Discover the best plumbing schools in San Antonio for quality education and training. Find top-rated institutions and kickstart your plumbing career at the best plumbing schools in San Antonio.
Plumbing system installation and maintenance for residential and commercial buildings necessitate knowledge and dedication.
According to Construction Coverage, Google searches for plumbers are at an all-time high, the highest in five years.
However, many young adults hesitate to enter this and other skilled trades. Plumbers earn above-average wages and set their working hours.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average plumber earns more than $56,000 annually.
The industry is expected to add 20,900 new jobs in the next decade. Plumbers earn an above-average salary of $95,544 in some states.
As more experienced professionals near retirement age, it may be time to heed the advice of leading millionaires and politicians and learn a trade.
Because the industry has embraced technology, you may want to combine your interest in computers and digital equipment with the technical skills you’ll learn in an accredited plumbing program or apprenticeship.
Plumbing programs are available in high schools. If you are serious about a career in plumbing, such courses are essential to advanced studies and apprenticeship opportunities.
You could even earn college credit to further your education in the field. Apprenticeship programs are available if you are an adult considering a career change.
You will experience the profession’s rewards and make a life-long commitment to the plumbing field through theory and extensive practical work.
If you are interested in finding out about the best plumbing schools in San Antonio, then keep reading.
See Also: 15 Best Plumbing Schools in San Diego
Table of Contents
Are there Plumbing Schools in San Antonio?
There are few plumbing schools in San Antonio. These plumbing schools are:
- St Philip’s College – MLK Campus
- PHCC Texas
- Career Technical and Educational Center
- Ashworth College
- University of Texas San Antonio
- Coppera Plumbing; Commercial Services
- UA Local 142
- Winn’s
How Does One Become a Plumber in San Antonio?
The following are the steps to becoming a licensed plumber in San Antonio:
Step 1: Finish your high school education.
The first and most crucial step is to obtain a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
If you want to pursue apprenticeship and job opportunities, you MUST pass technical subjects such as mathematics and sciences with distinction.
Step 2: Obtain Vocational Training
A college degree is not required to become a licensed plumber in Texas.
However, courses offered by community colleges and technical schools are critical if you want to get into a good apprenticeship program.
Short-term courses typically take six months to a year to complete. The course covers piping, valves, water supply, drainage systems, and venting.
Step 3: Finish an Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship programs provide comprehensive training that will prepare you to become a professional plumber.
Plumbing unions and other contractors, such as the United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, provide such apprenticeship programs.
A typical apprenticeship program combines theory with paid on-the-job training. A typical apprenticeship program lasts 4-5 years.
Step 4: Obtain Your License
After completing the apprenticeship program, you can begin working as a journeyman plumber, gas plumber, or service plumber in the city of San Antonio.
However, before you begin practicing, you must first obtain a license from the appropriate authorities.
Before you can get your license, you must pass a three-part exam administered by the Texas State of Plumbing Examiners, one written and two hands-on.
Before taking this exam, you must have your high school diploma or GED certificate, a current Texas plumbers’ apprentice registration, a valid plumber experience document, a completed license exam/application form, and the applicable fee.
Step 5: Look for work.
After passing the exam in accordance with the state’s requirements, you can begin looking for work.
The following are the licensing requirements in the city of San Antonio:
- Pass a three-part exam-one written, two hands-on
- GED or high school diploma
- A current Texas plumber’s apprentice registration A valid plumber’s experience document
- a completed license exam/application form
- Before taking the exam, there is a fee that must be paid.
What are the Best Plumbing Schools in San Antonio?
Below are the best plumbing schools in San Antonio:
#1 St Philip’s College – MLK Campus
St Philip’s College’s plumbing trades certificate program was developed in collaboration with local plumbing contractors and a conglomerate of contractors who also serve as an advisory council for the program.
The curriculum includes laboratory and classroom work to prepare students to enter the plumbing industry as entry-level plumbers.
An introduction to the construction industry, an introduction to the plumbing trade, OSHA regulations for the construction industry, residential construction, plumbing, and pipefitting equipment and safety, commercial construction and fixture setting, plumbing maintenance and repair, and essential blueprint reading for plumbers are among the topics covered in this course.
The National Center for Construction Education and Research has certified the program and faculty (NCCER).
Graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. They can join a local apprenticeship to gain the practice hours required to test for a journeyman license with the State Board of Plumbing.
#2 PHCC Texas
PHCC’s plumbing apprenticeship training program takes a novel approach to prepare young adults for careers in the plumbing industry.
Students in the CEF program must attend classes four days per quarter for the entire year. Each class will last ten hours.
The program is only available at night. Students will spend a significant portion of the program preparing for the Journeyman or Tradesman exam in the state-of-the-art training lab and model house.
Furthermore, students can use an additional 1000 OJT hours toward the licensing exam application requirements.
Because the Department has approved the program of Labor, students will be eligible for licensing incentives from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Graduates can take the Master’s exam one year after receiving their Journeyman license. The apprenticeship is for four years.
See Also: 15 Best Plumbing Schools in Michigan
#3 Career Technical and Education Center
The Career Technical and Education Center plumbing program trains high school students (grades 9 to 12) for entry-level plumbing jobs or post-secondary construction degrees.
