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We all need plumbers, and plumbers need extensive training to do the job right. The demand for plumbers in New Jersey continues to grow while the number of people entering this skilled workforce has shrunk. The Garden State needs new people excited about this career and has everything you need to make diving in possible and profitable!
The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics projects only a 2% growth rate for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters nationwide, but its job search website,CareerOneStop, projects that growth will be five times that in New Jersey at 10% over the next decade. The growing demand for this skill means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumber jobs in New Jersey posted on Indeed.com and Zip Recruiter. Read on to find out how you can get started in this essential profession.
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.” All of that is true in New Jersey. 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.
Most people entering the plumbing industry in New Jersey learn on the job as a plumbing apprentice either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or an apprenticeship created by working for a sponsoring plumbing contractor and taking classes at a community college.
New Jersey regulates every level of this workforce at the state level — apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and master plumbers. Apprentices and journeymen must be registered with the state, and master plumbers must be licensed. To get started you must complete a United States Department of Labor approved plumbing apprenticeship program or earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical, plumbing or sanitary engineering from an accredited college or university in the United States that the board finds acceptable.
There are programs throughout the state that meet these requirements for approval from the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. Many of New Jersey’s vocational and technical schools offer state-approved plumbing programs as do many of the state’s community colleges.
The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) has also approved two plumbing programs in New Jersey. NCCER lists the following programs on their website as accredited schools:
Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Toms River
Local 9 Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center in Englishtown
There are several other local United Association chapters in New Jersey that offer union plumbing apprenticeships, and nonunion apprenticeships are available through Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) New Jersey. Details of those are below.
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 require a minimum amount of education.
In New Jersey, classroom instruction is required for a plumber license in conjunction with work experience. Sometimes getting a little technical education before you find work can help you compete for apprenticeship opportunities or make you a more attractive hire. Some apprenticeships are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. However in general, in New Jersey you will be taking classes while you work as an apprentice for a licensed master plumber — earning the required experience and classroom instruction at the same time.
Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree, but that is one of the ways you can meet the requirements for licensure in the Garden State. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in New Jersey such as:
As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.
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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 practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
Among the classes you’ll take are:
Introduction to Plumbing Technology
Plumbing Blueprint Reading 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 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 are right for you.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at New Jersey community colleges on average is $5,652 per year for in-state students and $7,575 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited plumbing programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all the costs involved.
There are also always 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 any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Plumbing apprenticeships in New Jersey are four to five years long and require classroom instruction. Some apprentices choose to apply that instruction toward a certificate or a broader diploma or associate degree. Associate degree programs typically require students to add general education classes to the plumbing classes to fulfill the broader degree requirements.
Benefits
There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. As stated above, formal education is required in New Jersey typically in conjunction with an apprenticeship, but 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. An example of this type of program is the Plumbing Technology Certificate of Achievement at Passaic County Community College that was just added to the course catalog there for the 2023-2024 school year. It is offered in partnership with Passaic County Technical Institute. Instruction includes the basic skills to assist with the installation and repairs of residential and light commercial plumbing systems. 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 each list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.
The New Jersey Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) offers online plumbing and HVACR apprentice courses for apprentices who need a non-classroom-based method of receiving their apprenticeship instruction. This program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, New Jersey Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, & Office of Apprenticeship, as a reasonable option for apprentice training. Each course is the equivalent of one year of classroom instruction and is approved for the required 144 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI). The PHCC Academy is NJDOL approved and registered as an online apprenticeship program in the state of New Jersey.
Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs. For instance, if you are vying for a competitive apprenticeship in New Jersey, having even some online instruction may distinguish you from other candidates. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are very 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 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 including water heaters; troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute remodels, new installations that involve 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
There are many technical training programs available in New Jersey to learn to be a plumbing professional. New Jersey Career and Technical Education offered in county vocational technical schools throughout the state is a great place to start if you know early on that this is the career path you’d like to take. The New Jersey Department of Public Education offers a Plumbing Technology or Plumber state approved program through its Architecture and Construction Pathway. For instance, Bergen County Technical Schools in Hackensack provide the technical instruction for each of the four years of an approved apprenticeship. The school systems with plumbing programs are:
Many of these programs offer dual credit, simultaneously allowing students to earn college credits while fulfilling requirements toward high school graduation. Check with your high school CTE coordinator to find the nearest program if it is not offered at your school.
