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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 Empire State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 22% growth rate in New York for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as compared with 2% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumbing industry jobs in New York posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited New York 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 for New York, which requires training and licensure to perform plumbing work in the state.
New York doesn’t issue plumbing licenses at the state level but requires local municipalities to provide plumbing licenses. In 2020, New York passed the Uniform Building Code, which outlines universal standards for plumber training. While licensing steps can vary, the training must meet the universal standards.
The following New York trade schools and training centers offer plumbing programs:
LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City
Apex Technical School in Queens
Berk Trade and Business School in Long Island City
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 New York, don’t have advanced education requirements.
However, some plumber 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.
Classes include coursework 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 New York, such as:
The City College of New York in New York City
New York Institute of Technology in New York City
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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 classroom 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, Sewer Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems
Underground Water Supply and Water 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) safety procedures certification, too.
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the apprenticeship or school and program in New York state.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at New York community colleges on average is $5,826 per year for in-state students and $10,328 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 varies. For example, Apex Technical School offers a 900-hour plumbing program that can be completed in seven months. SUNY Delhi, on the other hand, offers a two-year Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree in Plumbing and Refrigeration.
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 education 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, sprinklers, faucets); 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.
School Comparison: At a Glance
Let’s take a look at plumbing trade schools in New York:
Offers a Plumbing 1 Training program (4 months)
Offers a Plumbing & Pipefitting program (900 hours)
Berk Trade and Business School
Offers a Comprehensive Plumbing program (600 hours)
Offers a Plumbing Maintenance program (100 hours)
Steps for Enrollment in New York
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 and financial aid.
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 New York
To recap New York issues plumber licenses at the local level.
To apply for a journeyman plumber license in New York City (NYC), candidates need to demonstrate a minimum of five years of full-time work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed master plumber. At least one year of training must occur in NYC. Training can be obtained by completing an approved Department of Labor apprenticeship or by working for a plumbing company.
NYC journeyman plumbers must renew their licenses every three years, but don’t have to fulfill continuing education requirements.
Requirements options to work as a master plumber in NYC include:
Seven years of experience over the previous 10 years working under the direct supervision of a licensed master plumber. At least two years must be as a licensed journeyman plumber in NYC.
Earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from a college or university registered by the New York State Department of Education and demonstrate at least five years of total experience within the previous seven years.
Be a New York State-licensed Registered Architect or Professional Engineer and demonstrate at least three years of experience within the previous five years.
Seven years of total experience within the previous 10 years with at least two years of experience working in the planning or design and installation of plumbing systems under the direct supervision of a licensed master plumber.
Master plumbers in NYC must renew their licenses every three years and complete seven hours of continuing education each year.
For a detailed explanation of New York’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your New York Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in New York
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 York?
According to the BLS, the average mean salary for a plumber in New York state is $83,410. As with all professions, salaries increase with experience.
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed plumber—is required to become a licensed plumber in New York. To meet apprenticeship requirements, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age.
The New York Department of Labor maintains a list of registered apprenticeships, including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
Eastwick College in multiple NJ cities
The Plumbing Academy in Middleton, MA
Industrial Management and Training Institute in Waterbury, CT
New York 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 York. The opportunities are all around you.
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