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Plumber

Plumber programs in the United States

These are national ranges — not a local paycheck. Open a state for tuition and first-year wage that belong to a real market.

Updated Apr 2026

BLS Occupational Employment — Plumbers — $61,550

U.S. median annual wage (most recent OEWS) · May 2026

Compare by state

Typical paths nationwide

These are program types, not a specific local. Paid apprenticeships are listed first.

01

PHCC / contractor plumber apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$0–$3,000

Employer-sponsored. Some classroom fees.

First-year wage

$15–$20/hr

Paid helper / first-year scale.

Term

4 years

Steps to local journeyman plumber rates

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors chapters·Multiple states

Source: PHCC chapter program pages (composite) (2026-03)

02

UA plumber / pipefitter JATC

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0

Paid OJT. Related instruction typically covered.

First-year wage

$16–$23/hr

Usually 40–50% of local journeyman plumber scale.

Term

4–5 years · ~8,000 hours

Plumber median roughly $60k nationally; much higher in dense metros

United Association local JATCs·Nationwide

Source: UA / Apprenticeship.gov plumber occupation (2026-04)

03

Public technical college plumbing certificate

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$5,000–$16,000

In-state certificate range.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid classroom. Entry after completion often $17–$23/hr.

Term

9–18 months

National plumber median around $60k

Community & technical colleges·Nationwide

Source: College Scorecard plumbing / pipefitting programs (2026-02)

Other U.S. comparisons

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