Trade Schools
If you live in Idaho and you want to become a plumber, this page is for you.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, you have to prepare for tasks such as:
- Reading and interpreting blueprints
- Installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing systems in buildings
- Fixing and repairing various appliances
- Preparing cost estimates
- Handling customer queries
- And more
Plumbers 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.
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.
1College of Western Idaho
About the School
The College of Western Idaho offers a variety of degrees and career training programs.
Among many other pathways, the college provides a Plumbing Apprenticeship that combines education with earning opportunities.
The program is available at Canyon County Center.
Courses Offered
Students have the following learning opportunities:
- Installation & Maintenance Skills
- Plumbing Codes & Regulations
- Blueprint Reading & Interpretation
- Real-World Experience
- Pathway to Certification
This program leads to a Certificate and costs $1,295.
Additional costs may apply.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 3010, Nampa, ID 83653
- Phone: 208.562.3000
- Website: https://cwi.edu
2North Idaho College
About the School
North Idaho College offers a Workforce Training Center that has met the training needs of the region’s workforce for more than 30 years.
Classes are open to the public generally without pre-admission, academic, or residential requirements.
Courses Offered
The college provides several apprentice programs, including a Plumbing Apprenticeship.
The program includes 144 hours of annual classroom/lab instruction and covers topics related to:
- Piping installation
- Fixture assembly
- Maintenance and repair
- Blueprint reading
- And more
This four-year program, paired with 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning qualifies apprentices to test for their Idaho Plumbing Journeyman license.
A fully online Plumbing Appliance Specialty program is also available at the college.
This course qualifies students to sit for the State of Idaho Appliance Specialty License Exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, ID 83854
- Phone: (208) 769-3333
- Website: https://www.nic.edu
3CSI Workforce Development & Training
About the School
CSI Workforce Development & Training offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship.
This program is designed to provide on-the-job hands-on experience combined with classroom training.
Course content is delivered online with in-class lectures and discussions.
Students must attend classes one evening per week.
The program has the following entrance requirements:
- Being at least 16 years of age
- Working under the constant supervision of a licensed Plumber Journeyman or Master Plumber
- Apply for an Apprentice Plumbing License through the Division of Building Safety.
Contact Information
- Address: 315 Falls Avenue, PO Box 1238, Twin Falls, ID, 83303-1238
- Phone: (208) 732-6310
- Website: https://workforce.csi.edu
4Idaho Works
About the School
Idaho Works offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program.
This is a four-year program that prepares students for the Journeyman’s test with the Idaho Division of Building Safety.
Apprentices learn from industry experts in the classroom while applying their knowledge on the job under the supervision of a licensed Journeyman.
The total in-state program cost is $5,250.
The program covers topics such as:
- Assembling pipes
- Cleaning the water supply
- Handling tools
- Cleaning job sites
- Theory, code, and installation methods
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404
- Phone: (208) 535-5336
- Website: https://idahoworks.gov
5Idaho State University
About the School
Idaho State University offers a variety of programs at four locations: Meridian, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and eISU Online.
More than 250 programs are available across seven colleges.
Courses Offered
Among many other programs, the university offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
Apprentices earn a salary that starts at half the salary of a journeyman.
They receive pay increases as they learn to perform more complex tasks.
An Associate of Applied Science: Plumbing Apprenticeship program is also available for students who complete the four-year Apprenticeship, apply at the registers office, and complete the 15 Gen Ed credit course.
Contact Information
- Address: 921 South 8th Avenue | Pocatello, Idaho, 83209
- Phone: (208) 282-4636
- Website: https://www.isu.edu/
6College of Eastern Idaho
About the School
The College of Eastern Idaho offers quality education and provides students with access to qualified instructors and state-of-the-art educational equipment and techniques.
Courses Offered
The college offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program through its Workforce Training division.
This is the classwork portion of the apprenticeship and is taught by highly experienced Journeyman and Master Journeyman.
The first-year class covers trades math, tools, drawings, and drainage.
Students in years two, three, and four also learn about basic electricity, gas piping, pipe sizing, water treatment, and many other topics.
Apprentices must also complete 2000 hours of on-the-job experience for each year of the apprenticeship.
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83404
- Phone: (208) 524-3000
- Website: https://www.cei.edu
7Lewis Clark State College
About the School
Lewis Clark State College offers more than 130 degrees and certificates.
LC State provides a small college environment, and student-centered, hands-on experience.
The college offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program for those who are actively employed in the trade and want to improve their skills.
The program leads to an Associate Degree.
This includes 16-18 General Education requirements, including written and oral communication, math for technology, social and behavioral ways of knowing, and General Education core courses.
The remaining 64 credits are plumbing-based theories and apprenticeship work.
The 80-credit program is offered in Lewiston through the School of Career & Technical Education.
Contact Information
- Address: Reid Centennial Hall 114, 500 8th Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501
- Phone: 208-792-2378
- Website: https://www.lcsc.edu
8Boise State University
About the School
Boise State University offers a fully online Foundations of Plumbing course.
Students in this program 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 program includes 145 course hours and costs $2,245.
Students have 12 months to complete the course.
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 and concepts
Contact Information
- Address: 220 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise, ID 83706 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/boisestate
9Rocket Cert
About the School
Rocket Cert offers Plumbing Continuing Education courses.
An Idaho Plumbing Continuing Education program is available.
The course leads to an instant certificate of completion.
The educational content is written by industry experts.
The training is available 24/7 and students can start and stop as needed.
The mobile-ready courses can be taken from nearly any device at any location.
Contact Information
- Address: 408 N Cedar Bluff Rd, Ste 236, Knoxville, TN 37923
- Phone: (800) 495-6612
- Website: https://rocketcert.com
10DMAC Tech Trade School Online
About the School
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
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 2,060 | $59,720 | $28.71 | $79,550 | $39,980 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 330 | $60,600 | $29.14 | $81,410 | $43,430 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 330 | $58,220 | $27.99 | $77,220 | $38,280 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 180 | $57,340 | $27.57 | $76,830 | $39,240 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Idaho is home to many trade schools that can prepare you with the skills needed to become a plumber through a combination of classroom and hands-on learning.
Now that you have read our selection of the best training options available in your region, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your needs.
