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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 Badger State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects an 8% growth rate for plumbers in Wisconsin over the next decade, compared to 2% nationwide.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumbing jobs in Wisconsin posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Wisconsin 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 holds true in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — from plumbing apprentice to master plumber. To become a journeyman plumber, you must begin as a plumbing apprentice.
Wisconsin refers to its licenses and certifications as credentials. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Trades Credentialing Division requires individuals to complete an approved apprenticeship program and demonstrate competency in the field after a specified number of hours of classroom education and work experience. Apprentices must pass a state-administered exam before becoming licensed journeyman plumbers, and journeyman plumbers must acquire more years of experience to earn a master plumber license.
The following Wisconsin technical schools offer plumbing programs:
Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton
Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire
Gateway Technical College in Kenosha
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay
Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee
Northwood Technical College in Ashland, New Richland, and Rice Lake
Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee
Madison Area Technical College in Madison
Nicolet College in Rhinelander
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore
Wisconsin Apprenticeships
Prospective plumbers must gain hands-on work experience through apprenticeship training. Interested applicants can find a list of apprenticeship committees to apply to on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website.
Available apprenticeships listed include:
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, as in Wisconsin.
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. They include trade classes like blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.
In Wisconsin, those who have graduated from an accredited engineering university or college with a degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering or other approved engineering curriculum related to plumbing qualify to become a master plumber. You can also forgo a four-year degree and serve as a journeyman for three years before taking the master plumber exam.
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 Wisconsin such as:
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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 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 Wisconsin community colleges on average is $4,173 per year for in-state students and $6,317 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
A plumbing apprenticeship program in Wisconsin takes approximately five years to complete. It requires 7,428 hours on the job and 572 hours of classroom instruction for a total of 8,000 hours, plus 260 hours of related instruction in: Plumbing Applications Lab, Plumbing Blueprint Reading, Plumbing Repair, Transition to Trainer, Isometric Interpretation & Drawing, Transit/Level/Laser, Welding, Safety/OSHA, and First Aid/CPR.
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
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Wisconsin’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Let’s take a look at each of the schools.
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC)
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Waukesha County Technical College
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Madison Area Technical College
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program
Steps for Enrollment in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin issues licenses based on the scope of the work being performed, and each has its own requirements for licensure.
There are nine plumber licenses in Wisconsin to be exact. Three each at the apprentice, journeyman, and master level.
Apprentice
Plumbing Apprentice
Plumbing Learner Restricted Appliance
Plumbing Learner Restricted Service
Journeyman
Journeyman Plumber
Journeyman Plumber Restricted Appliance
Journeyman Plumber Restricted Service
Master
Master Plumber
Master Plumber Restricted Appliance
Master Plumber Restricted Service
As stated above apprentices must pass a state-administered exam before becoming licensed journeyman plumbers, and journeyman plumbers must acquire more years of experience to earn a master plumber license.
Wisconsin does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states. Reciprocal licensing is granted to those individuals who have been licensed in states with substantially similar licensing requirements, meet minimum experience requirements, and pass the Wisconsin examination.
For a detailed explanation of Wisconsin’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Wisconsin Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Wisconsin for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $47,100
Intermediate 2-4 years: $52,900
Senior 4-6 years: $57,000
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
In order to perform plumbing work under the supervision of a master or journeyman plumber, you must be enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program recognized by Wisconsin State Statute 106, in accordance with the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards or the U.S. Department of Labor. These apprenticeship programs take approximately five years to complete. An apprentice must be 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. For Plumbing Learner Restricted Appliance and Plumbing Learner Restricted Service, apprentices still need a high school diploma or equivalent, but only need to be 16 years of age.
Registered apprenticeships for construction occupations are sponsored by local apprenticeship committees, not individual employers. Interested applicants can find a list of apprenticeship committees to apply to on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Minnesota and Iowa:
Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Northland Community & Technical College in Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minnesota
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in Wisconsin. The opportunities are all around you.
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