Many people feel that plumbing training is not something that is worth spending money on. They feel that they won’t get the worth of the cost spent on learning it, but the time is to rethink the strategies now.
In the year 2004, a study was conducted, and it was found out that on an average, the hourly pay for the guys who were involved in laying pipes was 13.68. Since that time, the rate has only shot up. In fact, 9.19 per hour was earned by the ones who were new to it; who had just started their plumbing training. The top 10% earned more than 25.07 per hour for this job.
It is interesting to note that these figures given above relate to those plumbers who are working with plumbing or such related companies, either as trainees or as full-time workers. Those plumbers who are self employed and they work for themselves, can earn a huge hourly income of nearly 130. Yes, these people need to manage costs, since they have to bear the overhead expenses and also have to pay the workers who work under them, but even after the deduction of all those expenses, the amount in hand would actually be substantial enough!
Based on which industry they are into, the wages earned by plumbers vary after they have successfully completed their training. For instance, if they get employment is a natural gas distribution company, they would get a handsome hourly wage rate of 23.86. The ones who are involved in the construction of office premises can earn an hourly wage rate of 21.55. The plumbers who work for contractors of building can easily fetch an hourly wage rate of 19.85, and those who are involved in the utility system construction can make around 18.29 in an hour. The lowest hourly wage rate goes to the workers of the local government, which is 16.30.
Those apprentices, who have still not fully completed their training, and are working just to learn the process of it, can earn about half of what the experienced plumbers earn. Their wages improve as they learn new skills while on the job. After they have attained enough knowledge of the work, their pay is equated with the pay of the experienced plumbers in that area of specialization.
The top ten schools in the U.S. and Canada where plumbing training can be attained are mentioned below:
- Everest Institute (Houston, Texas)
- Wyotech (Fremont, Calif.)
- National Institute of technology (Long Beach Texas)
- Pennco Tech (Bristol Pa)
- Vatterott College (It has 2 campuses in Missouri)
- Vancouver Career College (It has campuses at 7 places in British Columbia, Canada)
- Eastwick College (Patterson, New Jersey)
- Professional Career Development Institute (this is an online mode of learning)
- Penn Foster Career School (Even this offer a distant, web-based learning facility)
A plumbing training at New England Institute of technology can offer a Bachelor and an Associates degree in the technology of plumbing. Various works related to plumbing like pipe fitting, drafting, draining, etc. are taught to them. Upon completion of the course, the person gets a certified degree to work as a plumber.

If youre thinking that the cost of that trade school, and its plumbing training, might not be worth the cost of attending, think again.
In the United States the median hourly pay for pipe layers was 13.68 and that was for the last year the wages were studied 2004. The wages have gone up some since that time. The lowest ten percent, those just starting out their on-the-job plumbing training, made only 9.19 per hour on average, while the highest 10 percent earned over 25.07.
Whats important to keep in mind about these figures, too, is that these are for all plumbers who, either in the midst of training, or having completed it, work for other plumbing or related companies. Plumbers who work for themselves may earn as much as 130 per hour. Of course, these are generally folks who are paying the overhead costs of the business, and perhaps people who work under them so its not all gravy.
Plumbing employees, once training has been completed, start out with some variation in wages depending on which industry they work in. If they are employed in natural gas distribution, for example, they make the highest hourly wage 23.86. Those employed in the area of construction of non-residential buildings earn a median U.S. wage of 21.55 per hour. Plumbers working for contractors in the building equipment industry make approximately 19.85 per hour, while those in construction of utility systems earn about 18.29 per hour.
Local government pays the lowest of these categories – 16.30 per hour.
Apprentices, those still taking part in on-the-job plumbing training earn approximately half of the going media wage for experienced plumbers, pipe layers, steam fitters or pipe fitters. As their skills improve their wages increase. After a predetermined waiting period, these plumbing training apprentices receive benefits equal to their experienced co-workers.
The ten best known schools in the United States and Canada that offer plumbing training are Everest Institute in Houston Texas, National Institute of Technology in Long Beach Texas, Wyotech in Fremont, Calif., New England Institute of Technology in Warwick Rhode Island, Pennco Tech in Bristol Pa., Vatterott Colleges with two campuses in Missouri, Vancouver Career College with seven different locations in Canadas British Columbia, Eastwick Colleges in Patterson New Jersey, the online Professional Career Development Institute PCDI and Penn Foster Career School which is also entirely distance learning and Web-based.
At New England Institute of Technology, for example, the plumbing training can lead to either an Associates or Bachelors degree in plumbing technology. Students learn the latest technology in heating and plumbing, pipe fitting, drafting, blueprint reading, draining, vent, waste management, and troubleshooting. Completion of the plumbing training program at NEIT qualified the plumber to work as a pipe fitter, a plumbing contractor, or a water supply technician.
At PCDI you can learn at your own pace online or in print, and its monthly payment tuition program helps make your plumbing training affordable.

Become a plumber, why not? There has never been a better time to enrol on one of the many plumbing training courses available throughout the UK. There is a general shortage of skilled plumbers in the UK and their skills are in high demand so your earnings potential has never been higher, a fully qualified plumber can earn up to £40,000 per year!

With the availability of purpose built training centres its never been easier to start a course and be on your way to becoming a plumber.

These intensive courses will train you to the level of a fully qualified plumber in as little as 6 weeks, you could actually be working as a self employed plumber when you successfully complete your course, and it does not matter what your previous job experiences are the training instructors will teach you everything you need to start on your new career.

Plumbing courses have little if any entry requirements other than an eagerness to learn your newly chosen career path. The average cost of these courses are between £3000 – £6000 which is a considerable amount but you should consider it an investment in your future and you should easily recoup these costs when you start working as a qualified plumber.

The plumbing courses take you through everything you will need to know to become a fully qualified plumber from the theory of plumbing through to putting what you’ve learned into practise. This process really helps you to quickly absorb what you are being taught, this is the unique way of learning with these intensive plumbing courses.

Plumbing courses are normally Monday to Friday am – 5pm and right from day one you will be learning the jobs that plumbers do day in day out, so when you complete your plumbing training you will be capable of tackling any job that may come your way once your in the workplace.

On successful completion of your plumbing course you will of gained the national recognised City & Guilds(6129) Plumbing Certificate. The next step to becoming fully qualified is to have a practical assessment of the plumbing skills you have learned, this will take place at a place of work by a City & Guilds examiner. If you pass this assessment you will have awarded to you the NVQ Level 2 Plumbing Diploma, you could now consider yourself a fully qualified plumber. (check with your plumbing course provider if they can arrange a place for you to be assessed.)