Plumbing at Ranken Technical College

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services

a compact campus enrolling 1,695 students in Saint Louis, MO.

Program Analysis

Ranken Technical College's Plumbing program produces graduates earning $43,556/yr — within striking distance of the $42,600 national average for this trade.

With a 26.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,500 in median debt clears fast against $43,556 in annual earnings.

A #8 ranking among 19 Plumbing programs places Ranken Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $43,556 to $44,754 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.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $43,556/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$456K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
26.1x
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
$17,490
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,500
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,754
3% 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

See the full career breakdown for Plumbing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Ranken Technical College and 18 other schools.

Read the full Plumbing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Plumbing Overview

Plumbing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ranken Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Plumbing at Ranken Technical College?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Plumbing field.
How safe is Plumbing from automation?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 13% of Plumbing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 7 of 7 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Plumbing at Ranken Technical College?
At $6,500 in median debt, Plumbing graduates from Ranken Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Plumbing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 22 apprenticeship pathways related to Plumbing. For students weighing Ranken Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Plumbing workers?
At 125,700 annual openings, Plumbing has a very large employment base. Ranken Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →