Are you in search of the best plumbing schools in Illinois? Search no more; we’ve got you covered.
This article fully reviews the best plumbing schools in Illinois, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.
To be a successful plumber, you must have specific education and knowledge.
Plumbers are typically educated at technical schools, community colleges, and apprenticeships that provide on-the-job training.
A one-year certificate program will equip you to install and repair plumbing systems. A two-year associate’s degree program may teach you relevant skills in pipefitting, basic electricity, pump system design, and essential heating.
The plumbing trade is a highly honorable profession that attracts people with exceptional work ethics and strong backs. The level of responsibility and dedication is rewarded with competitive pay.
Illinois has numerous options for those interested in a career as a plumber; this article will tell you all you need to know about plumbing schools in Illinois.
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Is Plumbing A Good Career Path in Illinois?
Illinois is one of the best states in the US for plumbers, and Chicago is one of the top cities. The average pay for a plumber in Illinois is $67,860, about $19,000 higher than the national average.
If you work in Chicago, the average yearly wage for plumbers rises to $71,160, ranking fourth among metropolitan areas.
The second reason why plumbing is a fantastic career choice is that you will be well-equipped for the rigors of the job once you have completed your classes and training. Before becoming a certified plumber, you must complete educational courses and have practical experience.
Are there Plumbing Schools in Illinois?
- Black Hawk College
- City College of Chicago – Kennedy-King
- Building and Fire Code Academy
- UA Local 130
- Lewis and Clark Community College
- Gateway Technical College
- Parkland College
- Triton College
- Southwestern Illinois College
- Ashworth College
- Technology Center of DuPage
- Elgin Community College (ECC)
- Richard J. Daley College
- Harper College
- Carl Sandburg College
How To Become A Licensed Plumber in Illinois?
The local union in Chicago, Illinois, does not offer a journeyman or master certification in the plumbing profession; candidates instead advance from a plumber’s apprentice to a licensed plumber.
The following prerequisites must be satisfied to become a licensed plumber in Illinois:
- Own US citizenship or pursue it.
- Have worked for at least four years as an apprentice plumber in Illinois.
- Show evidence of experience.
- Possess at least two years of high school (or its equivalent) experience and have finished a plumbing course at a college, university, or trade school that has been approved.
- Complete the Application for Examination for a Plumber’s License.
Although the state only requires four years to become a fully licensed plumber, union members must serve a five-year apprenticeship. Over 1,200 hours of those five years are spent in school.
How To Renew Your Plumbing License in Illinois
Licenses must be renewed online by April 30th, following the date of issuance. Illinois state law requires all applicants, whether or not they have children, to attest whether they are behind on child support payments.
The application will not be authorized unless this information is filled in.
How Much Do Plumbers Make in Illinois?
The average plumber’s salary in Illinois is $61,615, with a usual range of $53,372 to $70,175.
Salary ranges can vary greatly based on the city and many other essential aspects, such as schooling, certifications, additional talents, and the number of years you have spent in your industry.
How Long is Plumbing School in Illinois?
Before beginning your plumbing training, you must complete at least two years of high school or the equivalent, with a strong background in mathematics.
An apprenticeship and a plumbing school are the first steps in a plumbing education. The plumbing vocational school and the apprenticeship programs last for about four years. After completing the apprenticeship, you must ace the necessary Illinois plumbing test.
The amount of time you spend training will increase if you decide to do additional preparation for the exam. You become a certified plumber after passing the exam.
15 Best Plumbing Schools in Illinois
After thorough research, rankings, reviews, and value offers, we have curated a list of the best plumbing schools in Illinois, including the requirements, cost & how to apply.
#1. Black Hawk College
Skilled plumbers are in short supply. With an aging infrastructure and a dwindling trade workforce, plumbers have never had a greater need. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbing jobs are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate over the next ten years. With the proper training, you could enter and build a scalable career in this high-demand field.
If you want to be a plumber, the Foundations of Plumbing course will teach you fundamental, job-ready skills in the plumbing and piping industries. In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to work on modern plumbing systems from in-depth course material developed by industry experts and employers. After completing the course, you will have the specialized skills and technical knowledge required to start a career in plumbing.
#2. City College of Chicago – Kennedy-King
The Kennedy-Plumbing King’s and Fire Protection certificate programs prepare students for the Illinois State Plumbing Exam.