Identifying and using power tools, applying basic plumbing mathematics and plumbing drawing, and identifying, fitting, and using plastic, copper, cast iron, carbon steel, and corrugated stainless pipe will all be covered in theory and hands-on training.
Although the program lasts four years, students are not required to complete all four years. Those who want to work in plumbing are encouraged to complete the course.
Students participating for two years will be awarded a Plumbing Business and Industry Endorsement.
The third year will teach you the knowledge and skills needed to work as a plumbing apprentice, building maintenance technician, or supervisor.
Students will also be trained to pursue post-secondary education in Construction Management, Architecture, or Engineering at the end of this year.
Additionally, the final year promotes work-based learning and allows students to earn credit while completing a paid or unpaid internship.
#4 Ashworth College
If you cannot attend in-person classes, you should consider enrolling in an online plumbing program.
Ashworth offers a plumbing course that you can complete online and at your own pace. If you work quickly, you can complete the course in as little as four months.
You will learn everything you need to know to be successful when you start your career.
See Also: 15 Best Plumbing Schools in Connecticut
#5 University of Texas San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a Foundations of Plumbing course.
The course will teach you all the essentials and fundamentals you need to know to complete the job correctly.
This course can be completed in your own time, with the possibility of finishing all 145 class hours in about a year.
#6 Coppera Plumbing; Commercial Services
Coppera provides education and training for those interested in commercial plumbing in Austin and San Antonio.
For a full year, apprentices attend four ten-hour classes per quarter. First-year certification is awarded after the fourth quarter.
Also, students will still be required to attend classes for four years.
See Also: 12+ Best Plumbing Schools in Florida
#7 UA Local 142
Starting in September and ending in May, apprentices in this program will attend school two nights a week for HVAC, pipefitting, or plumbing.
They will then work in their trade during the day to gain on-the-job experience while being compensated.
You will be able to learn from the best by working alongside experienced Journeymen.
If you are not yet ready to be an apprentice, you can begin as a helper, assisting Journeymen and apprentices on the job. You will continue to be paid as you prepare for the apprenticeship.
#8 Winn’s
Plumbing apprenticeships are available at four levels at Winn’s. You can advance through the levels at your own pace and are not required to attend live classes.
After completing the application process, you can begin the program.
To begin the program, you must first register and obtain your DOL apprentice number.
Also Read-Â 10+ Best Plumbing Schools in Chicago
How Long are Plumbing Schools in San Antonio?
Traditionally, learning and being qualified in a trade like plumbing requires years of college, followed by a few years of training and apprenticeships.
There are numerous paths one can take to become a qualified plumber.
If you are pursuing an NVQ Diploma Level 2, it will typically take you 1 to 2 years to obtain all necessary plumbing qualifications. An apprenticeship typically lasts between two and five years.
See Also-Â 15 Best Plumbing Schools in Minnesota
How Much are Plumbing Schools in San Antonio?
Technical schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs that provide on-the-job training are used to train plumbers.
According to Education Portal, a one-year certificate program in plumbing, for instance, trains students to install and repair plumbing systems. At the same time, a two-year associate’s degree program might also include related coursework in pipefitting, fundamental electricity, pump system design, and fundamental heating.
Advanced plumbing, pipefitting, and heating and gas technology careers may result from this additional coursework.
Despite the longer completion times of apprenticeship training programs, students may be paid while gaining job experience.
Below are the typical costs:
- An online plumbing training course costs range from $800 to $1,000.
- Plumbing certificate programs range in price from $1,250 to $3,000.
- A plumbing technology associate’s degree can cost between $3,000 and $23,000.
- Plumbing apprenticeships last 4-5 years and cost between $0 and $1,000.
- State licensing for plumbers lasts for one to two years and costs $75 to $300.
- The cost of certification through the American Society of Plumbing Engineers ranges from $300 to $625, depending on the person’s membership and prior employment.
How Much Do Plumbers Make in San Antonio?
The average annual salary for a Plumber in San Antonio is $45,932 as of September 9, 2022. A quick salary calculator works out to about $22.08 per hour if you need a quick salary calculator. This equates to $883 per week or $3,827 per month.
While ZipRecruiter reports salaries as high as $76,404 and as low as $22,340, the majority of Plumber salaries in San Antonio currently range from $37,531 (25th percentile) to $54,510 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) earning $65,680 per year.
The average pay range for a Plumber varies greatly (up to $16,979), implying that there may be numerous opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Conclusion
Being a plumber is an excellent career path.
You must take several steps to get there, and they all begin with receiving the proper education.
Examine some of the options in San Antonio, Texas that can help you prepare for your new career and select the best option.
FAQs
What license do you need to be a plumber in San Antonio?
Plumbing licenses are divided into four categories: Tradesman Plumber-Limited, Journeyman, Master, and Plumbing Inspector.Â
You must fulfill all eligibility requirements, take and pass an examination, and pay a fee to obtain a license.
How much does a master plumber make per hour in San Antonio?
The average annual salary for a Master Plumber in San Antonio is $51,980 as of September 8, 2022. If you need a quick salary calculator, that costs about $24.99 per hour.
Is plumbing a promising career in San Antonio?
Plumber employment is expected to grow by more than 14 percent by 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and job opportunities are expected to be plentiful. That means plumbers are scarce and in high demand.
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