Plumber in Virginia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$59,560

trending_down -5.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

13,190

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$300

Est. total cost

schedule

4+ years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Virginia

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Virginia, individuals must be at least 18 years old and meet specific combinations of practical experience and vocational training, such as four years of practical experience and 240 hours of vocational training. After meeting the prerequisites and receiving approval from the Virginia Board for Contractors, applicants must pass the Virginia Journeyman Plumber Examination, which costs $100, and pay a $130 application fee. Master Plumbers need one year of experience as a licensed Journeyman or 10 years of practical experience. Licenses must be renewed every three years, requiring three hours of continuing education per cycle. Virginia has an examination agreement with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) for plumbers and offers Universal License Recognition for qualified out-of-state licensees.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $41,050

25th percentile $48,260

50th (median) $59,560

75th percentile $66,830

90th (experienced) $76,650

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	Virginia Board for Contractors
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a vocational training program or apprenticeship, or an associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field with practical experience. Specific hour and year combinations vary.
Exam	Virginia Journeyman Plumber Examination ($100)
Application fee	$130
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	3.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18 years old. Journeyman Plumber requires a combination of practical experience and vocational training (e.g., 4 years practical/240 hours vocational, or 10 years practical experience). Master Plumber requires 1 year of experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber or 10 years of practical experience. If performing work over $1,000, a Virginia Contractor's License is also required.

Source: Virginia Board for Contractors

workspace_premium Virginia license tiers

Virginia offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman	8,000
Master	10,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$300 investment ÷ $59,560 median salary

check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a plumber in Virginia? expand_more

The path to plumber licensure in Virginia: complete the required education (Completion of a vocational training program or apprenticeship, or an associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field with practical experience. Specific hour and year combinations vary.), pass the Virginia Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($130 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Virginia? expand_more

You cannot practice as a plumber in Virginia without a state license from Virginia Board for Contractors. The required exam is the Virginia Journeyman Plumber Examination.

What is the average plumber salary in Virginia? expand_more

The median plumber salary in Virginia is $59,560 per year. This trails the $62,970 national median by 5%. New plumbers start around $41,050; seasoned professionals can reach $76,650.

What are the fees to become a plumber in Virginia? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($100) and application fee ($130). The estimated total investment is $300, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become a plumber in Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, becoming a plumber generally takes 4+ years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Virginia? expand_more

Yes — plumbers in Virginia must complete 3.0 CE hours every 3.0 years to stay licensed.