Trade Schools
If you live in Arkansas and want to start a career in construction trades, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best Plumbing schools in your state and the programs they offer.
Our selection includes certificate programs as well as paid apprenticeships.
Programs focus on teaching job-ready skills, such as:
- Reading blueprints
- Understanding and applying plumbing code requirements
- Installing plumbing systems
- Repairing plumbing fixtures
- Providing information to customers about their plumbing
- And more
This profession can be both stable and financially rewarding.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $61,550, as of May 2023.
Salaries range from less than $40,000 to more than $100,000 per year depending on education, experience, skills, region, and a variety of factors.
So, if you’re interested in starting a career in this field we encourage you to start by reading our list.
1Ultimate Technical Academy
Ultimate Technical Academy offers fast-track HVAC, plumbing, and electrical training for new and experienced technicians, plumbers, and electricians.
The academy provides several one-week courses.
The school doesn’t require any pre-course study, so students can enroll at any time.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing Course available at UTA covers topics such as:
- The Home Plumbing Inspection
- Piping, Tubing, and Soldering
- Plumbing Repair
- The Hot Water System
- The Sewer and Drain System
- Electricity and Plumbing
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 6108 Getty Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72117
- Phone: 866-903-9100
- Website: https://www.ultimatetechnician.com
2Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
Arkansas Construction Education Foundation provides quality training to produce a safe, competent, and professional workforce for contractors.
The school provides electrical, plumbing, and HVAC training.
Classes are available at many locations in the state of Arkansas.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing program takes four years to complete and consists of 640 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Students attend classes one night a week at ACEF and work full-time with a plumbing company.
Those who complete the program receive a “release to test” and can submit an application to sit for the journeyman plumber’s exam.
Students must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED to register.
Apprentice programs use the NCCER curriculum, which contains knowledge-based exams and a hands-on performance evaluation.
Contact Information
- Address: 4421 West 61st Street Little Rock, AR 72209
- Phone: (501) 372-1590
- Website: https://myacef.org
3Conway Area Career Center
Conway Area Career Center offers career and technical education that teaches lifelong learning and applicable skills.
The career center is located on the Conway High School campus, next to Wampus Cat baseball and softball fields.
Courses Offered
The Construction pathway at Conway Area Career Center prepares students for a career in the construction industry.
The curriculum combines theory-based content and simulated experiences.
The following construction courses are included in this program:
- Skilled Trades Construction
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Construction Lab
- Electrical Cabinetry
Contact Information
- Address: 2220 Prince StreetConway, AR 72034
- Phone: 501.450.4800
- Website: https://www.conwayschools.org
4National Apprenticeship Training Foundation
About the School
National Apprenticeship Training Foundation is a training corporation specializing in providing customized training programs for employers and individuals throughout the United States.
Apprenticeships allow students to earn a living while they learn their craft.
Apprentices are full-time employees that can benefit from an earn-while-they-learn environment.
They usually expect to be paid 50 percent of a journeyman’s wage.
Wages typically increase at regular intervals as skills increase.
After successfully completing the apprenticeship, apprentices become journeymen and earn full pay for their skills.
Apprenticeship training can last from one to six years, depending on the chosen occupation and the requirements.
Classroom instruction is 144-160 hours per year.
Instruction includes related subjects such as mathematics, blueprint reading, safety training, and technical courses.
Contact Information
- Phone: (870) 246-0320
- Website: https://www.natf.us
5Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Arkansas
About the School
Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Arkansas operates three full-service training centers and three satellite campuses strategically located throughout Arkansas.
PPATA offers apprenticeship and journeymen upgrade training, conducts all UA welder certification tests, and maintains the records of more than 1,600 individual certifications.
The apprenticeship is a structured mix of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction that requires a five-year commitment to the program.
Apprentices receive scholarships for the five years of training, so classes are at no monetary expense to students.
Schools are located in El Dorado, Little Rock, and Van Buren.
PPATA usually has between 140 and 150 apprentices on average at any given time.
Contact Information
- Address: 4501 Hoffman Road, Little Rock, AR 72209
- Phone: (501) 562-4482
- Website: https://www.ppata.com
6Northwest 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
7DMAC 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
8College of Central Florida
About the School
College of Central Florida offers an 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
- 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
9Modesto Junior College
Modesto Junior College offers an 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.
Courses Offered
The course syllabus includes:
- Plumbing History, Codes, and Principles
- First Aid and Safety
- Basic Math for Plumbing
- Piping Materials Used in Plumbing Work
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Sketching
- Introduction to Welding
- Soldering, Brazing, Cutting, and Gas Welding
- And more
This course costs $2,245.
Contact Information
- Address: 435 College Ave. Modesto, CA 95350 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.mjc.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 Arkansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 760 | $51,350 | $24.69 | $65,800 | $35,080 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 280 | $47,820 | $22.99 | $68,010 | $30,590 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 100 | $42,700 | $20.53 | $59,590 | $29,950 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 130 | $46,110 | $22.17 | $58,010 | $31,890 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 1,030 | $48,900 | $23.51 | $63,620 | $31,550 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 50 | $48,470 | $23.3 | $64,930 | $31,200 |
* 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 Arkansas, is time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
