Plumber in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
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.
Plumber Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Virginia Board for Contractors |
| State License Required | Yes |
| 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
License Tiers
Virginia offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman | 8,000 |
| Master | 10,000 |
Plumber Salary in Virginia
The median plumber salary in Virginia is $59,560 per year, which is 5.4% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,050 |
| 25th | $48,260 |
| 50th (median) | $59,560 |
| 75th | $66,830 |
| 90th (experienced) | $76,650 |
Virginia employs approximately 13,190 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -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.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Virginia Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $300 and a median salary of $59,560 in Virginia, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.