Trade Schools
If you live in Florida and want to start a career in plumbing, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best schools that offer training for this profession.
Typically plumbers learn the skills for this profession on the job, by enrolling in an apprenticeship.
Some also attend a vocational school before starting the apprenticeship.
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
Before being allowed to work independently as a plumber, you will need to become licensed.
Licensing requirements vary from area to area but typically include passing an exam.
The first step in this journey is to complete your training.
We encourage you to start by reading our list of the best training options available in Florida.
1Plumbing Contractors Association
About the School
Plumbing Contractors Association offers a four-year Apprenticeship program.
The program is registered with the Florida Department of Education.
It consists of 8,000 hours, approximately 48 months of continuous on-the-job employment, and a minimum of 144 hours each year of supplemental instruction in technical subjects related to plumbing.
Apprentices who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship.
Application requirements include being at least 18 years of age.
Applicants are screened to make sure they meet the requirements.
Those accepted as eligible for apprenticeship are referred to participating employers who are hiring.
Contact Information
- Address: 7204 SW 48th St Miami, Florida 33155
- Phone: (305) 662-9671
- Website: http://www.plumbingcontractorsassociation.com
2South Florida Institute of Technology
South Florida Institute of Technology offers programs designed to enhance students’ existing technical skills and expertise in a particular vocational field.
The institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing program at South Florida Institute of Technology covers basic areas in Administration, Business, Communications, Plumbing, Fixtures and Faucets, Water Supply Systems, Drain, Waste and Vent Systems, Gas and Troubleshooting, Computer Drafting, and more.
The course also aims to help students gain knowledge of the State of Florida Code requirements.
The program is four-terms-long and can be completed in 63 weeks.
The program outline includes:
- Basics in Plumbing
- Green Building Basics
- Plumbing Knowledge
- Fixtures and Faucets
- Water Supply Systems
- Water Heating
- Systems Sizing
- Gas and Troubleshooting
- Computer Drafting
- Blue Print and Specifications
- And more
The total program cost is $15,176.
This includes tuition, registration fees, and books and supplies.
Contact Information
- Address: 720 NW 27 Ave 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33125
- Phone: (305) 649-2050
- Website: https://www.sf-institute.com
3DMAC Tech Trade School
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 offers a Plumber Apprentice Certification & Training
This program provides a fully online course training.
Students learn about:
- 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
4Orange Technical College
About the School
Orange Technical College offers a Plumbing program available at the West Campus.
This program costs 1,080 hours and takes approximately 11 months to be completed by full-time students.
This program costs approximately $5,100 in total.
Courses Offered
The program consists of four occupational completion points:
- Helper, Plumber, Pipefitter- 360 course hours
- Residential Plumber- 240 course hours
- Commercial Plumber- 240 course hours
- Plumbing Applications- 240-course hours
Contact Information
- Address: 2010 Ocoee Apopka Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761
- Phone: 407-317-3212
- Website: https://www.orangetechcollege.net
5Seminole State College of Florida
About the School
Seminole State College of Florida offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Courses Offered
Seminole State College of Florida catalog includes a Plumbing Career Certificate.
This program teaches the tools of the trade and the technical knowledge that puts students on a path to employment in this high-demand field.
Students participate in practical, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
After certificate completion, graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce.
The total per-credit-hour cost is $84.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773
- Phone: 407.708.4722
- Website: https://www.seminolestate.edu
6Lively Technical College
About the School
Lively Technical College offers a Plumbing program that consists of a sequence of courses designed to provide coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards as well as relevant technical knowledge and skills.
The program is open to students 16 years of age or older.
Courses Offered
The program requirements include 1080 hours of training consisting of the following courses:
- Helper, Plumber, Pipefitter,
- Residential Plumber
- Commercial Plumber
- Plumbing Applications
The total cost for this program is approximately $5,750 for Florida residents and includes:
- Florida Resident Tuition
- Registration fees
- Lab fee
- Facility usage fee
- Miscellaneous fees
- Book store
Contact Information
- Address: 500 N Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304
- Phone: (850) 487-7555
- Website: https://www.livelytech.com
7Pensacola State College
About the School
Pensacola State College offers online, live online, face-to-face, and hybrid classes that work with students’ schedules.
