Best institutions to study Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services
Any instructional program in plumbing and related water supply services not listed above.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 63 Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0599, a specialization of Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services (CIP 46.05), and leads most directly to the Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters occupation (BLS SOC 47-2152).
About Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs
Any instructional program in plumbing and related water supply services not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services program offers training in essential plumbing skills and techniques for those interested in a career in construction trades. This program is designed for individuals seeking to develop their expertise in plumbing and water supply systems, preparing them for various roles in the field.
Students will gain critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening. Coursework typically covers building and construction knowledge, mechanical systems, and customer service, equipping graduates with the practical skills needed for plumbing installation and maintenance.
Credentials awarded
What Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year62 graduates / yr · 1 institution98%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.6%
Graduates over time
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 57 |
| 2014 | 109 |
| 2015 | 79 |
| 2016 | 67 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 111 |
| 2019 | 204 |
| 2020 | 117 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 71 |
| 2025 | 63 |
Top 2 institutions for Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 20% | — |
| 2 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAssociate's | 1 | 29% | — |
Offered in 2 states
Where Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services graduates come from. Each state links to all Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | 62 | Arizona Western College62 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 | Metropolitan Community College Area1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2152, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 44,000 annual openings. The median wage for these occupations is $62,970, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0599
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfittersprimary SOC 47-2152 | $63,800 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~44,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
- Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
- Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
Tools and technology used
Other Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services (CIP 46.05).
- Plumbing Technology/CIP 46.0503
Plumber 3,426 graduates / yr150 institutions - Pipefitting/CIP 46.0502
Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter 698 graduates / yr21 institutions - Well Drilling/CIP 46.0504
Driller limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Blasting/
Blaster46.0505
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs →
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and more.
What is the job outlook for plumbing careers?+
The job outlook for plumbing careers is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.5%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are currently 2 colleges offering this program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services?+
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services is CIP 46.0599 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services (CIP 46.05). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in plumbing and related water supply services not listed above.
How many institutions offer Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 63 credentials in the year. That is 1.5% of all Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services graduates.
How much do Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters occupation, which Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services most directly leads to, pays a median of $63,800 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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