13 Best Plumbing Trade Schools in the USA

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You don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to attend college to get a high-paying career. Best plumbing trade schools are an excellent option for people who want to make a lot of money without spending a lot of money in advance to study.

Potential plumbers can attend a vocational school or community college for much less than those who choose a four-year education.  In the best plumbing trade schools in the USA, you can enroll.

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How Often Do Plumbers Work?

The standard working hours for plumbers is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week).  As in many construction areas, there are peak periods when you have to work overtime. 

The number of extra hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and the region in which you work and will vary from job to job.

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As a plumber, you can work outdoors and indoors, alone or with a team of other construction professionals.  The work can be physically demanding – you may have to stand or squat for a long time and lift heavy materials.

Also Read: 15 Best Plumbing Schools in New Jersey

How Much Is Plumbing Trade School?

Online plumbing training costs $800-1,000.  For example, Penn Foster offers an $868 plumbing program, and Ashworth College has similar courses for $800. 

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Plumbing trade school costs 1250-3000 US dollars.  For example, AC / C Tech in Indianapolis offers a program of five courses in plumbing technology for $1250.

How Long Is Plumbing Trade School?

If you have graduated from high school or obtained a GED, you have two options for primary plumbing certification: training at a vocational plumbing school or training in plumbing. 

It usually takes about two years to study plumbing in a vocational school.  In the meantime, training can last from two to five years, depending on the program.

The benefits of a trade school include flexibility in the workplace after training and greater control over training.  However, training is usually funded by a union or business. 

Although this route may provide less flexibility, you can pay for tuition.  Any choice is an effective way to learn to become a plumber.

ALSO CHECK: 13 Best Trade Schools in Arizona

What Does it Take to Become a Journeyman Plumber?

To become an apprentice plumber, you need experience in the field and your education.  Experience requirements vary by state, but it takes an average of five years of experience in many places. 

After gaining this experience, you can take the plumber certification exam. Many internships properly prepare students for the apprenticeship exam.

Why Attend the Best Plumbing Trade Schools Before Becoming a Plumber?

You can become a plumbing student only with a high school diploma or GED.  However, many plumbing companies want their apprentices to have some education and experience. 

You may want to talk to local companies that are currently hiring students.

Once licensed, you can begin additional training to expand your career as a plumber.  One of the areas that many plumbers are exploring is plumbing design. 

As a plumbing designer, you would design residential and commercial plumbing systems, drainage networks, and fire sprinkler systems.

Do You Need a License to Become a Plumber in the USA?

Plumbers in most states must be licensed to provide services to customers.  Some states license apprentices and plumbers separately, while others license only plumbers. 

To obtain a license, plumbers must meet standards of training and experience and, in most cases, pass a certification exam. 

The training and experience requirements for obtaining an apprenticeship license are usually met through training. 

Certification exams for apprentice plumbers cover topics such as the Unified Plumbing Code, state plumbing codes, and the application of this code to pipeline, ventilation, and waste scenarios.

It is noted that plumbing contractors may impose restrictions on the type of work they can perform and the types of businesses they can open.  In Louisiana, for example, an apprentice plumber may own a repair business but not advertise it as a plumbing business.

With additional experience and training, plumbers can obtain a license as a master plumber or plumber specialty.  States may offer special approvals or certifications in backflow prevention, medical gas, and well drilling.

Also Read: 15+ Best Plumbing Schools in Texas

Best plumbing trade schools in the USA

#1 Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta Technical College (ATC) in Atlanta, Georgia, offers certification and diploma programs in plumbing. 

ATC offers a diploma in plumbing and maintenance, certificates in plumbing services and systems, and residential/commercial plumbing. 

In addition to general training in plumbing, programs include basic skills in math, English, and interpersonal skills.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#2 Cleveland Community College

Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina, offers a degree program and a certificate in plumbing. 

Students can choose a plumbing certificate; It is believed that this is the fastest way to acquire the necessary skills to understand water supply, sewerage, and ventilation systems in residential areas. 

The diploma is slightly more intensive and covers many topics, including water supply, waste disposal, pipe and pump installation, and codes and standards.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#3 St. Paul’s College, Minnesota

St. Paul’s College boasts a state-of-the-art plumbing laboratory for practical training in a safe, supervised environment. 

