Plumbing at Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN · Public · Associate Degree · Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services

serving a student body of 54,926 in Indianapolis, IN.

Program Analysis

At $82,191 per year, Plumbing graduates from Ivy Tech Community College significantly outpace the $42,600 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 92.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Plumbing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Ivy Tech Community College ranks #3 among 19 Plumbing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $82,191 to $90,060 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 22 apprenticeship pathways connected to Plumbing reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
76
Low End
77
Score
78
High End
Earnings $82,191/yr (93% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$913K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
92.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,824
Out-of-state: $18,930
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,060
10% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Plumbing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers $78,690 +5.3% 57%
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas $65,010 +0.2% 95%
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters $62,970 +4.5% 95%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
$78,690
+5.3% growth 57% AI-proof
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
$65,010
+0.2% growth 95% AI-proof
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
$62,970
+4.5% growth 95% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Plumbing Career Guide

What can you do with a Plumbing credential from Ivy Tech Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Plumbing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Plumbing Overview

Plumbing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ivy Tech Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Plumbing at Ivy Tech Community College?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How safe is Plumbing from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Plumbing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Ivy Tech Community College's score of 77/100 reflects this durability.
Is Ivy Tech Community College one of the best schools for Plumbing?
Ranked #3 of 19 programs nationally, Ivy Tech Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Plumbing through an apprenticeship instead of Ivy Tech Community College?
Yes — 22 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Plumbing career paths, including Gas-Main Fitter. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Ivy Tech Community College.
Will Plumbing graduates from Ivy Tech Community College find jobs?
The very large job market (125,700 annual openings) works in favor of Plumbing graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →