Trade Schools
With an expected job growth of 6 percent over the next ten years, plumbing is a profession that will continue to be in demand in the future.
Plumbers will be needed to maintain and repair plumbing systems in old buildings and to install systems in new construction projects.
If you live in Alaska and want to become a plumber, this page is for you.
Plumber annual wages range from less than $40,000 to more than $100,000, depending on experience, industry of employment, and many other factors.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage reported by workers in this profession was calculated at $61,550, as of May 2023.
Salaries also vary by state.
In Alaska, the mean annual wage reported by helper plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $51,380 but salaries range from less than $35,000 to more than $113,050.
Most employers require plumbers to hold a trade school diploma or to have completed an apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships typically last between four and five years and include technical instruction and paid on-the-job training.
Most states also require plumbers to be licensed before being allowed to work independently.
1Alaska Apprenticeship Training Coordinators Association
About the School
Alaska Apprenticeship Training Coordinators Association offers a plumbers and pipefitters joint apprenticeship in the Anchorage area.
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 367 started their apprenticeship program in Anchorage in 1949.
The school prepares apprentices and journeymen in plumbing, pipefitting, welding, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, instrumentation control, and all aspects of construction work associated with the plumbing trade.
The Plumbers and Pipefitters program can be completed in five years and includes 10,000 hours.
The program has one full-time instructor and four part-time instructors.
Contact Information
- Address: 617 West Potter Drive, Anchorage, AK 99518
- Phone: (907) 562-2890
- Website: https://aatca.org/plumbersfitters-2/anchorage/
2Plumbers and Pipefitters Fairbanks UA Local 375
About the School
Plumbers and Pipefitters Fairbanks UA Local 375 is part of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting industry.
U.A. Local 375 provides skilled plumbers and pipefitters the training to meet the demands required by the pipe trades industry.
Training covers a wide range of skills, from constructing an oil or gas pipeline to troubleshooting a mechanical system.
The apprenticeship program can be completed in five months.
Apprentices must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the interview and they need to possess a valid driver’s license, a high school diploma or GED certificate, or equivalent.
They have enough time to accumulate 8,500 hours of on-the-job training and at least 250 hours of yearly classroom instruction.
The JATC covers the cost of training for each apprentice.
An apprentice will not get paid while attending school and will need to plan ahead financially for the times they are scheduled to attend class.
Apprentices also pay for their classroom materials, such as books, and a few certification fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 1978 Burgess Ave. Fairbanks, AK. 99709
- Phone: 907-456-5989
- Website: https://www.ualocal375.org
3Alaska Vocational Technical Center
About the School
Alaska Vocational Technical Center offers a Plumbing and Heating program that provides students with basic training in the construction and maintenance of plumbing and heating systems.
The program blends classroom instruction, lab, and live work practice.
Students may choose to take additional coursework in the National Center for Construction Education and Research Plumbing level I Related Technical Instruction.
The program provides students with a wide variety of experiences that prepare them for entry-level employment and apprenticeships in the plumbing and heating, construction, and facility maintenance trades.
The program includes 630 clock hours.
Courses Offered
The following graduation achievement levels are available:
- Plumbing and Heating Systems Assistant Repairer
- Plumbing and Heating Systems Repairer
- Plumbing and Heating Systems Technician
Contact Information
- Address: 809 Second Ave, PO Box 889, Seward, AK 99664
- Phone: (907) 224-3322
- Website: https://avtec.edu
4Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 367
About the School
Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 367 offers apprenticeship training and continuing education opportunities.
The Apprenticeship program teaches plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and service technicians the skills of this trade.
The program lasts five years and includes 10,000 hours of training.
Each year includes six weeks of classes and on-the-job training outside of class time.
The apprentice is paid while working, with raises of 10% given upon satisfactory completion of 12 months and 2,000 hours of work.
A new apprentice’s starting wage is $20.50 per hour for most jobs.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
A high school diploma, GED, or a two-year minimum secondary/college degree is required.
Contact Information
- Address: 617 W Potter Drive, Anchorage, AK 99518
- Phone: 907-562-2810
- Website: https://ualocal367.org
5University of Alaska Southeast
The University of Alaska Southeast has three campuses: Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka.
Courses Offered
University of Alaska Southeast offers career education in the field of Construction Technology.
This program includes the following courses:
- Woodworking
- Construction Safety: OSHA 10-Hour Training
- Residential Building Science
- Residential Mechanical Ventilation
- Construction Technology Drafting Internship
Contact Information
- Address: 11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK 99801
- Phone: (907) 796‑6100
- Website: https://uas.alaska.edu
6DMAC Tech Trade School Online
Plumbing classes may also be completed at schools located in other states, by enrolling in an online program.
DMAC Tech Trade School Online offers students fast-track career learning choices.
The school’s fast-track training and certification programs are designed to help students meet the requirements needed so that they can achieve their goals.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes a Plumber Apprentice Certification & Training program.
This course is fully online.
Students learn about subjects such as:
- Plumbing fundamentals
- Plumbing fixtures installation
- Plumbing codes
- Water heater installation
- Water heater repair
- Toilet installation
- Toilet repair
- Kitchen sink repair
- Plumbing troubleshooting
- And more
This course costs $2,990.
Contact Information
- Address: 720 NW 27 Ave 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33125
- Phone: (305) 649-2050
- Website: https://dmaceducation.online
7California State University Chico
About the School
California State University Chico offers a Foundations of Plumbing Online Career Training Program.
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
The course objectives include:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety and the safety procedures for material and equipment use
- The function of components in the construction of standard piping and water supply systems
- Use and meaning of specialty drawings
- To identify piping materials and fixture types
- Perform essential math functions, calculations, and interpretation of the plumbing codes
- And more
The curriculum covers topics such as Tools of the Plumbing Trade, Piping Materials Used in Plumbing Work, Plumbing Fixtures, Valves, Water Heaters, Sketching, Piping Joining Techniques, and many more.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 W First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0250
- Phone: 530–898–6105
- Website: https://rce.csuchico.edu
8Northwest Arkansas Community College
About the School
Northwest Arkansas Community College offers a variety of online construction training courses.
The following construction and trades courses are available:
- Foundation of Plumbing
- Electrical Technician
- Maintenance Technician
- Home Inspection Certificate
- And more
The Foundations of Plumbing self-paced course includes 145 hours and costs $2,995 with tools included.
The program can be completed in 12 months.
Students learn:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety and safety procedures
- The function of components required for the construction of standard piping and water supply systems
- The application and installation of standard plumbing fixtures
- How to apply piping materials and fixture types used in plumbing work
- Methods to perform the essential math functions, calculations, and interpretation of plumbing codes
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://onlinetraining.nwacc.edu/training-programs/plumbing-foundations-tools-included
9College of Central Florida
About the School
The College of Central Florida offers a fully online Foundations of Plumbing course.
Students learn specialized plumbing skills and terminology for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
The course also teaches math, geometry, and physical principles needed to work on plumbing systems.
The 12-month program includes 145 course hours and costs $3,145.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety and safety procedures for material and equipment use
- The use and meaning of specialty drawings associated with construction work
- The application and installation of standard plumbing fixtures
- How to identify piping systems and fixture types used in plumbing work
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3001 S.W. College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://corporatetraining.cf.edu
10Georgia Piedmont Technical College
About the School
A fully online Foundations of Plumbing course is also available at Georgia Piedmont Technical College.
Students learn plumbing skills and terminology specific to residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
The course also teaches the math, geometry, and physical principles needed to work on plumbing systems.
The 12-month program includes 145 course hours and costs $2,245.
This is an open enrollment program and can be completed in 12 months.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety and safety procedures for material and equipment use
- The use and meaning of specialty drawings
- How to apply and install standard plumbing fixtures
- Piping systems and fixture types used in plumbing work
- Math functions, calculations, and interpretation of plumbing codes
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 8100 Bob Williams Parkway – Newton – Building D, Covington, GA 30014 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.gptc.edu
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 450 | $83,450 | $40.12 | $110,960 | $49,860 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 170 | $79,610 | $38.28 | $103,720 | $54,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career in trades, the plumbing profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our list of the best Plumbing schools in Alaska it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