There are also Adult Education programs offered through the vocational high schools in New Jersey. These adult programs are offered in the following schools districts:
Let’s also look at a few of the state’s community college programs and those accredited by NCCER mentioned above.
Eastwick College in Nutley and the HoHokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences in Hackensack Plumber Apprenticeship | Diploma | 9 months
Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Toms River Plumber Apprenticeship | Diploma | 2 years
Passaic County Community College in Wayne Plumber Apprenticeship I | 24 sessions Plumber Apprenticeship II | 20 sessions Plumber Apprenticeship III & IV | 24 sessions
Pennco Tech in Blackwood Plumbing & Heating Technology | Certificate | 26 weeks
Local 9 Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center in Englishtown Plumber Apprenticeship | 5 years
Steps for Enrollment in New Jersey
Every program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online. 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.
However, if you are hoping to attend an apprenticeship program, you must apply directly to an employer or JATC. Once you have a position as an apprentice, then you can apply for classes.
Plumbing Career Requirements in New Jersey
As mentioned earlier, New Jersey requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform plumbing work. You must complete an approved formal apprenticeship program or employer-sponsored program and register as an apprentice for the four years you train under a master or attend a four-year degree program in mechanical, plumbing, or sanitary engineering. Once you’ve completed either of those four-year paths, you must register as a journeyman and train under a master plumber for one year. After meeting the educational/experience requirements stated above and are at least 21 years old, you can apply for examination for the Master Plumber License.
All licensed master plumbers must take five hours of Continuing Education (CE) before renewing their license every two years. Continuing Education sponsors have been approved by the state Board of Examiners to provide the instruction.
For a detailed explanation of New Jersey’s plumber licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your New Jersey Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in New Jersey
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 New Jersey? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in New Jersey for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,400
Intermediate 2-4 years: $63,500
Senior 4-6 years: $68,400
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
The most common way in New Jersey to get the training you need to become a plumber is through a formal apprenticeship. Most plumbing apprenticeships are four to five years long. You must also 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.
Union plumbing apprenticeships are offered in New Jersey through the United Association local union chapters (LU) Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers (JATC) — LU 9 Central New Jersey, Plumbers Local 24 West Caldwell, LU 274 Jersey City, and LU 322 Southern New Jersey. They offer apprenticeships to plumbers, pipe fitters, and service technicians.
The apprenticeships 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.
ABC New Jersey offers a four-year nonunion apprenticeship in plumbing. To reach journey-level you will need to complete 576 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 on-the-job training hours.
Some plumbing companies will hire applicants who have had no or relatively little previous training and provide the training themselves — creating an in-house apprenticeship. A 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 community college or sometimes taught through the company itself. You’ll need to request that your employer act as your apprentice sponsor. Your employer must agree to register you with the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Apprenticeship.
As mentioned above in the online schooling section, the New Jersey Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) offers online plumbing and HVACR apprentice courses for apprentices who work for sponsor employers but need non-classroom-based apprenticeship instruction to meet the related technical instruction (RTI) requirement for a Department of Labor approved apprenticeship.
The state also has a website dedicated to registered apprenticeships for job seekers.
Other School Options
We’ve highlighted many trade schools, community colleges and apprenticeships thus far. There are so many programs throughout the state to get the training you need to become a plumber in New Jersey. In addition to all those already mentioned, each of the schools below has a plumbing program or classes that can help get you started.
Brookdale Community College in Lincroft
Fortis Institute in Wayne and Lawrenceville
Sunset Technology Center in Union City
New Jersey has plumber apprenticeships and classes all across the state. You can find the training you need to excel in a career in plumbing in New Jersey. The opportunities are all around you.
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