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Plumbing Schools in Pennsylvania
13 schools in Pennsylvania offer plumbing-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 148 registered apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania train plumbing apprentices — see apprenticeships.
Occupation pay is what working plumbing professionals in Pennsylvania earn (all experience levels) — school "earnings" figures above are medians for each school's recent federally-aided students across all its programs, which read lower.
Plumbing licensing in Pennsylvania: Licensed at city/county level
Pennsylvania has no state plumbing license — requirements are set at the city and county level. Philadelphia requires a Master Plumber license from the Department of Licenses & Inspections (ICC-administered exam, at least 1 year as a registered Philadelphia journeyman), and Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) licenses apprentices, journeymen (576 hours of schooling plus 4 years under a master plumber, $133 exam), and master plumbers (2 more years plus a $265 exam) through its Health Department. Check your municipality before working, since a license from one city carries no automatic standing in another.
Official source: No state board — Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections; Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program · Exam: Local exams: Philadelphia Master Plumber Examination (International Code Council); Allegheny County journeyman/master exams (held spring and fall) · Typical requirement: Philadelphia Master Plumber: at least 1 year registered as a Philadelphia Journeyman Plumber (or equivalent from another jurisdiction), ICC-administered exam, insurance and city tax compliance ($303 license fee). Allegheny County: apprentice card via accredited apprenticeship; Journeyman = 576 hours of schooling + 4 years under a registered master plumber + exam ($133); Master = 2 additional years as journeyman + exam ($265).
Official license records related to plumbing in Pennsylvania
From the U.S. Department of Labor's License Finder — these may include contractor, specialty, or related licenses beyond entry-level requirements:
- Plumbing Inspector (UCC) — PA Department of Labor & Industry~Certification; Accreditation; & Licensing Division~Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division
- Residential Plumbing Inspector (UCC) — PA Department of Labor & Industry~Certification; Accreditation; & Licensing Division~Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division
- Plumbing Plans Examiner (UCC) — PA Department of Labor & Industry~Certification; Accreditation; & Licensing Division~Certification Accreditation & Licensing Division
Wage and license data provided by CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and Minnesota DEED.
Schools, ranked by earnings per tuition dollar
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood | public | $5,167 | 26.4% | $37,439 |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | public | $6,576 | 18.3% | $45,391 |
| Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke | public | $9,433 | 24.1% | $40,437 |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | Lancaster | public | $14,104 | 67.1% | $54,681 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | public | $13,970 | 25.3% | $39,449 |
| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | Willow Street | public | $17,505 | 77.2% | $44,566 |
| Pennco Tech-Bristol | Bristol | private for-profit | $19,197 | 72.3% | $43,493 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport | public | $25,110 | 61% | $52,567 |
| Orleans Technical College | Philadelphia | private nonprofit | $20,113 | 82.2% | $38,668 |
| Douglas Education Center | Monessen | private for-profit | $27,348 | 84.2% | $30,814 |
| Berks Career & Technology Center | Leesport | public | $20,536 | 70% | not reported |
| Philadelphia Technician Training | Philadelphia | private nonprofit | $22,813 | 49.8% | not reported |
| Lehigh Career & Technical Institute | Schnecksville | public | $23,735 | not reported | not reported |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Figures are institution-wide federal medians for each school as a whole — not plumbing graduates specifically. Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
Common questions: Plumbing school in Pennsylvania
- How much do Plumbing schools cost in Pennsylvania?
- The median annual net price (what students actually pay after aid) across 13 plumbing schools in Pennsylvania is $19,197. Individual schools range widely — the table above shows each school's real cost, not sticker price.
- Do you need a license to work as a plumbing in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania has no state plumbing license — requirements are set at the city and county level. Philadelphia requires a Master Plumber license from the Department of Licenses & Inspections (ICC-administered exam, at least 1 year as a registered Philadelphia journeyman), and Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) licenses apprentices, journeymen (576 hours of schooling plus 4 years under a master plumber, $133 exam), and master plumbers (2 more years plus a $265 exam) through its Health Department. Check your municipality before working, since a license from one city carries no automatic standing in another.
- Can you get paid to train as a plumbing in Pennsylvania?
- Yes — Pennsylvania has 148 registered apprenticeship programs where you earn wages while you train instead of paying tuition. See the plumbing apprenticeships page for the current list.
- What does a plumbing earn in Pennsylvania?
- Working plumbing professionals in Pennsylvania earn a median of $68,080 per year, ranging from about $46,770 to $134,110 (U.S. Department of Labor). This is what people in the job earn, which differs from a school's reported graduate-earnings figure.
Aid deadlines for plumbing programs in Pennsylvania
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Plumbing schools in nearby states
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