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California has more plumbers than any other state in the nation, and even more are needed. Learning how to do the job takes time and effort, but the Golden State has what you need to get started.
The constant and growing demand for this essential workforce means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off. Ten states in the United States collectively account for 61% of the entire U.S. construction market, according to Research and Markets, and the state of California is one of them.
Also, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 13% growth rate in California for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters as compared with 5% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are thousands of plumbing jobs in California posted on Indeed.com and Zip Recruiter.
We’ve got the information on the training you need to find your place in this expanding workforce.
Accredited Plumber Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.” Also, some craft workers enter apprenticeship programs after working as a helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including plumbing.
It does seem that most people entering the plumbing industry in California learn on-the-job. Formal education is not required by law in California to begin learning to perform plumbing work or even to become licensed, but it can help you land a job as a plumber apprentice. Also, educational experience can substitute for most of the experience required for plumbers in California to become licensed.
There are a lot of training programs in California. Several schools have aligned their curriculum with the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER).
NCCER lists the following programs on their website as accredited plumbing schools in California:
There are many other programs throughout the state at California Community Colleges. We list more of those below.
Several plumbing companies and trade organizations in California also offer NCCER accredited apprenticeship programs described in the apprentice section below.
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Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical or community college, you may want to speak with people in the field in your state. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some insist on a minimum amount of education. Other states have no educational requirements to get started, as in California. If the return on investment is not there in your state, it may make more sense to simply get an entry-level position and get on-the-job training rather than attending one of the plumber schools.
In terms of college education for plumbers, typically there is a range of degree and certificate programs. The time it takes to complete them and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common plumbing programs in California are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Diploma/Degree Program – one to two years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. Many plumbing professionals have some post-secondary training. However, very few choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking some kind of related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering, a Civil Engineering, or a construction management Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in California such as:
As stated earlier, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages, but if your interest lies in being a plumber or having your own plumbing business, a degree is not necessary.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Plumbing programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in plumbing, pipefitting, and related fields. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
Among the classes for a Plumbing Technology certificate or degree are:
Introduction to Plumbing Technology
Plumbing Blueprints and Codes
Drain, Waste and Venting Systems
Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Plumbing Fixtures and Appliance Installation
Other programs might add intermediate and advanced plumbing concepts, pipe fabrication, and welding technology fundamentals among other courses. Many include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification too.
Program graduates have the qualification of an apprentice plumber or pipefitter and are prepared to enter the workforce and continue learning under the direction of a licensed plumber.
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the school and program that are right for you.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at California community colleges on average is $1,997 per year for in-state students and $7,123 for out-of-state students. Some programs listed here can be upward of $15,000 just for tuition and $20,000 to $30,000 for off-campus living costs. There will be some variations in fees at each school, though, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
There are also always costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
At least one college in California has a free training program designed to give students the basic knowledge they need to get started as an entry-level plumber. Barstow Community College offers a nine-week tuition-free workforce development program to get participants work-ready quickly.
Program Length
As noted above, you can choose from a specialized certificate or a broader diploma or associate’s degree. The certificates can be as few as 12 credit hours (called units in California). Diploma or associate’s degree programs typically take one to two years; most apprenticeships take four to five years to complete.
Benefits
There are many benefits to getting some kind of formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. Many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or degree over one without credentials. Some trade school training can also give you an edge in the selection process for an apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you.
Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level plumbing jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salary. Penn Foster and Ashworth College are two of the most recognizable online plumbing programs. Bob Vila’s website and the CPA Accounting Institute for Success each list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.
If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes and the accredited programs listed above are pretty accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing industry in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. Plumbers have to learn a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems; troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; new installations involving running all water, gas and sewage lines; how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; plumbing code; and record keeping of work performed. And, of course, especially in residential work, customer service is key.
School Comparison: At a Glance
Many of the training schools listed above are part of the California College System. They offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans. The average community college acceptance rate in California is 83%.
