Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services at Ranken Technical College
a compact campus enrolling 1,695 students in Saint Louis, MO.
Program Analysis
Ranken Technical College's Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services 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 and Related Water Supply Services 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 and Related Water Supply Services 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 and Related Water Supply Services reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
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 →