Plumber Salary in Virginia 2026:
$61,400 Average ($29.52/hr)
Updated 17 April 2026
Virginia plumbers earn $1,570 below the national median of $62,970. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Virginia Median
$61,400/yr
Hourly Rate
$29.52/hr
vs National
$-1,570
Top 10% Earn
$92,800+
Where Virginia Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#21
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
101
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$60,792
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) | $72,400 |
| Richmond Metro | $60,800 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk | $56,800 |
| Charlottesville Metro | $58,400 |
| Roanoke Metro | $54,200 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Metropolitan Area data. Figures are estimates based on available MSA data.
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)