Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 13 in Rochester, NY earn $47.18/hr in base wages, or $74.66/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jun 2026.
UA Local 13 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list — call the hall to confirm hours, books and what to bring. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 13 pay scale for 2026 is $47.18 per hour for journeymen in Rochester, NY, or about $94,360 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.66 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 6/26/26.
| Local 13 journeyman hourly wage | $47.18 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $74.66 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $94,360 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $21.23–$23.59 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 6/26/26 |
A Local 13 apprentice in Rochester, NY starts at roughly $21.23 an hour — about 45% of the $47.18 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $35.39 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 13 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $21.23 / hour | $42,462 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $25.95 / hour | $51,898 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $30.67 / hour | $61,334 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $35.39 / hour | $70,770 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $40.10 / hour | $80,206 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $47.18 / hour | $94,360 |
UA Local 13 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 585-338-2360 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
United Association Local 13 represents the highly skilled plumbers, pipefitters, and service technicians across the greater Rochester region and the Genesee Valley of New York. As a cornerstone of the regional construction industry, this local provides essential labor for municipal infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and the significant industrial manufacturing sector that defines Western New York. Members are trained to execute complex mechanical systems, ensuring that everything from high-pressure process piping to commercial plumbing meets rigorous safety and efficiency standards. The local maintains a strong presence in the market by providing a steady pipeline of certified professionals to signatory contractors who handle the area's largest capital projects and ongoing facility maintenance.
The Rochester market is characterized by its blend of historical industrial roots and a growing emphasis on high-tech manufacturing and educational institutions. UA Local 13 plays a critical role in this ecosystem by managing the apprenticeship and continuing education programs that keep the workforce current with modern energy codes and technological advancements. For contractors, partnering with this local ensures access to a vetted labor pool capable of meeting the stringent requirements of cleanroom environments and heavy industrial sites. For the tradesperson, the local serves as the primary vehicle for securing fair compensation, comprehensive health benefits, and a stable path toward a dignified retirement in a region with a moderate cost of living compared to downstate New York.
Effective June 26, 2026, the Journeyman hourly rate for UA Local 13 is set at $47.18, contributing to a total compensation package of $74.66 per hour when fringe benefits are included. This gap between the check wage and the total package represents the employer's investment into the member's long-term health, retirement, and training. Apprentices typically begin their five-year program at a percentage of the Journeyman rate, often starting around 45% to 50% and receiving incremental raises every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the fifth year, senior apprentices earn a high percentage of the full rate, ensuring a smooth transition into Journeyman status with the full benefit load applied. These rates are subject to the specific terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and may vary slightly based on the specific classification of work performed.
Effective June 26, 2026, the Journeyman hourly rate for UA Local 13 is set at $47.18, contributing to a total compensation package of $74.66 per hour when fringe benefits are included. This gap between the check wage and the total package represents the employer's investment into the member's long-term health, retirement, and training. Apprentices typically begin their five-year program at a percentage of the Journeyman rate, often starting around 45% to 50% and receiving incremental raises every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the fifth year, senior apprentices earn a high percentage of the full rate, ensuring a smooth transition into Journeyman status with the full benefit load applied. These rates are subject to the specific terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and may vary slightly based on the specific classification of work performed.
The jurisdiction of UA Local 13 covers a significant portion of the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions, centered around Rochester. The chartered territory includes the counties of Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, and Yates, along with portions of Genesee and Orleans. Members are dispatched to a variety of project sites ranging from downtown high-rises to rural industrial plants. The agreement covers all aspects of the piping trades, including plumbing, steamfitting, refrigeration, and HVAC service. Because the jurisdiction includes several major transit corridors, travel expectations are standard for the region, and the local maintains strict oversight to ensure that all work performed within these boundaries adheres to the negotiated labor standards and safety protocols defined in the master agreement.
The signatory contractor landscape for UA Local 13 is a diverse mix of large-scale mechanical primes and specialized service providers. Many of these firms have been operating in the Rochester area since 2014 or earlier, focusing on the region's robust institutional sector, including universities and large healthcare systems. The market also supports numerous small-to-mid-sized plumbing contractors who handle commercial build-outs and tenant improvements. Hiring typically fluctuates with major seasonal outages at industrial facilities and the commencement of municipal infrastructure projects. Contractors benefit from the local's ability to scale labor up or down quickly, providing a flexible yet highly skilled workforce that can handle everything from emergency repairs to multi-year construction developments.
Apprentices and journeymen have access to a wide array of industry-standard certifications, including OSHA safety training, medical gas installation, backflow prevention, and specialized welding certifications. These credentials are recognized nationally across the United Association and are essential for working on high-spec industrial and healthcare projects in the Rochester area.
Travelers and members looking to transfer into Local 13 must follow the standard UA constitution procedures. This typically involves contacting the Business Manager of their home local to coordinate with Local 13's leadership. Acceptance of transfers depends on current work volumes and the specific skill sets required by signatory contractors in the Rochester market.
Wage adjustments are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated between the union and signatory contractors. These increases usually occur annually on a set date, such as late June. The specific allocation between the hourly check wage and various fringe benefit funds is voted on by the membership prior to the effective date.
While both trades fall under the same local, plumbing generally focuses on potable water, waste, and vent systems in residential and commercial buildings. Pipefitting typically involves high-pressure steam, chemical, and process piping systems found in industrial settings. Local 13 members are often cross-trained, though many specialize in one area as they progress through their careers.
UA Local 13 is seated in Rochester, New York (NY). We hold published wage sheets for 27 locals across New York — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Rochester and the rest of New York, including contractors signatory to UA Local 13. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 13 pay scale for 2026 is $47.18 per hour for journeymen in Rochester, NY, or about $94,360 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.66 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 6/26/26.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 13 agreement make $47.18 an hour in base wages, or $74.66 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 6/26/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$47.18 per hour base wage and $74.66 per hour total package for a journeyman in Rochester, NY, effective 6/26/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $94,360 before overtime.
A Local 13 apprentice in Rochester, NY starts at roughly $21.23 an hour — about 45% of the $47.18 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $35.39 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 13 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $21.23 an hour, or roughly $42,462 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $47.18 journeyman rate effective 6/26/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $30.67 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $35.39 an hour in the fourth period and $47.18 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 13 training center.
The current UA Local 13 journeyman rate is $47.18/hour, with a total package of $74.66/hour including fringe benefits, effective 6/26/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $94,360 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 13 business office before relying on the figure.
The $47.18/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $74.66/hour total package adds employer-paid fringes — health and welfare, pension, annuity, apprenticeship training, and industry funds. Contractors bid work off the total package, so that is the number that matters when comparing plumbers & pipefitters labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the UA Local 13 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $47.18/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $21.23–$23.59/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 13 is headquartered in Rochester, NY and dispatches plumbers & pipefitters manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform plumbers & pipefitters work. Some Local 13 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the UA Local 13 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 13 training center directly.
Plumbers & Pipefitters apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the UA Local 13 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union plumbers & pipefitters professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 6/26/26 schedule; check with the Local 13 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 13 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 13 hall is at 1850 Mt Read Blvd Rochester, NY 14615, serving Rochester, NY and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 585-338-2360.
UA Local 13 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 585-338-2360 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
UA Local 13 can be reached at 585-338-2360. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.