UA Local 190 represents plumbers & pipefitters in Ann Arbor, MI. Below: wage scale context, jurisdiction, apprenticeship routes, and the signatory contractors that hire from this hall.
UA Local 190 represents a highly skilled workforce of plumbers, pipefitters, service technicians, and gas distribution workers serving Ann Arbor and the surrounding Washtenaw County region. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has tracked the impact of this local on the Michigan construction landscape, noting its critical role in supporting the University of Michigan's extensive infrastructure and the area's robust healthcare facilities. The local operates as part of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, ensuring that mechanical systems in the region meet rigorous safety and efficiency standards.
The market for Local 190 is defined by a unique blend of institutional, industrial, and commercial construction. Because Ann Arbor serves as a major hub for research, education, and medical innovation, the demand for specialized piping systems—such as laboratory gases, high-pressure steam, and complex hydronic systems—remains consistently high. This environment requires a workforce that is not only proficient in traditional plumbing and pipefitting but also capable of executing precision work in sensitive environments. Consequently, Local 190 members are some of the most specialized tradespeople in the state of Michigan.
The UA Local 190 pay scale is determined through collective bargaining between the union and signatory contractor associations. While specific hourly rates are not publicly broadcast for the current term, the compensation structure follows a standard union model where journeymen receive a base hourly wage plus a comprehensive fringe benefit package. Apprentices enter the program at a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting around 45% to 50% and receiving incremental raises every six to twelve months as they complete required on-the-job training hours and classroom instruction. To obtain the exact UA 190 wages currently in effect for plumbers, pipefitters, or HVAC technicians, individuals should contact the business office directly or consult the latest wage circular provided to signatory employers.
The jurisdiction of UA Local 190 is centered in Ann Arbor and covers the entirety of Washtenaw County, extending into portions of surrounding counties to ensure comprehensive mechanical coverage for the region. This territory includes major municipalities and the significant university campuses that drive much of the local's man-hours. Members are dispatched to job sites ranging from large-scale institutional developments to specialized gas distribution projects throughout the southeastern Michigan corridor. The local's charter includes plumbing, pipefitting, steamfitting, and HVAC-R service work, making it the primary labor source for complex mechanical projects within its geographic boundaries.
The contractor landscape for UA Local 190 is composed of several large-scale mechanical primes, specialized plumbing contractors, and dedicated HVAC service providers. These signatory firms range from regional powerhouses that manage multi-million dollar institutional builds to boutique contractors focused on high-tech lab fit-outs and medical gas systems. Because of the technical nature of the work in the Ann Arbor market, many of these contractors invest heavily in pre-fabrication and advanced BIM modeling. Hiring typically follows the fluctuations of the University's capital improvement plan and regional healthcare expansions, maintaining a steady baseline of work for the local membership.