The school will cover the following: introduction to plumbing; plumbing tools and equipment; plumbing codes; basic plumbing-related math; introduction to fire protection; the home plumbing system; and vocational, physical training courses I, II, and III in theory and practice. Graduates will be eligible for entry-level jobs as pipelayers, plumber’s aides, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
The Plumbing and Fire Protection Basic Certificate program exposes students to plumbing and sprinkler systems via theory and hands-on experience. After completing the program, graduates will be qualified to work as a plumber’s assistant or a fitter’s assistant.
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#3. UA Local 130
The Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) of Local 130 prepares adults for entry into the plumbing industry through classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Apprentices will learn to read blueprints and install and maintain underground water supply, stormwater, sewer drainage, fixtures, vent piping, and other plumbing systems in commercial and residential structures.
The first three years of training will consist of four days on the job and one day in the classroom, with the latter two years requiring five days of on-the-work training in the daytime with some night school classes from September to June.
The authorized Apprenticeship Program graduates will be qualified to apply for an Illinois Journeyman license.
#4. Building and Fire Code Academy
The Building and Fire Code Academy’s Plumbing Apprenticeship Education (PAE) program prepares people for the Illinois State Licensing Exam and their roles and duties in their plumbing careers.
Through classroom lectures and on-the-job training, the following topics will be covered: State of Illinois Law, State of Illinois Plumbing Code, Practical Application of Codes and Standards, Blueprint Reading and Drawing, Construction Document Production and Permits; Hydrodynamic Theory and First Aid and Safety Procedures.
Industry Updates, Construction and Plumbing Mathematics and Geometry, Hands-on Shop Instruction and Practical Assembly Techniques, and Illinois Plumbing License Preparation are other topics covered.
Two new apprentices are accepted each year. For 15 weeks each semester, students meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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#5. Lewis and Clark Community College
Lewis and Clark Community College is a two-year college with numerous campuses, a river research center, a training center, and community education centers spread over its more than 220,000-person college district, which spans seven counties.
The college has something for everyone, including College for Kids, a nationally approved dual credit program for high school students, GED completion, and a substantial workforce training program partnered with the Houston Area Safety Council.
Several schools and universities on the Lewis & Clark campus provide bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
#6. Gateway Technical College
Gateway Technical College offers the most excellent plumbing apprenticeship and training programs in the state. With Gateway Technical College, you will receive the best technical education in Chicago and have several employment options.
The labs, classes, and campus are all relatively modern, and you will feel welcomed and cared for once you arrive at the institution.
The plumbing program has over 8,000 hours of hands-on instruction, lectures, training, and laboratories. This apprenticeship program is ideal for a prosperous career.
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#7. Parkland College
Plumbing & Water Supply is centrally available through Parkland College’s construction trades program. Parkland College offers an online option for its plumbing associate degree program.
A team of professionals designs plumbing programs at Parkland College to provide you with effective web-based learning. Instructors/mentors actively participate in your online learning experience, answering questions and concerns and encouraging and motivating you to succeed.
#8. Triton College
Triton College is a higher education school committed to student success. The school provides exceptional educational value in a student-centered atmosphere rich in academic and cultural resources, career-oriented learning opportunities, and engaging social activities.
If you enroll in Triton’s Plumbing program, you will be in charge of installing and repairing pipes in commercial and residential settings. This comprehensive curriculum covers everything from code compliance and blueprints to electrical systems and exploring new technologies.
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#9. Southwestern Illinois College
SWIC provides affordable plumbing program alternatives, including online and accelerated courses, for students looking to transfer to a university or prepare for a career.
Articulation agreements between public and private colleges and universities ensure that students pursuing a bachelor’s degree have a smooth transfer process.
Southwestern Illinois College offers two plumbing degree programs. It’s a large public college in a large suburb.
#10. Ashworth College
Ashworth’s Plumbing Program is jam-packed with lessons that will teach you the fundamentals of plumbing in as little as four months. You’ll learn about bathroom and kitchen layout design, plumbing math, plumbing codes, abbreviations and symbols used in architectural drawings, and more. Start our plumbing program whenever you want and study at your own pace.
Your plumbing courses include plumbing textbooks and study guides in detail.
Guides to job hunting and time management
Invitations to live events with career professionals
Instructor supervision and unlimited tutoring
Online, open-book exams
Get the job you want, doing something you enjoy. Because it is online, you can learn anywhere, at any time, and at your own pace.
