Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Ohio

Wages, programs & career outlook
OH Median Salary
$62,530/yr
-1% vs. national
National Median
$62,970/yr
OH Employment
14,490
Plumber & Pipefitters employed
OH Sponsors
805
Registered programs

Ohio Wage Spread

Annual wages for Plumber & Pipefitters in Ohio across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$40,720
25th %ile
$49,020
Median
$62,530
75th %ile
$82,080
90th %ile
$96,310

Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship in Ohio

Plumber & Pipefitters in Ohio earn $62,530/yr at the median — 30% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

The $62,530 median in Ohio is within striking distance of the $62,970 national figure. Average wages, but apprenticeships here may still offer strong local placement.

The employment outlook is solid if unspectacular: 4.5% growth projected through 2034 for Plumber & Pipefitters. What matters more than the growth rate is the 44,000 annual openings — mostly from retirements — that keep demand steady.

With 3.0% of the nation's Plumber & Pipefitters (14,490 workers), Ohio sits in the middle of the pack. Apprenticeship programs exist but may concentrate in metro areas rather than spread statewide.

The Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship path spans 4 years in a time-based format. During those 8,000 hours, apprentices rotate between jobsite work under a journeyman and formal instruction in mechanical systems, refrigerant handling, and equipment diagnostics.

The apprenticeship infrastructure in Ohio is extensive: 805 registered sponsors operate across the state. Union halls, contractors, and joint apprenticeship committees all accept applications.

Apprentices entering the Plumber & Pipefitter trade in Ohio start near the $40,720 floor but have a clear path to $96,310 — a $55,590 arc that reflects how the trade values experience and skill accumulation.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Ohio

805 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Ohio. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
AKRON FIRE DEPT. TRAINING DEPT. Akron Summit County
Akron Area Electrical JATC Akron Summit County
Community Drug Board, Inc. Akron
ELECTRICIANS JATC, AKRON Akron Summit County
IBH Addiction Recovery Akron
Landi Industries Akron
OhioMeansJobs Summit County Akron
Oriana House, Inc, Akron Summit County
Oriana House, Inc. Akron
PLUMBERS, STEAMFITTERS & MES JATC, AKRON Akron Summit County
Summit/Medina Workforce Development Board Akron
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON Akron Summit County
Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services, Inc. Akron
WHITACRE GREER COMPANY Alliance Mahoning County
NORTHERN OHIO ADMIN DISTRICT CO OF BRICKLAYERS Amherst Lorain County
ORRSON CUSTOM FARMING LTD. Apple Creek
Northwest State Community College Archbold Fulton County
Sauder Manufacturing Co. Archbold
BCU Electric, Inc. Ashland
OhioMeansJobs Ashland County Ashland
INEOS KOH Ashtabula Ashtabula County
INEOS PIGMENTS PLANT 1 Ashtabula Ashtabula County
OhioMeansJobs - Ashtabula County Ashtabula
AREA 14 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD Athens Athens County
Athens Mold and Machine Athens
+ 5 more sponsors in Ohio

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Plumber & Pipefitter salary in Ohio?
Plumber & Pipefitters in Ohio earn a median salary of $62,530/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $62,970 for the trade.
What is the length of a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship program?
Most Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Should I do a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship or go to trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Plumber & Pipefitters combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
What is the job outlook for Plumber & Pipefitters?
The BLS projects 4.5% employment growth for Plumber & Pipefitters through 2034 — steady demand. About 44000 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
How do I find a Plumber & Pipefitter apprenticeship in Ohio?
There are 805 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Ohio. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Plumber & Pipefitter apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $31,265/yr in Ohio). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Plumber & Pipefitter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Ohio

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.