Plumber in West Virginia

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

Median annual salary
$49,630
trending_down -21.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, West Virginia.

engineering
1,860

Jobs (WV)

monitoring Strong
+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$200

Est. total cost

schedule
4-5 years (apprenticeship)

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in West Virginia

To become a certified Journeyman Plumber in West Virginia, individuals must be at least 18 years old and complete 8,000 hours of plumbing experience. They must pass the Journeyman Plumber Examination, administered by Prov Exams, and submit an application with a $75 fee to the West Virginia Division of Labor. While there are no formal education prerequisites, a high school diploma or GED is generally recommended, and many pursue vocational training or apprenticeships. West Virginia does not have continuing education requirements for plumbers, and certifications must be renewed annually.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,260
25th percentile $42,700
50th (median) $49,630
75th percentile $68,120
90th (experienced) $81,360

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

checklist West Virginia requirements

Licensing bodyWest Virginia Division of Labor
State license Required
EducationNo formal education requirements, but a high school diploma or GED is generally recommended. Many pursue vocational training or apprenticeships.
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamJourneyman Plumber Examination (administered by Prov Exams) ($60)
Application fee$75
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
NotesMinimum age of 18. Master Plumber requires 12,000 hours of experience. Journeyman Plumber requires 8,000 hours of experience. Plumber-in-Training requires annual renewal for $25. West Virginia does not have continuing education requirements for plumbers.

Source: West Virginia Division of Labor

workspace_premium West Virginia license tiers

West Virginia offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier Hours required
Plumber in Training N/A
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
~$200 investment ÷ $49,630 median salary
  • check_circleWest Virginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a plumber in West Virginia? expand_more
To become a plumber in West Virginia, you need to complete the required education (No formal education requirements, but a high school diploma or GED is generally recommended. Many pursue vocational training or apprenticeships.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Journeyman Plumber Examination (administered by Prov Exams), and submit your application ($75 fee).
Do I need a license to work as a plumber in West Virginia? expand_more
West Virginia mandates state licensure for plumbers. West Virginia Division of Labor oversees the process, which includes passing the Journeyman Plumber Examination (administered by Prov Exams).
What do plumbers earn in West Virginia? expand_more
In West Virginia, the median pay for plumbers comes to $49,630/year. This trails the $62,970 national median by 21%. The range spans from $35,260 at the entry level to $81,360 for top earners.
How expensive is plumber licensing in West Virginia? expand_more
Costs include exam fee ($60) and application fee ($75). The estimated total investment is $200, including education and training.
How quickly can I become a plumber in West Virginia? expand_more
In West Virginia, becoming a plumber generally takes 4-5 years (apprenticeship), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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