The school’s plumbing program focuses on teaching plumbing technology applicable to industrial, commercial, and residential facilities, preparing students for a variety of opportunities in the field. 

Students will also learn how to use tools properly, read drawings, and always follow the state’s sanitary standards. You will complete this program with a degree in plumbing in about two years and be ready for the five-year internship required to take the Minnesota exam.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#4 Salt Lake Community College, Utah

Students enrolled in the Salt Lake Community College program receive a significant tuition discount: a 50% discount.  But students who study should not expect a break in the severity of the coursework! 

This school expects that students already have a job in plumbing or will find one during the first year of study. 

Working and studying at school can be challenging, but those who know how to balance the two will find it useful to make such useful training for the plumbing industry as a whole.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#5 Macomb Community College, Michigan

Macomb Community College South Campus offers a training program that teaches the technical aspects of the plumbing industry, such as pressure management, template assembly, and properly selected pipes. 

This school encourages you to enroll in staff-supported training at the end of your formal coursework, but you can use their career services at any time to help with your job search.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#6 Northern Maine Public College (ME)

You are guaranteed a lot of supervision and help from teachers at the North Maine Public College, an institution where the ratio of students to teachers is 12: 1. 

The small size of the classrooms, affordable tuition, and a varied curriculum that teaches not only plumbing but also heating and cooling makes it a reliable learning option for aspiring students. 

You will be licensed as a staff member of the State of Maine as a student of this program, and understanding the Maine Sanitary Code remains a priority of the course.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#7 Western Arizona College (Arizona)

Western Arizona College has a larger total number of students than many other schools. Still, tuition remains affordable despite the wide range of educational opportunities in the Construction and Technology program. 

Students in the plumbing course have access to many other cross-learning skills, including HVAC, electricity, drawing, and welding.  Students can receive professional certificates or diplomas of a specialist in applied sciences.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

#8 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (Kentucky)

The Elizabethtown Community and Technical College student program allows you to create a unique learning and learning experience.  Various professions are available, including plumbing, and you also need to take some basic education courses, more than 20 of which are available online. 

This school also offers refresher courses for plumbers and plumbers in the area, positioning it as a valuable resource once you are officially licensed as a staff apprentice.

SCHOOL WEBSITE

Also Read: 15 Best Plumbing Schools in Houston, TX

CONCLUSION

In short, becoming a plumber in the 21st century is much more than cleaning your home sewer (although this service remains valuable).  Because plumbing designs are firmly in our modern way of life, the plumbing industry can offer a stable career with good pay.  Attending one of the best plumbing trade schools in the country can put you on the path to success.

Most plumbers are trained, which combines classroom training with paid on-the-job training.  Most states also need a license to work independently. Plumbers must be licensed to work in most US states and municipalities. In addition to the need for two to five years of experience, you must pass an exam depending on where the license is issued.

Best Plumbing Trade Schools FAQs

Can You Become A Carpenter Without Doing An Apprenticeship?

To become a journeyman plumber, you usually need an apprenticeship, the lowest level plumber.  Students should prepare people for the apprenticeship licensing exam.  Training involves hands-on training provided by a licensed plumber and is a great way to start a career.  This process usually takes about two years, although in some states, it may take up to three.  Contact your local plumbing company or union to find programs.

What Does A Plumber Do?

Plumbers install water supply and water treatment systems. They install residential and commercial systems such as spas, hot tubs, and pool plumbing. The plumber works with sewage systems and other types of sewage.  Plumbers also perform the installation and repair of household plumbing systems. They remove debris and replace damaged pipes. Socially conscious consumers and customers can look for environmentally friendly solutions to household problems of plumbing, installation, and new construction. 

Are There Plumbing Trade Schools Online?

Yes, online plumbing schools offer general training and knowledge of plumbing. They can provide graduates with basic skills in water, gas, steam and sewage piping systems.  Major industries include pipe installation, steam installation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Another area of ​​great interest is green technologies, in which plumbers design and install efficient systems with a positive impact on the environment.

REFERENCES

education.costhelper.com – Plumbing Training Cost

bestaccreditedcolleges.org – Top Schools for Plumbing

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