In West Virginia, where the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains weaves seamlessly with a heritage rich in resilience and community, the plumbing infrastructure plays a crucial role in orchestrating the daily cadence of our homes, enterprises, and localities.
At the core of this indispensable network are the adept hands of plumbers, skillfully ensuring the ease and well-being integral to our contemporary lives.
Embarking on a career in plumbing within the Mountain State extends beyond the conventional tasks of repairing leaks or installing pipes; it’s a gratifying expedition promising both personal fulfillment and a substantial impact on the local fabric.
In this article, we’ll share with you everything you need to know on how to become a plumber in West Virginia.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Plumber in West Virginia – Step by Step
To begin your plumbing journey in West Virginia you must be at least 18 years old.
You will begin your career path by enrolling in an apprenticeship program.
Most apprenticeships do require you to have a High School Diploma or the GED equivalent, and a valid driver’s license.
You can complete your apprenticeship by:
- enrolling in an approved apprenticeship program
- to work directly under the supervision of an already-licensed plumber, who will be your mentor
- enroll in a community/technical college, vocational school, or a plumber-specific program
As soon as you begin your apprenticeship you must apply for a Plumber in Training license with the West Virginia Division of Labor.
After completing your apprenticeship you will be allowed to apply for one of the licenses the state issues.
West Virginia issues the following plumbing licenses:
- Journeyman Plumber License
- Master Plumber License
Journeyman Plumber License
To apply for the Journeyman Plumber License you must have at least 8,000 hours of experience in the plumbing field.
This equals 4 years of training.
You must submit the application form and pay the $75 application fee.
There is an additional $51.95 examination fee.
The Journeyman plumbing exam consists of 80 questions and has a 3-hour time limit.
These are the topics the exam covers:
- General Knowledge – 8 questions
- Fixtures and Fittings – 5 questions
- Storm Drainage – 5 questions
- Fuel Gas Systems – 8 questions
- Safety – 6 questions
- Isometrics – 7 questions
- Water Supply and Distribution – 11 questions
- Water Heaters – 6 questions
- Draining Waste and Vents Systems – 11 questions
- Plumbing Math – 8 questions
- Plumbing Tools – 5 questions
If you pass the exam you will go on to receive your Journeyman Plumber License.
If you fail the exam you may pay the exam fee and retake the exam as many times as necessary.
Master Plumber License
To apply for the Master Plumber license you must have completed at least 12,000 hours of plumbing or related experience.
This equals 6 years of experience in the trade.
You must submit the application form and pay the $75 application fee.
There is an additional $51.95 examination fee.
The Master Plumbing exam consists of 100 questions and has a 3-hour time limit.
Topics and questions on the exam include:
- General Knowledge – 10 questions
- Fixtures and Fittings – 6 questions
- Storm Drainage – 5 questions
- Fuel Gas Systems – 10 questions
- Safety – 7 questions
- Isometrics – 13 questions
- Water Supply and Distribution – 14 questions
- Water Heaters – 6 questions
- Draining Waste and Vents Systems – 14 questions
- Plumbing Math – 9 questions
- Plumbing Tools – 5 questions
If you pass the exam you will go on to receive your Master Plumber License.
If you fail the exam you may pay the exam fee and retake the exam as many times as necessary.
Plumbing Schools in West Virginia
Becoming a plumber in West Virginia requires time, energy, and devotion, however, the state ensures that its aspiring plumbers get the best schooling and apprenticeship programs on their road to the trade field.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 152
Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 152 offers an apprenticeship program for aspiring plumbers. 
Their five-year program teaches all aspects of the plumbing and pipefitting trades including pipe welding certification, medical gas certification, blueprint reading, plumbing, heating, and cooling.
If you join this apprenticeship program you will learn on the job under the supervision of a journeyman and attend classes two nights a week.
Applicants must be:
- of legal working age
- and have a high school diploma or GED
- A birth certificate
- a valid driver’s license
There is a $20 application fee.
A list of applicants that meet the program’s qualifying requirements will be created.
You can apply again if you’ve already submitted and were rejected.
Apprentices must be hired, selected, employed, and trained without discrimination based on race, creed, age, gender, religion, or country of origin.
To learn more about this, program, how to apply, the classes, and what to expect visit their website.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 152 | 100 Richard Ave, Morgantown, WV 26501, United States |
Salary
Plumbers in West Virginia are paid fairly for their hard work to keep the community’s plumbing systems running smoothly.
Annual wages currently vary anywhere from $42,882 to $72,742.
The current annual average wage around the state is $57,755.
The city with the current highest annual wage is Martinsburg with $71,077.
As in any other state, with a higher certification, and more experience the salary gets higher.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $71,077 |
| Wheeling | $62,791 |
| Morgantown | $62,791 |
| Fairmont | $62,791 |
| Weirton | $62,527 |
| Charleston | $58,423 |
| Beckley | $57,910 |
| Huntington | $57,288 |
| Parkersburg | $56,954 |
| Clarksburg | $56,441 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 60 | $48,950 | $23.53 | $70,300 | $29,260 |
| Charleston, WV | 170 | $56,720 | $27.27 | $78,740 | $37,000 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 340 | $59,330 | $28.53 | $80,440 | $35,850 |
| Morgantown, WV | 100 | $57,010 | $27.41 | $79,760 | $37,480 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 60 | $57,770 | $27.78 | $86,830 | $36,120 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 70 | $65,250 | $31.37 | $95,200 | $37,790 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 140 | $66,290 | $31.87 | $91,140 | $46,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take the plumbing exams in West Virginia?
You can take the plumbing exams in the following cities in West Virginia:
- Charleston
- Martinsburg
- Morgantown
- Wheeling
When should I renew my West Virginia plumbing license?
All plumbing licenses in West Virginia expire annually, the exact expiration date will be written on your license.
Who issues the plumbing licenses in West Virginia?
All plumbing licenses in West Virginia are being issued by the West Virginia Division of Labor.
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