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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 Vacationland.
Though plumbing is an essential trade, jobs may be harder to find in Maine. The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a -4% growth rate in Maine for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as compared with 2% nationwide over the next decade.
Despite being on the decline, at the time of publication, there were dozens of plumbing jobs in Maine posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Maine Plumber Training Programs
According to the 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.” All of this holds true in Maine.
Maine licenses every level of this workforce at the state level—from trainee plumber to master plumber. The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation in Maine oversees the Plumbers’ Examining Board and issues the licenses.
Maine offers reciprocity for any person who holds a valid license in another state, as long as that state or territory has licensing standards and experience requirements at least equivalent to Maine's and grants similar privileges to those holding a Maine plumbing license.
The following Maine community colleges offer plumbing programs (some paired with HVAC):
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) in South Portland (Fort Road) and Brunswick
Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor
Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle
Washington County Community College in Calais
Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield
Central Maine Community College in Auburn
Many high schools in Maine also offer career and technical education courses. One can become a journeyman-in-training by completing a two-year high school technical education program and obtaining a 70% or higher on the journeyman plumber examination. Lewiston Regional Technical Center is one of the training centers that serves high school students.
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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 some, like the state of Maine, offer multiple paths to licensure.
The plumbing job market is 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 the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in Maine such as:
University of Maine in Orono
University of Southern Maine in Portland
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
Waste, Drainage Systems, 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 Maine community colleges on average is $4,020 per year for in-state students and $7,666 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 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
Most college plumbing programs can be completed in a year, to coincide with the educational requirement to become a journeyman-in-training plumber.
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 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
Let’s take a look at plumbing training centers and trade schools in Maine:
Southern Maine Community College
Offers a one-year Plumbing Certificate program
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Heating and Plumbing
Eastern Maine Community College
Offers a one-year Plumbing Certificate program
Northern Maine Community College
Offers a one-year Plumbing Certificate program
Offers an Associate Degree in Plumbing and Heating
Washington County Community College
Offers a one-year Plumbing Certificate program
Kennebec Valley Community College
Offers a one-year Plumbing Certificate program
Central Maine Community College in Auburn
Offers a one-year Plumbing Certificate program
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Plumbing and Heating Technology
Steps for Enrollment in Maine
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission 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 Maine
The state of Maine issues four types of plumbing licenses, and there are different requirements for each.
Trainee Plumber: To become a trainee plumber, apply for and secure an entry-level plumbing position, then apply for the license type online.
Journeyman-in-Training Plumber: Either complete a two-year plumbing course at an approved career and technical education program as a high school student or in a registered Department of Labor apprenticeship program, or complete a plumbing course consisting of one year (or two semesters) at a board-approved community college. Then, take the journeyman plumber exam and receive a 70% or higher.
Journeyman Plumber: Work at least two years (with 4,000 hands-on hours of work in plumbing installations) as a licensed trainee plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber or a minimum of 2,000 hours as a licensed journeyman-in-training under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. Then, take the journeyman plumber exam and receive a 70% or higher.
Master Plumber: Work at least one year (with 2,000 hours of work in plumbing installations) as a licensed journeyman plumber or four years (with 8,000 hours of work in the field of plumbing installations) as a licensed trainee plumber. Receive a 75% or higher on the master plumber examination.
For a detailed explanation of Maine’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Maine Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Maine
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 licensed plumber in Maine?Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Maine for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $49,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $59,700
Senior 4-6 years: $64,200
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
The Maine Department of Labor maintains a Maine Apprenticeship Program website. Current plumbing apprenticeship sponsors include:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are nearby training centers throughout New England.
United Technologies Center in Bangor
Central Vermont Career Center in Barre, Vermont
New Hampshire School of Mechanical in Manchester, NH
New England Institute of HVAC in Lowell
You can find the training you need to excel in a plumbing industry career in Maine. The opportunities are all around you.
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