Best institutions to study Plumbing Technology/Plumber
A program that prepares individuals to practice as licensed plumbers by applying technical knowledge and skills to lay out, assemble, install, and maintain piping fixtures and systems for steam, natural gas, oil, hot water, heating, cooling, drainage, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial processing systems in home and business environments.
150 U.S. institutions graduated 3,426 Plumbing Technology/Plumber students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0503, 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 Technology/Plumber programs
A program that prepares individuals to practice as licensed plumbers by applying technical knowledge and skills to lay out, assemble, install, and maintain piping fixtures and systems for steam, natural gas, oil, hot water, heating, cooling, drainage, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial processing systems in home and business environments. Includes instruction in source determination, water distribution, waster removal, pressure adjustment, basic physics, technical mathematics, blueprint reading, pipe installation, pumps, welding and soldering, plumbing inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Plumbing Technology/Plumber program prepares individuals for a career as licensed plumbers. This program focuses on the technical knowledge and skills required to install, maintain, and repair piping systems in residential and commercial settings. Students will learn to work with various systems, including water supply, drainage, and heating systems.
In this program, students gain essential skills in areas such as blueprint reading, pipe installation, and plumbing inspection. Coursework covers critical topics including technical mathematics, welding, soldering, and applicable plumbing codes and standards, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary for successful plumbing careers.
Credentials awarded
What Plumbing Technology/Plumber graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,806 graduates / yr · 87 institutions53%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,369 graduates / yr · 66 institutions40%
- Associate's degree133 graduates / yr · 21 institutions3.9%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years74 graduates / yr · 6 institutions2.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks44 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.3%
Graduates over time
Plumbing Technology/Plumber completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,444 |
| 2013 | 1,541 |
| 2014 | 1,577 |
| 2015 | 1,400 |
| 2016 | 1,405 |
| 2017 | 1,377 |
| 2018 | 1,559 |
| 2019 | 1,617 |
| 2020 | 1,705 |
| 2021 | 1,906 |
| 2022 | 2,208 |
| 2023 | 2,196 |
| 2024 | 2,780 |
| 2025 | 3,426 |
Top 50 institutions for Plumbing Technology/Plumber, 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Florida Institute of Technology Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 272 | 83% | $29,731 | $35,252 |
| 2 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 223 | 28% | — | — |
| 3 | Apex Technical School Long Island City, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 181 | 78% | $17,771 | $29,497 |
| 4 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 131 | 54% | $9,377 | $19,156 |
| 5 | Summit College San Bernardino, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 95 | 62% | $25,402 | — |
| 6 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 89 | 21% | — | — |
| 7 | Porter & Chester Institute Bridgeport, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 83 | 45% | $18,216 | — |
| 8 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 81 | 42% | — | $40,030 |
| 9 | Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences Paterson, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 68 | 81% | $23,023 | $24,973 |
| 10 | Rio Salado College Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 65 | 9% | — | — |
| 11 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 64 | 56% | — | — |
| 12 | Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 63 | 53% | $17,520 | $43,556 |
| 13 | Dixie Technical College Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 77% | — | — |
| 14 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 56 | 35% | — | — |
| 15 | Pennco Tech - Bristol Bristol, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 55 | 84% | $22,272 | $31,668 |
| 16 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 44% | — | — |
| 17 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 54 | 35% | — | — |
| 18 | Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 84% | — | — |
| 19 | Adult and Continuing Education - BCTS Hackensack, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 91% | — | $30,184 |
| 20 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 41 | 65% | — | $79,589 |
| 21 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 40 | 65% | — | — |
| 22 | Fort Hays State University - Northwest Kansas Technical College Goodland, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 73% | — | — |
| 23 | Berk Trade and Business School Long Island City, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 95% | $15,664 | $22,660 |
| 24 | Professional Technical Institution Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 83% | $7,068 | — |
| 25 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 40% | — | — |
| 26 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 34% | — | — |
| 27 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 34 | 20% | — | — |
| 28 | Florida International Training Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 81% | $53,875 | — |
| 29 | Perry Technical Institute Yakima, WAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 79% | $24,069 | — |
| 30 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 46% | — | — |
| 31 | Chabot College Hayward, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 47% | — | — |
| 32 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 29 | 37% | — | — |
| 33 | Davis Technical College Kaysville, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 57% | — | — |
| 34 | Orleans Technical College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 90% | $19,184 | $35,730 |
| 35 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 24% | — | — |
| 36 | Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden Hamden, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 32% | $21,819 | — |
| 37 | Ogden - Weber Technical College Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 53% | — | — |
| 38 | Union County Vocational Technical School Scotch Plains, NJPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 99% | — | — |
| 39 | East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 68% | — | — |
| 40 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RIPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 23 | 60% | $36,659 | $40,744 |
| 41 | Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 59% | — | — |
| 42 | Washburn Institute of Technology Topeka, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 68% | — | — |
| 43 | Southern Maine Community College South Portland, MEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 22 | 28% | — | — |
| 44 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 30% | — | — |
| 45 | Erie 1 BOCES West Seneca, NYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 96% | — | — |
| 46 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 25% | — | — |
| 47 | Orange Technical College - South Campus Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 19 | 35% | — | — |
| 48 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 49% | — | — |
| 49 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 50% | — | — |
| 50 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 43% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services field (CIP 46.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states & territories
Where Plumbing Technology/Plumber graduates come from. Each state links to all Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2152, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Plumbing Technology/Plumber program can pursue careers as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 44,000 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $62,970, and typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0503
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 |
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SOC 47-1011 | $79,920 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~74,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners SOC 47-4071 | $49,880 | +7.6% Faster than average | ~2,900 | 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 Technology/Plumber 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).
- Pipefitting/CIP 46.0502
Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter 698 graduates / yr21 institutions - Plumbing and Related Water Supply ServicesCIP 46.0599limited data63 graduates / yr2 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 is the duration of the Plumbing Technology/Plumber program?+
The program typically awards credentials that require at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication, among others.
What types of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
Graduates can work as plumbers, pipefitters, or in supervisory roles within the construction trades.
Is there a demand for plumbers in the job market?+
Yes, there is a strong demand with about 44,000 annual job openings projected.
What is the CIP code for Plumbing Technology/Plumber?+
Plumbing Technology/Plumber is CIP 46.0503 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: A program that prepares individuals to practice as licensed plumbers by applying technical knowledge and skills to lay out, assemble, install, and maintain piping fixtures and systems for steam, natural gas, oil, hot water, heating, cooling, drainage, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial processing systems in home and business environments. Includes instruction in source determination, water distribution, waster removal, pressure adjustment, basic physics, technical mathematics, blueprint reading, pipe installation, pumps, welding and soldering, plumbing inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
How many institutions offer Plumbing Technology/Plumber programs?+
150 U.S. institutions reported Plumbing Technology/Plumber graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states & territories, awarding 3,426 credentials in the year. That is 81.7% of all Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services graduates.
How much do Plumbing Technology/Plumber graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters occupation, which Plumbing Technology/Plumber most directly leads to, pays a median of $63,800 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services field report median earnings of $35,252 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card