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We all need plumbers, and plumbers need extensive training to do the job right. There’s a lot to learn if you want to join this essential workforce, and training is accessible throughout the Sunflower State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 3% growth rate for plumbers in Kansas over the next decade, compared to a 2% growth rate nationwide.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. Plumbers are in high demand, with hundreds of plumbing jobs in Kansas posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started on your career path as a plumber in Kansas.
Accredited Kansas 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.”
Kansas doesn't offer plumbing licensing at the state level; instead, municipalities issue licenses at the local level. Typically, Kansas cities license journeyman and master plumbers. Those who wish to own their own plumbing business need to obtain a plumbing contractor license, but there is no state contractors licensing board.
Since Kansas favors local licensing by jurisdiction, there’s no statewide uniformity on license types, or how long it takes to complete training. For example, Wichita requires a two-year apprenticeship (one year of field experience and one year of plumbing trade school, or two years of experience and score 75% or better on an approved International Code Council or IAPMO Exam) before plumbers become eligible to take the journeyman licensing exam. In Topeka, apprentices need to complete two years of work experience and a minimum of 930 hours of classroom training to become eligible for the journeyman exam.
The following Kansas trade schools offer plumbing programs:
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park
Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka
Manhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan
Salina Tech in Salina
North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) in Beloit and Hays
Note: Wichita Area Technical College merged with Wichita State University in 2018 to form the Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech). However, WSU Tech does not currently offer a plumbing program.
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Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and even municipality to municipality, like in Kansas. Some areas require post-high school education, while other states have no post-high school plumbing educational requirements to get started. In the latter cases, it may make more sense to simply obtain an entry-level position and receive on-the-job training rather than attending one of the plumber schools.
Getting a little technical education before you find work can help you compete for apprenticeship opportunities or make you a more attractive hire. Some apprenticeship programs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. There are often classes applicants can take in high school and college to help them prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list. They include trade classes like blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.
Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore a Mechanical Engineering degree program at one of the four-year universities in Kansas like:
In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. But if your interest lies in being a licensed plumber, 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 class instruction combines theory and practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
Among the plumbing courses you’ll take are:
Introduction to Plumbing Technology
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Plumbing Blueprints and Codes
Drain, Waste, and Venting Systems
Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Plumbing Fixtures and Appliance Installation
Further along will be intermediate and advanced plumbing concepts, pipe fabrication, and welding technology fundamentals, among other education courses, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, too.
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the apprenticeship or school and program that is right for you.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Kansas community colleges on average is $3,484 per year for in-state students and $4,443 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur 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 can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The pre-apprenticeship plumbing diploma program length depends on the school and how many credit hours you take per semester. Even with a plumbing degree, working under a licensed plumber as an apprentice is required in many Kansas municipalities.
Benefits
There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. Many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or pre-apprenticeship over one without. Those credentials 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.
Online vs. in-person
You may choose to get that jump on plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you.
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 both list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.
If you know your learning style relies more on personal instruction, the traditional in-person classes and accredited programs listed above are fairly accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing trade in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics.
Plumbers must learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including: how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems (including water heaters); troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute on remodels or new installations that involve running all water, gas and sewage lines; know how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; understand the plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed. And, of course, especially in residential work, customer service is key.
School Comparison: At a Glance
These Kansas schools listed below offer programs to train students for a career in the plumbing industry.
Johnson County Community College
Offers a Plumbing Technology certificate.
Offers Continuing Education courses in plumbing.
Washburn Institute of Technology
Offers a Plumbing Technology certificate.
Offers a Construction Technology certificate or associate’s degree, both of which help prepare students for a career in the plumbing trade, among other industries.
North Central Kansas Technical College
Offers a Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning certificate.
Partners with the UA Local 441 Plumbers and Pipefitters and allows students to complete an Associate of Applied Science degree along with earning the Journeyman's license during their apprenticeship.
Steps for Enrollment in Kansas
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying on the school’s website. 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 Kansas
Kansas does not offer a statewide plumbing licensure, so you need to check with the local jurisdiction to obtain the proper licensing in the areas of the state where you intend to work.
In most cities, plumbing candidates can pursue a journeyman and master plumbing license, but each municipality has different requirements and fees. For instance in Wichita, the Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) is the licensing board responsible for issuing journeyman and master plumber licenses, as well as plumbing contractor licenses.
An apprenticeship program is the first step. Apprentice plumbers in Wichita need to complete one year of field experience and one year of plumbing trade school, or two years of experience and score 75% or better on an approved International Code Council or IAPMO Exam to earn a journeyman license. To work as a licensed master plumber, candidates must demonstrate at least two years of verifiable work experience as a licensed journeyman plumber, or four years of experience and score 75% or better on an approved International Code Council or IAPMO Exam.
To renew a license, Wichita plumbers need to complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years. For a detailed explanation of Kansas’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Kansas Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Kansas
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 Kansas? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Kansas for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $47,900
Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,000
Senior 4-6 years: $62,600
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is the first step to starting a career in the plumbing industry. Candidates typically need to have a high school diploma or GED, photo ID, and a valid driver’s license to be eligible. The apprentice license allows an individual to perform plumbing work under the direction of a licensed master plumber.
Many cities in Kansas, like Wichita and Topeka, require an apprenticeship before plumbers can take the journeyman plumber exam. Apprenticeships can be found through trade schools, unions, or directly with plumbing companies. Options include:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are trade schools and programs in neighboring Missouri and Nebraska.
Local 8 in Kansas City, Missouri
Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Missouri
Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in Kansas. The opportunities are all around you.
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