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#11. Technology Center of DuPage
The Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) provides 20 career and technical education (CTE) programs to high school juniors and seniors in the DuPage County area as part of their high school curriculum.
Its mission is to provide an educational environment that supports and encourages individual learning styles, promotes academic growth, and assists students in discovering their potential.
TCD students may earn dual credit (college credit earned while in high school) and high school credit by enrolling at no cost with the college during the designated timeframe. A reading or math placement test may be required.
Dual credit is available at the College of DuPage, Kishwaukee Community College, and Joliet Junior College (depending on the TCD program).
#12. Elgin Community College (ECC)
Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive, fully accredited public institution named one of the top 150 community colleges in the United States by the Aspen Institute. ECC has something for everyone, from career and technical education to university transfer programs, continuing education classes, childcare, and community arts center events.
At ECC, you’ll be part of a warm community of faculty and staff who are invested in your success. Our 11,000 students and more than 66,000 alumni come from various backgrounds, ages, career interests, and goals, but they all share a strong sense of community and a dedication to success. The US Department of Education has designated ECC as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
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#13. Richard J. Daley College
Richard J. Daley College empowers a diverse community in plumbing to achieve its goals through innovative education and programming in a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for lifelong learning.
In as little as four months, the Richard J. Deley Plumbing Program will teach you the fundamentals of plumbing. You’ll learn about bathroom and kitchen layout design, plumbing math, plumbing codes, architectural abbreviations and symbols, and more. You can begin our plumbing program at any time and at your own pace.
Daley College provides associate degrees, certificate programs, free adult education, and special interest courses.
#14. Harper College
Harper College is now one of the nation’s premier community colleges, serving over 35,000 students annually in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
The Plumbing program at Harper College gives students a rewarding career and transfers them to four-year universities. Harper University provides associate certificates in plumbing programs.
Choosing a plumbing area of interest is one of the first steps that should be taken. While some students are very clear about what they want to study, others benefit from considering all their options before deciding.
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#15. Carl Sandburg College
Sandburg College is committed to meeting western and central Illinois’s educational needs. The college has served the area for 50 years with The Higher Learning Commission accreditation.
The goal is to improve individuals and communities through plumbing education and strive to give individuals the ability to think critically, realize their human potential, and become a constructive force in their environment. The college’s mission is to provide opportunities for success to all students interested in plumbing.
The program will help you get where you want to go, with over 40 degrees and certificate programs. Suppose you wish to enter the workforce quickly or earn your two-year degree and continue your education at another college or university. In that case, Carl Sandburg College has a program for you.
How Much Do Plumbing Schools Cost in Illinois?
A plumbing training program online costs between $800 and $1,000. You can enroll in the Penn Foster plumbing technology program for $868 or Ashworth College for $800.
Another alternative is to enroll in a certificate program in plumbing that costs $1,250-$3,000, while AC/C Tech in Indianapolis offers a five-course program in plumbing technology for $1,250.
The cost of an associate’s degree in plumbing technology ranges from $3,000 to $23,000.
Plumbing apprenticeships range from $0 to $1,000 and last 4-5 years.
After completing your studies, you can apply for state licensing as a plumber. The cost of obtaining a license ranges between $75 and $300 and takes 1-2 years.
Plumbing Schools In Illinois FAQs
How long is the plumbing trade school in Illinois?
The plumbing vocational school and procedure take about four years to finish. After completing the apprenticeship, you must pass the mandatory Illinois plumbing exams.
What are academic disciplines required for plumbing?
There are no required subjects for plumbing; nonetheless, it is advised that you take the following: English. Mathematical Literacy OR Pure Mathematics Orientation in Life
In Illinois, can you handle your plumbing?
Plumbers in Illinois must not only be licensed, but they must also be insured to obtain their license. Plumbers in Illinois are required to carry at least general liability insurance. Plumbers running their businesses must also show proof of workers’ compensation insurance.
Conclusion
Plumbing is still a viable career path for students. Although the approach to plumbing might be complex, a trade school can help you start the business. The schools are less expensive, have shorter courses, and allow you to earn money immediately.
Trade school skills, hands-on experience, and training can be applied to apprenticeships.
References
- generalcontractorlicenseguide.com–
- illinoisplumbingconsultants.com
- DPH.Illinois.gov
- www.salary.com–
- www.howtobecomeaplumber.org
