virginia Beach–Norfolk: $61,870 (5,100 employed)
Richmond: $61,480 (2,340 employed)
Lynchburg: $57,210 (330 employed)
Charlottesville: $56,510 (240 employed)
Roanoke: $51,700 (560 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia

Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,470 median is worth closer to $59,812 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)

Virginia is projected to grow pipefitters employment +5.5%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,160 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Virginia License and Certification Requirements

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential) — regulated by the No Virginia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential.

Virginia does not issue an individual pipefitter or steamfitter mechanic license separate from the plumbing license. The entry path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 5 years, 10,000 OJT hours, covering piping systems, steam, hydronics, process piping, welding, and rigging.
Pipefitters specialize in high-pressure systems — steam, chemical process piping, HVAC hydronic distribution, and refrigeration piping — distinct from residential plumbing. Apprentices earn wages from day one at roughly 50% of journeyman scale, stepping up annually.
Apply to the local UA pipefitter/steamfitter JATC. Work sites include power plants, refineries, industrial plants, large commercial HVAC projects, and hospitals. Journeymen with welding certifications (ASME, AWS) command premium wages.

Official requirements: No Virginia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in Virginia

Contact UA Local 5 (DC/NoVA area), Local 110 (Richmond), Local 540 (Hampton Roads) to apply for the pipefitter/steamfitter apprenticeship. Some states and cities (notably NYC and Chicago) have additional local licensing for steamfitters — check with your local JATC for any city-level requirements in Virginia.

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want strong union wages and enjoy precision mechanical work in industrial or commercial settings.

Think twice if: Industrial job sites, confined spaces, and working with high-pressure systems sound dangerous rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

First Steps

Contact UA (United Association) Local pipefitter apprenticeship programs in your area — separate from plumber apprenticeships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pipefitters make in Virginia?

The median wage for pipefitters in Virginia is $60,470 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,970, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,050. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pipefitter in Virginia?

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential), overseen by the No Virginia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential. Virginia does not issue an individual pipefitter or steamfitter mechanic license separate from the plumbing license. The entry path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 5 years, 10,000 OJT hours, covering piping systems, steam, hydronics, process piping, welding, and rigging.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Virginia?

Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

Which Virginia metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Virginia metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $71,860, followed by Virginia Beach–Norfolk ($61,870), Richmond ($61,480). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Virginia?

Virginia projects pipefitters employment to change +5.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,160 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Virginia state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Virginia wages · Virginia licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.