Plumber
Install, maintain, and repair the water, drain, gas, and waste systems that keep homes, restaurants, hospitals, and offices running. Plumbing is the most common of the pipe trades — and one of the most reliably hiring.
Plumber goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Plumber trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Plumbers run water supply, drain, waste, and vent (DWV) lines and install fixtures — toilets, sinks, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines. Service plumbers spend most days troubleshooting leaks, clogs, and broken fixtures in occupied homes and businesses; new-construction plumbers rough in entire systems before walls close.
Specializations diverge fast. A Residential Plumber works in occupied homes — service calls, fixture replacements, drain cleaning. A Commercial Plumber handles restaurants, hotels, and office buildings with larger waste systems and grease management. A Service Plumber runs a truck and a route. A Master Plumber holds the state license that lets a shop pull permits.
Most plumbers work for service companies, mechanical contractors, or as one- or two-truck operators. The work is hands-on, often requires crawling under sinks or into crawl spaces, and rewards anyone who likes solving puzzles in tight spots.
How you move up as a Plumber
Progression follows the United Association (UA) plumber apprenticeship plus state journeyman/master licensure. UA locals serving the four states: Local 5 (DC), Local 10 (Richmond VA), Local 110 (Norfolk VA), Local 486 (Baltimore MD), and Local 421 (NC + SC). BLS OES 47-2152, May 2024.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Plumbers earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2024 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Core craft + supporting skills
Pulled from your taxonomy. Core skills (orange) are required for the Plumber trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Plumber trade
UA Local Apprenticeship
Paid program through United Association locals. Local 5 (DC), Local 10 (Richmond VA), Local 110 (Norfolk VA), Local 486 (MD), Local 421 (NC).
ABC / Open-Shop Apprenticeship
Associated Builders & Contractors runs DOL-Registered plumbing apprenticeships at non-union contractors. ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, ABC Greater Baltimore.
Community College Plumbing Programs
Tidewater CC Skilled Trades Academy (VA), UDC-CC Workforce Development (DC), Prince George's CC NCCER Plumbing (MD), Cape Fear CC Plumbing & Pipefitting Apprenticeship (NC). Many are Pell-eligible.
Certifications that help
NCCER Plumbing Levels 1–4, OSHA 10 (entry) / OSHA 30 (lead), backflow prevention (ASSE 5110), medical gas installer (ASSE 6010 — for hospital work), state journeyman/master plumbing license.
Common pathways into Plumber work
KinTrades welcomes Plumber workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Army 12K Plumber, Navy Hull Maintenance Technician (HT), Air Force 3E4X1 Water & Fuel Systems, and Seabee construction battalions all crosswalk into UA plumber apprenticeships.
Helmets to Hardhats connects transitioning service members directly to UA + ABC apprenticeships; UA VIP (Veterans in Piping) offers accelerated entry.
The GI Bill covers state journeyman/master licensing exam fees and apprenticeship books.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
High school seniors can apply to UA plumber apprenticeships during their senior year — programs start at age 18 with a HS diploma or GED.
Plumbing is one of the most common HS career-technical-education programs in VA, MD, and NC.
FastForward VA covers tuition for VA students; Pell-eligible CC pre-apprenticeships at Prince George's CC and Cape Fear CC bridge non-CTE grads.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Plumbing is among the trades on KinTrades where employers actively hire workers with records — especially independent service-shop owners who hire on skill and reliability.
UA Locals 5, 10, 110, 486, and 421 admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis; many ABC contractors and most service-plumbing shops do not require background checks for entry-level positions.
Second-chance hiringIf Plumber interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming a Plumber
What does a Plumber do?
Plumbers run water supply, drain, waste, and vent (DWV) lines and install fixtures — toilets, sinks, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines. Service plumbers spend most days troubleshooting leaks, clogs, and broken fixtures in occupied homes and businesses; new-construction plumbers rough in entire systems before walls close.
What does a Plumber make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024, Plumbers earn an annual median of $66K in Virginia (range $54K–$82K), $84K in DC ($68K–$104K), $76K in Maryland ($60K–$96K), and $58K in North Carolina ($48K–$74K).
How do you become a Plumber?
UA Local Apprenticeship: Paid program through United Association locals. Local 5 (DC), Local 10 (Richmond VA), Local 110 (Norfolk VA), Local 486 (MD), Local 421 (NC).
How long is Plumber apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
4–5 years through the UA program or merit-shop equivalent. Ends with state journeyman exam. Progression follows the United Association (UA) plumber apprenticeship plus state journeyman/master licensure. UA locals serving the four states: Local 5 (DC), Local 10 (Richmond VA), Local 110 (Norfolk VA), Local 486 (Baltimore MD), and Local 421 (NC + SC).
Is Plumber a good career path for someone with a record?
Plumbing is among the trades on KinTrades where employers actively hire workers with records — especially independent service-shop owners who hire on skill and reliability. UA Locals 5, 10, 110, 486, and 421 admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis; many ABC contractors and most service-plumbing shops do not require background checks for entry-level positions.