Plumbing & Pipe Trades
The trades that move water, gas, steam, and chemicals through homes, factories, hospitals, and power plants. Every building you walk into runs on this work.
Three trades. Same toolkit, different systems.
Plumbing, Pipefitting, and Fire Sprinkler work all involve pipe — but the codes, pressures, and materials differ. Each role below is a distinct license track on KinTrades. Tap one to go deeper.
Plumber
8 job-title variantsInstall, maintain, and repair water, drain, gas, and waste systems in homes and commercial buildings. The most common pipe trade.
Pipefitter
6 job-title variants · includes SteamfitterHigh-pressure piping for industrial, process, and power-generation systems. Steamfitters, Process Pipefitters, and Industrial Pipefitters all live here.
Fire Sprinkler Technician
5 job-title variantsInstall, inspect, and maintain fire sprinkler and standpipe systems. NICET-certified work governed by NFPA 13 / 25 codes.
Apply across all three roles
Most certifications, apprenticeships, and financial aid in this family work for all three roles. Pick a role above for the specifics; the resources below transfer.
UA Local Apprenticeships
United Association 5-year apprenticeships covering all three pipe trades. Locals serving the four states: 10 (Richmond VA), 110 (Norfolk VA), 5 (DC plumbers), Steamfitters 602 (DC), 486 (MD), 421 (NC).
Find a local →OSHA 10 / 30
OSHA 10 is entry-level safety; OSHA 30 is required for foremen and supervisors. Both transfer to all pipe trades.
See course providers →State Plumber's License (VA / DC / MD / NC)
Each state issues its own journeyworker and master plumbing licenses. Pipefitters and sprinkler techs may also need state licensure.
VA DPOR →FastForward (Virginia)
Pell-eligible short-term credential program. Pipefitting and plumbing prep tracks at multiple Virginia community colleges.
FastForward catalog →NCCER Pipefitter / Plumber
National Center for Construction Education and Research credentials Levels 1–4. Recognized by signatory and open-shop contractors.
NCCER credentials →NICET (Sprinkler-specific)
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. Required for fire sprinkler design and inspection work.
NICET catalog →Common pathways into Plumbing & Pipe Trades
KinTrades welcomes workers across all three roles in this family — veterans transitioning out of service, students planning a career, and people returning to work after time away.
Veterans
All three pipe trades crosswalk directly from military ratings. Navy HT and DC, Air Force 3E4X1, Seabee construction battalions, and Army 12K Plumber all transfer skills into UA apprenticeships.
Helmets to Hardhats + UA VIP programs offer accelerated entry.
The GI Bill covers most apprenticeship-related fees.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
High school seniors can apply during their senior year — UA apprenticeships start at age 18 and accept HS diploma or GED. NCCER plumbing & pipefitting curriculum is taught at career-technical high schools across all four states; credits transfer into apprenticeship.
Pell-eligible community college pre-apprenticeships (Tidewater CC, Prince George's CC, Cape Fear CC) bridge non-CTE high school grads.
FastForward VA covers tuition for Virginia students.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
UA Locals 10, 110, 486, 421, Steamfitters Local 602, and Local 5 (DC plumbers) admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis.
Many ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, and ABC Greater Baltimore contractors — and most service-plumbing shops — do not require background checks for entry-level positions.
Second-chance hiringCommon questions about Plumbing & Pipe Trades
What trades are in the Plumbing & Pipe Trades family?
Plumbing & Pipe Trades on KinTrades covers 3 roles: Fire Sprinkler Technician, Pipefitter, Plumber. Each is a recognized skilled trade with its own apprenticeship pathway, certifications, and pay band.
How do you get started in Plumbing & Pipe Trades?
The trades that move water, gas, steam, and chemicals through homes, factories, hospitals, and power plants. Every building you walk into runs on this work. Most workers come in via an apprenticeship — usually 2 to 5 years paid OJT plus classroom hours — or through a community-college pre-apprenticeship that feeds into one. Some employers also direct-hire helpers and train on-site.
Is Plumbing & Pipe Trades a good fit for second-chance workers?
UA Locals 10, 110, 486, 421, Steamfitters Local 602, and Local 5 (DC plumbers) admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis. Many ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, and ABC Greater Baltimore contractors — and most service-plumbing shops — do not require background checks for entry-level positions.
Is Plumbing & Pipe Trades a good career path for veterans or high school students?
Veterans: All three pipe trades crosswalk directly from military ratings. Navy HT and DC, Air Force 3E4X1, Seabee construction battalions, and Army 12K Plumber all transfer skills into UA apprenticeships. Helmets to Hardhats + UA VIP programs offer accelerated entry. The GI Bill covers most apprenticeship-related fees. Students: High school seniors can apply during their senior year — UA apprenticeships start at age 18 and accept HS diploma or GED. NCCER plumbing pipefitting curriculum is taught at career-technical high schools across all four states; credits transfer into apprenticeship. Pell-eligible community college pre-apprenticeships (Tidewater CC, Prince George's CC, Cape Fear CC) bridge non-CTE high school grads. FastForward VA covers tuition for Virginia students.