Trade Schools
If you live in Illinois and you want to become a plumber, this page is for you.
Here you will find information about the best schools that prepare you with the skills and qualifications needed for this job.
Most plumbers and pipefitters learn the ins and outs of this trade through a four or five years apprenticeship.
Apprentices typically earn a wage that increases periodically, as they learn new skills.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbers earn between $40,000 and more than $100,000- depending on experience level, region of employment, and a variety of other factors.
Job prospects also look good.
This profession is projected to grow six percent across the US by 2033.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, take a look at the schools included in our list and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and career aspirations.
1The Building and Fire Code Academy
The Building and Fire Code Academy offers a four-year Plumbing Apprenticeship Education designed to supplement an apprentice plumber’s on-the-job training.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing Apprenticeship Education course of study includes:
- State of Illinois License law
- State of Illinois Plumbing Code
- Blueprint Reading and Drawing
- Hydrodynamic Theory
- First Aid and Safety Procedures
- Hands-on Shop Instruction and Practical Assembly Techniques
- Industry Updates- Techniques and Materials
- Construction and Plumbing Mathematics and Geometry
- And more
The program includes 15 weeks of training per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 2420 Vantage Drive, Elgin, IL 60124
- Phone: 847-428-2951
- Website: https://bfcacademy.com
2Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Local Union 130 UA
About the School
The Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Local Union 130 UA trains apprentices and journeymen of the Plumbing industry through classroom instruction and on-the-job field training.
This apprenticeship can be completed in five years.
During the first three years, apprentices work on the job four days per week and attend one day of classroom instruction.
During the fourth and fifth years, apprentices receive on-the-job training five days per week and attend night school classes from September through June.
Classes that help journeymen continue their training are offered throughout the week at all of the school’s locations.
Classes are available during the day and/or evening.
Contact Information
- Address: 1340 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, IL. 60607
- Phone: (312) 421-1010
- Website: https://plumberslu130ua.com
3University of Illinois Springfield
About the School
University of Illinois Springfield provides 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 the 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
The syllabus includes:
- Plumbing History, Codes, and Principles
- First Aid and Safety
- Basic Math for Plumbing
- Water Heaters
- Sketching
- Introduction to Welding
- Drainage Fixture Units
- Fixture Support
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.uis.edu
4Ranken Technical College
About the School
Ranken Technical College is offering a Plumbing program for students who are looking for a lucrative and fulfilling career option.
The college provides hands-on training in its plumbing technology program.
The program prepares students for the following plumbing careers:
- Residential plumbing technician
- Commercial plumbing technician
- Pipe fitter
- Pipe layer
- Estimator
Courses Offered
Plumbing students become proficient in:
- General electricity principles
- Pipefitting
- Hot and cold water systems
- Sanitary drainage systems
- Industry tools and new technologies
- Venting
Contact Information
- Address: 4431 Finney Ave, St. Louis, MO 63113
- Phone: (314) 371-0236
- Website: https://ranken.edu
5Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute is a leading provider of online education and training for construction professionals.
The following Professional Development Illinois Online Plumber Courses are available at the institute:
- Professional Development 2021 IPC Update- a six-hour text course
- Professional Development Introduction to Fire Sprinklers, Valves, and Hydraulic Calculations- a three-hour course
- Professional Development Sanitary Drainage Systems- a four-hour course
- Professional Development Plan Reading- a one-hour course
- Professional Development Plumbing Math- a one-hour course
- And more
Course costs range from $19 to $79, depending on the course duration.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-284-8738
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
6City Colleges of Chicago
About the School
City Colleges of Chicago offers a Plumbing and Fire Protection, Basic Certificate.
This program is designed to introduce students to plumbing and sprinkler systems through theory and hands-on work.
Graduates will be qualified to work as a plumber’s assistant or fitter’s assistant.
Courses Offered
Program requirements include:
- Basic Arc Welding
- Introduction to Plumbing
- Plumbing Codes
- Basic Plumbing Related Math
- Home Plumbing System
- Professional Development
- Construction Safety
- Blueprint and Specifications
- And more
In total, the program includes 29 hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 180 N. Wabash, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60601 (Mailing Address)
- Phone: (773) 265-5343
- Website: https://www.ccc.edu
7Lake Land College
About the School
An online Foundations of Plumbing course is also available at Lake Land College.
Students in this program learn specialized plumbing skills and terminology specific to residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
The coursework also covers math, geometry, and physical principles needed to work on plumbing systems.
The program includes 145 course hours and costs $2,245.
After enrollment, 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
The syllabus includes topics such as:
- Plumbing History, Codes, and Principles
- First Aid and Safety
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Water Heaters
- Basic Math for Plumbing
- Water Heaters
- Sketching
- Introduction to Welding
- Drainage Fixture Units
- Fixture Support
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.lakelandcollege.edu
8Plumbing Code Consultants
About the School
Plumbing Code Consultants offers Plumbing Apprentice Code Training in Illinois.
Plumbing Apprentice Code Training Classes are only offered for licensed apprentices who are currently employed by Illinois plumbing contractors.
Trainings are offered by semester and each includes 15 weeks of instruction.
This program costs $1,500.
Students attend 15 weeks of two-hour plumbing code instruction.
And Exam Prep Workshop is also available.
This includes:
- A written portion (50-60 code questions)
- A drawing portion
- A practical portion
- Exam prep materials will be provided on the day of the workshop.
Students also receive access to online training courses with tips and study materials.
This costs $1,250 per attendee.
Contact Information
- Address: 860 Commerce Dr. South Elgin, IL 60177
- Phone: (847) 379-1177
- Website: https://plumbingedu.com
9Triton College
Triton College offers more than 100 degree programs for students seeking an associate degree and for those who are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a Plumbing Certificate.
The curriculum covers everything from understanding code compliance and blueprint to mastering electrical systems and exploring new technologies.
Students take classes such as:
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training
- Introduction to Architecture
- Construction Trade Math
- Plumbing Fixtures, Valves & Faucets
- Construction Planning & Scheduling
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Triton College, 2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171
- Phone: (708) 456-0300
- Website: https://www.triton.edu
10Northwestern University
About the School
If you want to get a four-year degree, this option is also open.
Northwestern offers a Mechanical Engineering Degree program that includes core courses as well as major courses such as:
- Mechanics of Materials
- Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
- Fundamentals of Computer Programming
- Electronics Design
- Intro to Mechanical Design and Manufacturing
- Fluid Mechanics
- Intro to Dynamic Systems
- And more
Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 633 Clark Street, Evanston, IL 60208
- Phone: (847) 491-5117
- Website: https://www.northwestern.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 200 | $79,270 | $38.11 | $105,470 | $45,560 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 390 | $84,780 | $40.76 | $109,870 | $48,470 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 14,230 | $92,410 | $44.43 | $123,600 | $50,210 |
| Decatur, IL | 160 | $79,030 | $38.00 | $121,070 | $47,460 |
| Kankakee, IL | 120 | $85,330 | $41.03 | $120,910 | $46,210 |
| Peoria, IL | 570 | $80,110 | $38.51 | $112,750 | $46,550 |
| Rockford, IL | 440 | $83,840 | $40.31 | $120,300 | $47,390 |
| Springfield, IL | 280 | $82,610 | $39.71 | $113,320 | $46,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a plumber can lead to a financially and personally rewarding career.
If this is the path you want to pursue, now that you have read our list, it’s time to pick the school that best fits your needs after completing thorough research.
