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

Skilled trades

Virginia employs 13,780 plumbers, 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 Plumbers 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 plumbers 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 plumbers 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

Journeyman Plumber → Master Plumber (DPOR Tradesman credentials) — regulated by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Tradesman Program.

Work as an unlicensed plumber's helper under a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber while building your hours — no license required to start.
Journeyman Plumber: 4 years/8,000 hours of qualifying experience (or completion of an approved apprenticeship program) plus passing the Virginia Journeyman Plumber examination through DPOR.
Master Plumber: 1 additional year as a licensed Virginia Journeyman Plumber, then pass the Master Plumber exam. The business (contractor) license is separate and requires the tradesman credential as a qualifier.

Official requirements: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Tradesman Program →

Training in Virginia

UA Local 5 (Washington DC/Northern VA) and UA Local 55 (Hampton Roads) run plumbing apprenticeships that are among the strongest entry paths. Northern Virginia's construction boom and Hampton Roads' military/federal construction create sustained plumbing work across both major metro areas. Richmond and Charlottesville also have active markets tied to healthcare and university construction.

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Virginia?

The median wage for plumbers 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 Plumber in Virginia?

Journeyman Plumber → Master Plumber (DPOR Tradesman credentials), overseen by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Tradesman Program. Work as an unlicensed plumber's helper under a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber while building your hours — no license required to start.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Virginia?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Virginia metros pay plumbers 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 Plumber a growing career in Virginia?

Virginia projects plumbers 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 Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Tradesman Program (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.