Plumbing Schools in South Dakota: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited South Dakota Plumbing 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 holds true in South Dakota.

South Dakota requires state-issued licenses for plumbers. The South Dakota Plumbing Commission, within the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, issues plumbing licenses for apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and plumbing contractors. Most people entering the plumbing industry in South Dakota learn on-the-job as a plumbing apprentice or by working for a contractor and taking classes at a community college.

South Dakota offers plumbing programs at several institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Although a plumbing degree is not required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during an apprenticeship. Here's some top South Dakota schools with accreditation offering plumbing training programs:

• Sinte Gleska University, in Mission

• Southeast Technical College, in Sioux Falls

• Western Dakota Technical College, in Rapid City

South Dakota Apprenticeships

• Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 192, in Cheyenne, Wyoming

• Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 300, in Sioux Falls

• South Dakota PHCC, in Sioux Falls

• StartTodaySD

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum number of years of experience, as in South Dakota.

There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some plumbing contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. 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 pre-engineering or Mechanical Engineering degree program at one of the four-year universities such as:

• Northern State University, in Aberdeen

• South Dakota Mines, in Rapid City

• South Dakota State University, in Brookings

In many cases, education can pay off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become a journeyman plumber or master plumber, a degree isn’t necessary.

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Plumbing training programs at trade schools prepare students for their plumbing certification and careers in residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed plumbing professional.

Plumbing programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of the plumbing trade and related technical skills. Plumbing courses for apprenticeships typically cover:

• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

• Blueprint reading

• Plumbing mathematics

• Water supply piping

• Pipes and fittings

• Types of valves

• Drain waste and vent systems

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review rankings, tuition at South Dakota community colleges on average is $5,786 per year for in-state students and out-of-state students. However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. 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 financial aid such as the federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants should apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

In South Dakota, plumbing apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. In South Dakota, apprentices with 3,800 hours of experience under a plumbing contractor and who pass a state-administered examination may work on single-family dwellings in their third and fourth years without supervision.

Benefits

There are benefits to formal education if you want to be a plumbing professional. South Dakota requires a minimum amount of experience and instruction for journeyman plumbers and plumbing contractors. You also may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.

Online vs in-person

You may choose to get started on your plumbing training through an online program. The South Dakota Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Inc. (PHCC) offers an eLearning apprenticeship for plumbing and HVAC apprentices.

Level of difficulty

Plumbing training programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in residential, commercial, or industrial sectors. The BLS says technical instruction for plumbing apprentices includes safety, local plumbing codes and regulations, and blueprint reading.

School Comparison: At a Glance

These accredited schools in South Dakota listed below offer plumbing programs to train students for a career in the plumbing industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:

Sinte Gleska University

• Offers a one-year plumbing certificate, 33 credit hours.

Southeast Technical College

• Offers a one-year plumbing technology diploma program, 35 credits.

Western Dakota Technical Institute

• Offers a nine-month plumbing technology diploma program, 30 credit hours.

Steps for Enrollment in South Dakota

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online. Some require you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. 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 South Dakota

The South Dakota Plumbing Commission issues apprentice and journeyman plumber licenses and plumbing contractor licenses.

Plumber apprentices must submit a plumbing application, which identifies the specific plumber the apprentice works under. Apprentices with 3,800 hours of experience under a plumbing contractor and pass a state-administered examination may work on single-family dwellings in their third and fourth years without supervision.

Journeyman plumbers must possess four years of experience as an apprentice plumber and work 1,900 hours per year during those four years as an apprentice.

Plumbing contractor must possess six years of experience as a plumbing contractor, plumber, or plumber's apprentice, with at least two of those years as a plumbing contractor or plumber and at least 1,900 hours per year during those six years as a plumbing contractor, plumber, or plumber's apprentice.

Plumber licenses must be renewed every year. Plumbing contractors, plumbers, and third-year apprentices passing an examination must complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education requirements before license renewal. As for reciprocity, nonresident plumber applicants registered in another state with similar licensure requirements may be eligible for a South Dakota plumbing license without an exam.

For a detailed explanation of South Dakota’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your South Dakota Plumbing License.

Salaries for Plumbing Professionals in South Dakota

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become a plumbing professional, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in South Dakota? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumbing professional salary in South Dakota for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $46,200

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,100

• Senior 4-6 years: $60,600

For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

In South Dakota, plumbing apprenticeships last four to five years, and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, and a valid driver’s license.

Plumbing apprenticeships serving areas in South Dakota include:

South Dakota PHCC, in Sioux Falls

• Offers four-year apprenticeships in plumbing, HVAC, sheet metal, and refrigeration.

• Provides 8,000 hours of on-the-job training through employers. Correspondence curriculum is approved by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.

• Apprentices may receive credit for work experience earned prior to enrollment.

• The SDPHCC also offers an elearning apprenticeship program.

StartTodaySD

• Search for current registered apprenticeships in South Dakota.

United Association Local 300 Plumbers & Pipefitters, in Sioux Falls

• Serves North Dakota and eastern South Dakota.

• Offers a five-year apprenticeship with classroom and on-the-job training for careers in plumbing, steamfitting, or HVAC work.

Plumbers & Pipefitters UA Local 192, in Cheyenne, Wyo.

• Serves Wyoming, half of South Dakota, and part of the Nebraska panhandle.

Other School Options

In addition to plumbing training opportunities in South Dakota, there are several schools in neighboring Nebraska, North Dakota, and Montana offering plumbing or plumbing technology courses, including:

• Northeast Community College, in Norfolk, Nebraska

• North Dakota State College of Science, in Wahpeton, North Dakota

• Montana State University-Northern, in Havre, Montana

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in South Dakota. The opportunities are all around you.