Plumbing
Quick Facts: Plumbing Training
Where it's offered
Plumbing programs are offered at 19 schools across 14 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $42,601/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 22 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Plumbing — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 19 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 52/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Plumbing Graduates Do
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.
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You’ll typically start as an apprentice, learning directly from experienced pros while earning a wage. After a few years, you become a licensed journeyman, tackling complex jobs independently as your income rises significantly. This is hands-on problem-solving that can’t be done from a desk or automated by an algorithm. With experience, you can advance to a supervisor leading a crew, a master plumber, or start your own business where your earning potential is highest. Demand is strong, with thousands of openings each year, and specialized paths like septic service are growing even faster.
Related programs worth comparing: Construction Trades, Carpentry, and Masonry.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 22 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Plumbing. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gas-Main Fitter
RAPIDS 964 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Marine Pipefitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter [Ship & Boat]) (Military Only)
RAPIDS 0412R2 |
5920 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipe Fitter (Construction)
RAPIDS 414 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipe Fitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter (Construction))
RAPIDS 0414HY |
8500-10000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipe Fitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter (Construction))
RAPIDS 0414CL |
8500-10000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipe Fitter (Ship & Boat)
RAPIDS 412 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipe Fitter - Sprinkler Fitter
RAPIDS 0414S-CL |
8500-10000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipe Fitter - Sprinkler Fitter
RAPIDS 0414S-R |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipefitting
RAPIDS **0414R |
7328 hrs
~3.7 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Pipefitting And/Or Plumbing
RAPIDS **0412R |
7328 hrs
~3.7 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Plumber
RAPIDS **0432R |
7328 hrs
~3.7 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Plumber
RAPIDS 432 |
8500 hrs
~4.2 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Plumber
RAPIDS 0432CL |
8500-10000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Plumber
RAPIDS 0432HY |
8500-10000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Plumber
RAPIDS 0432R1 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Prospecting Driller (Petro)
RAPIDS 416 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $53K – $65,010 – $82K | 0.2% |
|
Sprinkler Fitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter)
RAPIDS 0414R1-HY |
8500-10000 hrs | Hybrid | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Sprinkler Fitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter)
RAPIDS 0414S |
8500 hrs
~4.2 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Steam Service Inspector
RAPIDS 460 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Temporary Services Pipefitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitting And/Or Plumbing) (Military Only)
RAPIDS 0412R1 |
5920 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Utilities Systems Repair Operator (Dry Docks) (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter (Ship And Boat))(Military Only)
RAPIDS 0412R |
5920 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
|
Water Distribution Operator
RAPIDS 2092 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $49K – $62,970 – $82K | 4.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Plumbing Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Plumbing is offered at 19 schools across 14 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Plumbing Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Plumbing programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
19 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Plumbing Programs
Schools where Plumbing graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | $82,191/yr | 77 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | $82,055/yr | 82 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | $79,589/yr | 81 |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | $63,386/yr | 63 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | $44,240/yr | 71 |
| Ranken Technical College | $43,556/yr | 57 |
| Industrial Management Training Institute | $42,300/yr | 58 |
| New England Institute of Technology | $40,744/yr | 50 |
| Hennepin Technical College | $40,030/yr | 66 |
| Orleans Technical College | $35,730/yr | 54 |
Best ROI for Plumbing
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Plumbing.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | 186.3x | $82,055/yr | 82 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | 160.9x | $79,589/yr | 81 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | 90.7x | $82,191/yr | 77 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | 88.2x | $44,240/yr | 71 |
| Hennepin Technical College | 67.1x | $40,030/yr | 66 |
| Ranken Technical College | 24.6x | $43,556/yr | 57 |
| NUC University | 22.8x | $19,156/yr | 41 |
| New England Institute of Technology | 7.2x | $40,744/yr | 50 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
State Licensing & Certification
After completing your program, most states require a license or certification to practice. Compare requirements, costs, and salary by state.