The college provides Baccalaureate Degrees, Associate Degrees, Continuing Education, Dual Enrollment, Vocational and Advanced Technical Certificates, as well as other types of academic programs.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing Technology program at Pensacola State College follows the National Center for Construction Education and Research guidelines and leads to Level 1-4 certification.
Students need basic entry-level skills in math, reading, and language in order to complete this program.
Topics covered in the curriculum include pipe fitting, plumbing tools, types of valves DWV, and potable water treatment.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 College Blvd, Pensacola, Florida 32504
- Phone: (850) 484-1000
- Website: https://www.pensacolastate.edu
8Hillsborough Community College
About the School
Hillsborough Community College offers a Plumber Apprenticeship that includes 720 clock hours.
Apprentices work full-time during the day for a sponsoring employer and complete classroom instruction during evenings or weekends.
There is no tuition or fees for classroom-related instruction.
Apprentices may pay for some tools, books, and materials needed.
In total, the program includes 8,000 on-the-job training hours and 720 classroom hours.
The apprenticeship takes between four and five years to complete.
Applicants must be 18 years of age, and they need a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
Application requirements also include:
- Holding a valid driver’s license
- Having reliable transportation to the job site and classroom
- Being physically able to perform the essential duties of this trade
Contact Information
- Address: 1206 N Park Rd, Plant City, FL 33563
- Phone: 813.253.7000
- Website: https://www.hccfl.edu
9College 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 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 used in construction
- The application and installation of standard plumbing fixtures
- How to identify piping systems and fixture types used in plumbing work
- And many other skills
Contact Information
- Address: 3001 S.W. College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://corporatetraining.cf.edu
10Polk Technical Colleges
Polk Technical Colleges offer a Plumbing program that prepares students for entry-level employment and Plumber Helpers/Apprentices work under the supervision of a licensed plumber.
The program includes training in technical skills, communication skills, interaction on the job site, personal responsibility, and work ethics.
Courses Offered
The program has the following structure:
- Helper, Plumber, Pipefitter
- Residential Plumber
- Commercial Plumber
- Plumbing Applications
In total, the program includes 1080 hours.
The program is available for adult students who are 18 years of age or older.
Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis following a Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System.
Contact Information
- Address: 1915 S. Floral Ave., Bartow, FL 33830
- Phone: 863-534-0500
- Website: https://www.polkschoolsfl.com
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 1,860 | $51,130 | $24.58 | $62,570 | $36,800 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 440 | $51,220 | $24.63 | $62,140 | $37,290 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 630 | $44,870 | $21.57 | $59,320 | $35,120 |
| Gainesville, FL | 410 | $50,160 | $24.11 | $62,350 | $35,990 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 140 | $47,610 | $22.89 | $60,850 | $35,260 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,310 | $53,140 | $25.55 | $64,680 | $37,950 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 650 | $50,040 | $24.06 | $64,360 | $34,060 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 5,990 | $55,640 | $26.75 | $70,940 | $39,010 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 760 | $53,490 | $25.72 | $66,050 | $37,250 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 1,420 | $53,470 | $25.71 | $63,800 | $38,200 |
| Ocala, FL | 350 | $48,630 | $23.38 | $58,940 | $36,350 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 3,640 | $52,720 | $25.35 | $66,220 | $37,670 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 990 | $53,400 | $25.67 | $67,080 | $37,670 |
| Panama City, FL | 400 | $49,290 | $23.7 | $61,350 | $35,900 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 600 | $49,740 | $23.91 | $63,050 | $35,200 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 590 | $51,410 | $24.72 | $64,270 | $34,950 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 260 | $52,460 | $25.22 | $61,250 | $37,890 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 230 | $51,070 | $24.56 | $66,260 | $36,100 |
| Sebring, FL | 80 | $48,100 | $23.13 | $58,860 | $34,710 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 440 | $47,760 | $22.96 | $60,330 | $35,010 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 3,990 | $51,600 | $24.81 | $63,040 | $36,940 |
| The Villages, FL | 190 | $51,370 | $24.7 | $62,040 | $35,670 |
* 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 Florida, is time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
