Plumber Salary in Virginia 2026:
$60,470 Average ($29.07/hr)
Updated 19 June 2026
Virginia plumbers earn $3,330 below the national median of $63,800. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Virginia Median
$60,470/yr
Hourly Rate
$29.07/hr
vs National
$-3,330
Top 10% Earn
$78,050+
Where Virginia Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#36
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
101
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$59,871
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Virginia
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) | $71,300 |
| Richmond Metro | $59,900 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk | $55,900 |
| Charlottesville Metro | $57,500 |
| Roanoke Metro | $53,400 |
Metro figures are estimates derived from the BLS OEWS May 2025 state median; actual MSA wages vary.
Pay by Experience Level in Virginia
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Virginia.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $17 - $22/hr | $35,000 - $46,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $23 - $30/hr | $48,000 - $62,000 |
| Journeyman | $30 - $42/hr | $62,000 - $87,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $38 - $52/hr | $79,000 - $108,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $85 - $170/hr billed | $80,000 - $220,000 net |
Virginia Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Virginia, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) - Board for Contractors / Tradesman section
Journeyman Requirement
4 years of OJT plus an approved trade school or apprenticeship + passing the Virginia Journeyman Plumber exam
Master Plumber Requirement
1 year as licensed journeyman + Virginia Master Plumber exam
Reciprocity
Yes; Virginia has reciprocity with several states (Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia) for journeyman level
Exam Fee
$130 exam fee + $90 license fee
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Virginia
UA Local 5 (DC area - serves Northern Virginia), UA Local 110 (Richmond), UA Local 10 (Norfolk). ~28% in NoVA / DC market; ~15% in Richmond and Tidewater.
Union plumbers in Virginia typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Virginia
Virginia's plumbing market is dominated by two distinct economic engines: Northern Virginia's federal-contractor + data-centre cluster, and Richmond / Tidewater's healthcare and military construction. The Data Centre Alley in Loudoun and Prince William counties is the largest data-centre concentration in the world by power consumption and continues to add pipefitter demand at scale. The federal government's facilities footprint (Pentagon, DoD installations, VA hospitals) provides counter-cyclical mechanical work. UA Local 5 packages in the DC area approach NYC and Boston rates due to federal-prevailing-wage projects.
Biggest Employers in Virginia
- +Clark Construction (large in NoVA)
- +Hitt Contracting
- +DPR Construction (data centre focus)
- +Whiting-Turner (Richmond + NoVA)
- +Hourigan Construction (Richmond)