Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services at Orleans Technical College
Orleans Technical College's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 245 in Philadelphia, PA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $35,730/yr fall 16% below the $42,600 national median for Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
With only 13% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 8%. Career paths for Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.
At $7,521 in median debt against $35,730 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
At #10 out of 19 programs, Orleans Technical College's financial outcomes for Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth is modest: $35,730 to $39,956 over five years (12% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
With 22 registered apprenticeships mapped to Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services 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% |
About Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services Careers
Your days will be a mix of new construction sites and residential service calls. You could be fitting copper pipes in a new high-rise, using a PEX crimper under a kitchen sink, or running a diagnostic camera down a drain line to pinpoint a stubborn clog. In related fields like septic and sewer service, you’ll operate powerful vacuum trucks and high-pressure water jets to maintain and repair crucial wastewater systems.
Read the full Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services career guide →