Home / Federal careers / WG-4206
Plumbing
Federal Wage Grade plumbing position installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing systems including pipes, fixtures, and water systems at federal buildings and military installations.
What WG-4206 pays
Federal Wage System pay is set by local prevailing wage surveys, so it moves with the wage area rather than a national table.
Wage Grade rates are published per wage area rather than nationally, so the number that matters is the one for the installation you are applying to.
Source: DoD Civilian Personnel Advisory Service wage schedules.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for WG-4206, as written.
The qualification standard for this series is not loaded yet.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for WG-4206
1Review Trade/Craft Requirements
WG positions require demonstrated skill in a specific trade or craft. Review the job announcement for required certifications, licenses, and hands-on experience.
2Document Your Experience
WG positions are experience-based, not grade-based. Document your years of hands-on trade experience, apprenticeships completed, and journeyman status if applicable.
3Gather Credentials
Collect your DD-214, trade certifications (welding, electrical, HVAC, etc.), apprenticeship completion certificates, and any specialized licenses required for your trade.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages, the same USAJOBS limit that has applied since 27 September 2025. Lead with hands-on trade experience: the tools and equipment you ran, safety training, the projects you finished, and hours worked per week.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for WG positions in your trade specialty, carefully answer assessment questions about your skill level and experience, and submit before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Plumber
Plumbing pathway.
Skills that carry over: Plumbing, Water Systems, Sanitation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-10.
Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance
WG-4206 Plumbing positions exist on nearly every federal installation, VA medical center, and base. Your apprentice-to-craftsman progression maps onto the wage-grade structure with little friction.
Skills that carry over: Plumbing installation and repair, Backflow prevention, Pipe system diagnosis, Code compliance.
Usually opens at: WG-8, WG-9, WG-10.
Plumber
12K maps almost 1:1 to WG-4206 Plumbing, the federal plumber trade. Army journeyman hours satisfy the screen-out element once documented.
Skills that carry over: Pipe system installation, Fixture setting, Soldering and brazing, Leak diagnosis.
Usually opens at: WG-8, WG-9, WG-10.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Perform skilled trade work in accordance with established standards, specifications, and safety procedures
- Operate, maintain, and repair trade-specific equipment, tools, and machinery
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical manuals, work orders, and specifications
- Inspect completed work for quality, accuracy, and compliance with requirements
- Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in clean, safe, and operational condition
- Document work performed including time, materials used, and completion status
- Coordinate with supervisors and other trades on project requirements and schedules
- Follow all safety protocols including proper use of PPE and hazardous material handling
- Train and assist lower-grade workers in trade techniques and procedures
- Requisition materials, parts, and supplies needed to complete assigned work
Key competencies
Technical Knowledge
Understanding of trade-specific tools, equipment, materials, and techniques required for the position
Manual Dexterity
Physical coordination and skill in using hands and tools to perform precise work
Safety Awareness
Knowledge of workplace safety procedures, OSHA standards, and proper use of personal protective equipment
Problem Solving
Ability to diagnose issues, troubleshoot problems, and determine effective repair solutions
Quality Control
Attention to detail ensuring work meets specifications, standards, and quality requirements
Blueprint Reading
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, diagrams, and work orders
Equipment Operation
Proficiency in operating trade-specific machinery, power tools, and specialized equipment
Maintenance Procedures
Knowledge of preventive maintenance, inspection protocols, and equipment care
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and customers about work status
Adaptability
Flexibility to work in various conditions and adjust to changing priorities and assignments
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about WG-4206
What is a federal Plumber?
A federal Plumber (WG-4206) installs, maintains, and repairs plumbing systems including pipes, fixtures, and water systems at federal buildings and military installations. They ensure reliable water supply, drainage, and sanitary systems across government facilities.
How much does a federal Plumber make?
Federal Plumbers (WG-4206) are paid under the Federal Wage System based on local prevailing rates. Journeyman wages (WG-10/11) typically range $28-$42 per hour depending on locality. Annual earnings range $58,000-$87,000. This essential trade offers stable federal employment.
What are the requirements for WG-4206 positions?
WG-4206 requires journeyman-level plumbing skills. Qualifications include pipe installation, fixture repair, drain cleaning, blueprint reading, code compliance, and ability to troubleshoot water supply and drainage systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Can military experience substitute for education in WG-4206?
Yes, military plumbing experience directly qualifies. Navy Hull Technicians (HT), Seabee Utilitiesmen (UT), Army 12K (Plumber), and any construction MOS with plumbing duties provide directly relevant experience for federal plumber positions.
What is the career progression for Plumbing?
Plumbers progress from helper through journeyman (WG-10/11) and lead positions. Career paths include supervisory roles, facilities management, WG-4204 (Pipefitting) for industrial work, or transition to GS facilities engineering technician positions.
How do I apply for WG-4206 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Plumber' or series '4206.' Positions exist at virtually every federal installation. Highlight your journeyman credentials, code knowledge, and troubleshooting skills. Veterans receive strong hiring preference for this essential trade.
Ready to apply for WG-4206?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.