Free | Non-credit workforce development | 9 weeks
Applied Technology & Skilled Trades Pathway | Apprenticeship Program | 144 hours/year
Kern Community College District — Bakersfield College
Plumbing Apprenticeship | Associate’s Degree | 60 units
Plumbing | Associate’s Degree | 60 units
Plumbing | Certificate | 28 units
Plumbing | Certificate | 10 units
Plumbing and Pipefitting Apprenticeship | Associate’s Degree | 5 years
Plumbing Technology (Apprenticeship) | Associate’s Degree | 5 years
Plumbing and Pipefitting Apprenticeship | Certificate | 5 years
Residential Plumbing Apprenticeship | Certificate | 5 years
Los Angeles Trade-Tech Community College
Plumbing | Associate’s Degree | 69 units
Plumbing | Certificate | 48 units
Plumbing: Construction Tech | Associate’s Degree | 58 units
Plumbing: Construction Tech | Certificate | 37 units
Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology | Associate’s Degree | 60 units
Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology | Certificate | 30 units
Mechanical Engineering Technology | Associate’s Degree | 34.5-40 units
Engineered Plumbing Systems | Certificate | 11.5 units
Steps for Enrollment in California
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online, in person or by mail. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Plumbing Career Requirements in California
As mentioned earlier, California does not have an educational requirement to legally perform entry-level plumbing work in the state, but does allow for college programs to count toward the required professional experience for contractor licensing. Entry-level professionals just need to meet employer expectations to get started, but they must work for a licensed plumbing contractor. To be eligible to become a licensed plumbing contractor, applicants must provide documentation of four years journeyman-level experience. That experience can be entirely hands-on, or up to three years of it can be in an approved college or vocational training program, but at least one year must be in the field. For a detailed explanation of California’s Plumber licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your California Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in California
Before paying for technical education and getting started in the plumbing field you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in California? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in California for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years : $54,600
Intermediate 2-4 years: $66,100
Senior 4-6 years: $71,200
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
As stated earlier the most common way to get the training you need to become a plumber is through an apprenticeship. Most apprenticeships are three to five years long and require you to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a C or better.
The Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of California (PHCC) has three apprenticeship programs — a Trainee Program offered to employers who perform residential and/or private commercial work, a State Approved Apprenticeship Program, and a Federally Approved Apprenticeship Program that is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) meaning it must be at least four years long and include at least 144 classroom hours for each of those four years.
Union plumbing apprenticeships are also offered in California through the United Association local union chapters — LU 460 Bakersfield, LU 114 Santa Barbara, LU 467 San Mateo, LU 62 Santa Cruz, LU 364 Colton, LU 342 Oakland, LU 246 Fresno, LU 250 Los Angeles, LU 159 Martinez, LU 228 Marysville, LU 442 Stockton, LU 582 Santa Ana, LU 398 Pomona, LU 447 Sacramento, LU 230 San Diego, LU 38 San Francisco, LU 393 San Jose, LU 403 San Luis Obispo, LU 343 Vallejo-Napa, and LU 484 Ventura.
They are five years long. Each year includes 1,700 to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 246 hours of classroom courses, including basics such as mathematics, science, drafting, welding and other trade-related courses. Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.
Many of the colleges listed above support the academics of union and nonunion apprenticeships.
Some companies will hire applicants who have had no previous training and provide the training themselves — creating an in-house apprenticeship. A pretty typical model of that is pairing a new employee with an experienced technician for the hands-on part of training and then requiring new hires to attend classes at night at a local community college or sometimes taught through the company itself. One example is the Bill Howe family of companies located in San Diego.
Other School Options
Accredited programs are far from your only option in California. There are so many other programs throughout the state to choose from that may be more accessible to you based on where you live. There are just too many to list them all here, but in addition to all those already mentioned each of the schools below has plumbing programs.
California has hundreds of college campuses across the state. If one of the schools above isn’t in your area, check this list to see where else you can look for plumber training in California.
You can find the training you need to excel in a career in plumbing in California. The opportunities are all around you!
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