Trade Schools
If you live in Delaware and want to start a career in plumbing, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best training options available both in-person and online.
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
- Math for plumbers
- Providing information to customers about their plumbing
- And more
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.
This profession is expected to grow 6 percent over the next decade.
As workers retire and new buildings are constructed, new plumbers will be needed.
If you want to be one of them, we invite you to read further.
1Polytech Adult Education
Polytech Adult Education offers a construction trades program area that provides students with many employment and professional advancement opportunities.
Registered apprenticeship programs and continuing education opportunities are available in the areas of: Electrical, HVAC-R, Plumbing, Electronic Systems, and Construction labor.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing program at Polytech Adult Education offers related instruction required to complete a State of Delaware Plumbing Apprenticeship.
After completing the program and the required on-the-job training requirement, graduates are eligible to earn their Journeyperson credential through the Delaware Department of Labor.
The four-year program in addition to the required number of minimum hours qualifies graduates to sit for the licensure exam in the state of Delaware.
Non-apprentice students may also complete the program as a certificate program.
Students learn a variety of skills, including the basics of blueprint reading, plumbing safety, trade tools, plumbing calculations, advanced plumbing and piping calculations, planning the plumbing installation, installation, troubleshooting, and repair of hydronic and steam heating systems, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 823 Walnut Shade Rd. P.O. Box 102, Woodside, DE 19980
- Phone: (302) 697-4545
- Website: https://polytechworks.com
2U.A. Local 486 Apprenticeship
U.A. Local 486 offers a Plumbers and Steamfitters Apprenticeship that provides free instruction, on-the-job training, and job opportunities to participants, allowing them to learn while they earn.
The program available in Seaford, Delaware provides training in plumbing, HVACR, gasfitting, and more.
Students receive certifications and licensing as well as real-world experience.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following certifications and qualifications:
- 10-Hour OSHA Certification
- Backflow Certification
- Confined Space Certification
- CPR Certification
- CFC Qualification
- Rigging/Signaling
- And more
Graduates of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Apprenticeship Program have the following licenses:
- Plumbers/Gasfitters License
- HVACR License
- Gasfitters License
Contact Information
- Address: 26705 Sussex Highway, Seaford, DE 19973
- Phone: 410.866.5313 Press 1
- Website: https://getpiping.com
3Philadelphia Suburban Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors
About the School
Philadelphia Suburban Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors provides local business owners with the tools and expertise necessary to chart a path to success.
The Apprenticeship school provides an HVAC Apprenticeship Program and a Plumbing Apprenticeship Program.
The Plumbing Apprenticeship prepares students for this skilled occupation.
The program combines students’ 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a master plumber and the school’s 576 hours of classroom instruction.
After completing both parts, students are eligible to take the journeyman plumber exam.
Tuition for the 2024-2025 year is $3,900 after August 18 for students employed by a PHCC member.
Contact Information
- Address: 4072 Mount Rd Aston, PA 19014
- Phone: (484) 574-0716
- Website: https://www.psaphcc.com
4Pumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute is a leading provider of online education and training for construction professionals.
The following professional development courses are available:
- Professional Development 2021 IPC Update- a six-hour text course
- Professional Development Master Plumber Isometrics- a three-hour video course
- Professional Development Introduction to Fire Sprinkles, Valves, and Hydraulic Calculations- a three-hour course
- Professional Development Plan Reading- a one-hour video course
- And more
OSHA Safety and other safety courses are available.
Courses range from $19 to $79 hours.
Contact Information
- Phone: 800-727-7104
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
5Delaware County Community College
Delaware County Community College offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship program that provides students with essential skills needed in today’s plumbing occupations.
The coursework covers a diverse range of skills and knowledge.
The apprenticeship includes the practical and theoretical aspects of the work required for this occupation.
The program can be completed on a part-time basis only.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Plumbing Theory
- Math for Plumbers
- Installation & Repair
- Bathroom Installation
- Heating Systems
- Blueprint Reading
- Cross Connection Control
- And more
The program includes 37 total hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 901 S. Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063
- Website:https://catalog.dccc.edu/
6UA Local 74
UA Local 74 is a union of plumbers and pipefitters in New Castle and Kent Counties in Delaware.
The Union is part of the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders, and HVAC Service Techs.
Courses Offered
The union offers an Apprenticeship that allows students to earn college credit while they learn in a state-of-the-art training facility equipped with the latest equipment, including CADD systems and smart boards.
Apprentices start by earning 40% of the journeyman’s rate with incremental increases of 5% as they progress the ten six-month training periods.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Being at least 18 years of age
- Having reliable transportation
- Holding a valid driver’s license
- Presenting a Birth Certificate
- Providing copies of high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Official high school transcripts or GED scores.
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Executive Dr, Newark, DE 19702
- Phone: (302) 636-7400
- Website: http://www.ualocal74.com
7Maintenance Troubleshooting International
Maintenance Troubleshooting International offers hands-on maintenance training.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available:
- Arc Flash Safety
- Practical Maintenance Safety
- Hydraulic Fluid Power
- Practical Shop Math and Measurement
- Machinery Bearings
- Centrifugal Pumps: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repair and Rebuilding
- And more
Courses range from $550 and $1,995
The center has a state-of-the-art hands-on training facility with well-equipped classrooms and many full-size hands-on training modules.
Contact Information
- Address: 2860 Ogletown Road Newark, DE 19711
- Phone: 302.593.2698
- Website: https://www.mtroubleshooting.com
8Rocket Cert
About the School
Rocket Cert offers Plumbing Continuing Education courses.
A Delaware Master Plumbing License and Exam Prep program is available.
The course includes books, courses, and professionals ready to help students pass the exam.
The training is offered online in a self-paced format.
Master Plumber Exam prep costs $299 while the prep, books, and tabs bundle is $799.
The Delaware Master Plumber exam consists of 100 questions in total.
Students need to answer 70% of them correctly in order to receive a passing score.
Contact Information
- Address: 408 N Cedar Bluff Rd, Ste 236, Knoxville, TN 37923
- Phone: (800) 495-6612
- Website: https://rocketcert.com
9DMAC 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
10College of Central Florida
About the School
College of Central Florida offers a fully online Foundations of Plumbing course.
Students learn specialized plumbing skills and terminology specific to 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 many other skills and concepts
Contact Information
- Address: 3001 S.W. College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://corporatetraining.cf.edu
Regional Salary in Delaware
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 100 | $54,390 | $26.15 | $90,670 | $27,350 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Learning plumbing skills can help you start a career that is both financially rewarding and stable.
If you think this is the professional path you want to pursue we encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
