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

Skilled trades

West Virginia employs 1,830 plumbers, with a statewide median of $56,980 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact West Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in West Virginia (May 2025)

West Virginia median pay: $56,980 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $36,010
Experienced (75th percentile): $73,700
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,160
Employed in West Virginia: 1,830
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Washington: $71,860 (9,420 employed)
Huntington: $62,160 (460 employed)
Charleston: $58,940 (260 employed)
Morgantown: $58,780 (160 employed)
Winchester: $57,760 (160 employed)
Hagerstown: $55,130 (250 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in West Virginia

Prices in West Virginia run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $56,980 median stretches to roughly $63,665 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in West Virginia (2024–2034)

West Virginia is projected to grow plumbers employment +12.0%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

West Virginia License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumbing.

Register as a plumber in training and build supervised experience.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to the WV Division of Labor; add a master plumber license to contract independently.

Official requirements: West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumbing →

Training in West Virginia

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. West Virginia licenses plumbers statewide (plumber-in-training through contractor).

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in West Virginia include:

Academy of Careers and Technology — Certificate
BridgeValley Community & Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Carver Career Center — Certificate

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 West Virginia?

The median wage for plumbers in West Virginia is $56,980 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,160. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumbing. Register as a plumber in training and build supervised experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in West Virginia?

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

Which West Virginia metros pay plumbers the most?

Among West Virginia metro areas, Washington leads at $71,860, followed by Huntington ($62,160), Charleston ($58,940). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Plumber in West Virginia?

Real West Virginia options include Academy of Careers and Technology, BridgeValley Community & Technical College, Carver Career Center. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in West Virginia?

West Virginia projects plumbers employment to change +12.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 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), West Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumbing (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 West Virginia wages · West 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.