Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 452 in Lexington, KY earn $41/hr in base wages, effective Undated.
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UA Local 452 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 452 pay scale is $41.00 per hour for journeymen in Lexington, KY, or about $82,000 a year at 2,080 hours. That is the rate in force, effective Undated.
| Local 452 journeyman hourly wage | $41.00 / hour |
|---|---|
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $82,000 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $18.45–$20.50 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | Undated |
| Classification | Journeyman Plumber |
A Local 452 apprentice in Lexington, KY starts at roughly $18.45 an hour — about 45% of the $41.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $30.75 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 452 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $18.45 / hour | $36,900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $22.55 / hour | $45,100 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $26.65 / hour | $53,300 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $30.75 / hour | $61,500 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $34.85 / hour | $69,700 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $41.00 / hour | $82,000 |
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Local 452 wages: $41.00 an hour on the journeyman scale, effective Undated. That is the most recent Lexington, KY sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
UA Local 452's published wage determination does not break out fringes, so we show only the wage figures it prints.
Verified from official source: UA Local 452 recruiting site
Download the UA Local 452 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective Undated.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | Not published | The wage determination does not separate fringes for this local. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the UA Local 452 scale used across the Lexington, KY area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial mechanical and process piping, chiller and boiler work, HVAC piping and hydronics and service, retrofit and shutdown work for signatory contractors throughout the Lexington metro, so a pipefitters wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits pipefitters talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Lexington. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 452 rates. For current Lexington scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
UA Local 452 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 859-252-8337 to confirm dispatch procedure, 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 452 represents the skilled pipe trades across Central and Eastern Kentucky, specifically focusing on the plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC service sectors. Based in Lexington, this local provides the specialized labor force necessary for the region's diverse industrial and commercial infrastructure. The membership maintains critical systems in healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and manufacturing plants that drive the Bluegrass region's economy. By enforcing high standards of craftsmanship and safety, Local 452 ensures that signatory contractors have access to a reliable pool of licensed professionals capable of executing complex mechanical projects under strict regulatory requirements.
The Lexington market serves as a central hub for the state's automotive and thoroughbred industries, both of which require significant mechanical support. Local 452 members are trained to handle everything from high-pressure process piping to sanitary plumbing systems and advanced climate control technologies. As the region continues to see investment in biotechnology and heavy manufacturing, the demand for UA-certified pipefitters and plumbers remains a cornerstone of local development. The union acts as a primary resource for workforce development, offering a structured environment where apprentices and journeymen alike can refine their technical skills to meet evolving industry standards and energy codes.
Compensation for Local 452 members is governed by a collective bargaining agreement that establishes a base journeyman hourly rate plus a comprehensive fringe benefit package. Because current specific wage scales are not publicly broadcast, interested parties should contact the Lexington business office directly for the most recent schedules. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting at approximately 45-50% and increasing annually or bi-annually as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. This tiered progression ensures that labor costs remain scalable for contractors while providing a clear path to middle-class earnings for trainees. The total package includes employer-paid health insurance and retirement contributions, which significantly increase the effective hourly value beyond the take-home pay.
The chartered jurisdiction of UA Local 452 encompasses a significant portion of Central Kentucky, centered in Lexington and extending into the surrounding rural and industrial counties. This territory includes major economic zones where members are dispatched to commercial construction sites, municipal water treatment facilities, and private industrial complexes. The jurisdiction requires members to be mobile, as work sites can range from urban centers to remote manufacturing corridors. The local manages the dispatch process, ensuring that signatory contractors are provided with personnel who meet the specific licensing requirements of the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, particularly regarding plumbing and boiler pressure vessel certifications.
The contractor landscape for Local 452 is characterized by a mix of regional mechanical primes and specialized service firms. These signatory entities handle large-scale capital projects, including university expansions and hospital renovations, as well as ongoing facilities maintenance. The relationship between the union and its contractors is focused on delivering projects on schedule and within budget, leveraging the UA's national standards for welding and piping proficiency. Hiring activity often fluctuates based on major industrial outages or state-funded infrastructure cycles, with many contractors specializing in design-build mechanical systems or emergency HVAC service for the region's large commercial footprints.
Members have access to a variety of UA certifications including ASME welding (various alloys), medical gas installation, backflow prevention, and various HVACR certifications. These credentials are recognized nationally across all UA locals, allowing for increased portability and employment opportunities on specialized projects within the Kentucky market and beyond.
The Local 452 apprenticeship is a five-year program. It combines rigorous classroom instruction at the Lexington training center with 8,000 to 10,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. This model allows apprentices to earn a living while they learn the trade, gradually moving from basic tasks to complex system installations under journeyman supervision.
Travelers and transfers are handled according to the United Association Constitution. Members in good standing from other locals may be eligible to work in the Lexington jurisdiction depending on the local work list and manpower needs. Permanent transfers typically require approval from the Business Manager and may involve a residency or period of work requirement.
While the primary focus of UA Local 452 is on commercial, industrial, and institutional mechanical systems, some signatory contractors may perform high-density residential or specialized multi-family plumbing. However, the bulk of the local's man-hours are traditionally found in the heavy commercial and industrial sectors where specialized piping skills are most in demand.
UA Local 452 is seated in Lexington, Kentucky (KY). We hold published wage sheets for 7 locals across Kentucky — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Lexington and the rest of Kentucky, including contractors signatory to UA Local 452. 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 452 pay scale is $41.00 per hour for journeymen in Lexington, KY, or about $82,000 a year at 2,080 hours. That is the rate in force, effective Undated.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 452 agreement make $41.00 an hour in base wages, per the wage sheet effective Undated. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$41.00 per hour base wage for a journeyman in Lexington, KY, effective Undated. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $82,000 before overtime.
A Local 452 apprentice in Lexington, KY starts at roughly $18.45 an hour — about 45% of the $41.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $30.75 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 452 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $18.45 an hour, or roughly $36,900 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $41.00 journeyman rate effective Undated. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $26.65 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $30.75 an hour in the fourth period and $41.00 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 452 training center.
Local 452 wages: $41.00 an hour on the journeyman scale, effective Undated. That is the most recent Lexington, KY sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Yes — a one-page printable UA Local 452 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ua-local-452-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $41.00 hourly scale and the Undated effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current UA Local 452 journeyman rate is $41.00/hour, effective Undated. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $82,000 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 452 business office before relying on the figure.
Apprentices under the UA Local 452 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 $41.00/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $18.45–$20.50/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 452 is headquartered in Lexington, KY 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 452 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 452 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 452 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 452 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 Undated schedule; check with the Local 452 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 452 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 452 hall is at 701 Allenridge Point Lexington, KY 40510, serving Lexington, KY and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 859-252-8337.
UA Local 452 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 859-252-8337 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 452 can be reached at 859-252-8337. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.
$41.00/hr in base wages for journeyman plumber, effective Undated per the UA Local 452 recruiting site wage determination.
Undated. Effective date on the source wage sheet is not machine-readable — treat this rate as directional and confirm with the local before quoting.
The published wage determination for this local prints wages without a separate fringe line, so we do not show a benefit figure. The hall's fund office can provide the contribution schedule.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
Moderate confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Sep 28, 2026 (2 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.