by our College Data Analytics TeamPlumbing Technology/Plumber was the 1,035 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,906 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 198 over the prior year, a growth of 10.4%.
This year's Best Plumbing Technology/Plumber Schools ranking compares 2 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of plumbing technology/plumber programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in plumbing technology/plumber is using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic plumbing technology/plumber program qualifications, to serve in some plumbing technology/plumber careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of plumbing technology/plumber degrees. Plumbing Technology/Plumber programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest plumbing technology/plumber degree you can get. Different plumbing technology/plumber degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to plumbing technology/plumber, with approximately 1.8% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for plumbing technology/plumber workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 37.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 31.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 15.0% |
| Some College Courses | 14.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.5% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in plumbing technology/plumber have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which plumbing technology/plumber career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your plumbing technology/plumber degree? Plumbing Technology/Plumber careers are expected to grow 14.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to plumbing technology/plumber.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Trades and Extraction Worker Supervisors | 678,300 | 12.6% |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 555,800 | 15.6% |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 33,400 | 17.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for plumbing technology/plumber graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for plumbing technology/plumber graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers plumbing technology/plumber grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Trades and Extraction Worker Supervisors | $70,540 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,150 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $41,530 |
With over 210 different plumbing technology/plumber degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased plumbing technology/plumber school rankings to help you with this.
Plumbing Technology/Plumber is one of 4 different types of Plumbing & Water Supply programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pipefitting/Pipefitter & Sprinkler Fitter | 638 |
| Other Plumbing & Related Water Supply Services | 69 |
| Well Drilling/Driller | 4 |
