Trade Schools
If you live in Indiana and want to start a career in plumbing, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best schools that offer plumbing programs.
Our list includes both in-person and online courses.
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.
Salaries range from less than $40,000 and more than $100,000 depending on experience and a variety of other factors.
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.
1Mechanical Skills, Inc- Plumbing Apprenticeship School
About the School
Mechanical Skills, Inc.- Plumbing Apprenticeship School provides a four-year training program.
The curriculum is written by a team of contractors, educators, and code and industry experts.
School instructors are contractors with real-world experience combined with instructor facilitation training.
The program was ranked as one of the top plumbing school programs in the nation.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Plumbing Code Definitions
- Plumbing, History, Codes and Principles
- Tools of the Plumbing Trade
- First Aid and Safety
- Basic Math for Plumbing
- Gases in Plumbing Work
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Water Piping Sizing
- Codes and Hot Water
- Sewage Disposal Methods
- Building Drains
- Properties of Water
- Blueprints and Specifications
- Gas Combustion and Controls
- Ratios and Proportions
- Water Treatment
- Water Piping Service and Repair
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 3535 E Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201
- Phone: (317) 352-1189
- Website: https://www.mechanicalskills.org
2Fort Wayne Community College
About the School
Fort Wayne Community Schools offers a Plumbing & Pipefitting off-campus program.
Students learn how to assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems.
They may also have the opportunity to install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following pathway-specific classes that students take in their junior year:
- Principles of Plumbing & Pipefitting
- Plumbing & Pipefitting Fundamentals
- Advance Plumbing and Pipefitting
The following capstone options are available:
- Plumbing & Pipefitting Capstone
- Cooperative Education
- Work-Based Learning Capstone
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
- Website: https://www.fortwayneschools.org
3Local 157 Training Center
About the School
Local 157 Training Center has a history of more than 100 years of training Journeymen and Apprentices in the Plumbing and Pipefitting industry.
The center offers the following classes:
- Building Trades Certification Classes:
- Industrial Rigging/Signaling Recent Class & Test
- Orbital Welding
- Tube Bending
- Plastic Fusion
- Gas Distribution Certification Classes
The center also provides apprenticeships that combine classroom with on-the-job training.
Students learn from instructors who are experienced journeyman plumbers and pipefitters.
They follow the UA curriculum in trade-related fields of study.
Contact Information
- Address: 8707 East Milner Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803-9796
- Phone: 812-877-1736
- Website: https://www.157trainingcenter.org
4Indiana PHCC
About the School
Indiana Plumbing- Heating- Cooling Contractors Association offers local, state, and national events and training programs that take place throughout the year.
The association also offers apprenticeships in Indiana.
Apprentices have an employer as their sponsor and start attending classes to reach the 576 required hours of classroom training.
They achieve 7,600 on-the-job hours working full-time for an employer.
PHCC plumbing apprentice schools are located in different areas, including Ft. Wayne, South Central, North Central, Northwest, Southwestern, Southeastern, And St. Joe Valley.
Contact Information
- Address: 12175 Visionary Way, Suite 500, Fishers, IN 46038
- Phone: (317) 575-9292
- Website: https://www.inphcc.com
5Hoosier Trade School
About the School
Hoosier Trade School offers a Service, Maintenance, and Installation Technician learning path that equips trainees with all the necessary skills to diagnose, solve, repair, and install gas and electric residential and light commercial HVAC systems.
The program can be completed in four months.
In-house financing is available.
Tools, equipment, and textbooks sum up to $500.
The entry-level training curriculum welcomes students to earn their EPA card and certification on a fast-tracked timeline.
Students learn from experienced and certified instructors.
The program is focused on hands-on learning in a real shop.
Contact Information
- Address: 8357 Bash St #200, Indianapolis, IN 46250
- Phone: (317) 505-1784
- Website: https://www.hoosiertradeschool.com
6Indiana Tech
About the School
Indiana Tech 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: 1600 East Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46803 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.indianatech.edu
7Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute is a leading provider of online education and training for construction professionals.
The institute offers Indiana Journeyman & Contractor Plumber Exam Prep.
The following exam prep courses are available at the institute:
- Indiana Plumbing Contractor and Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep- a 15-hour course
- Indiana Business and Law Exam Prep- a six-hour course
- Indiana Master Plumber Isometrics- a three-hour course
- Indiana Plumbing Math- a one-hour course
- Indiana Plumbing Vents- a one-hour course
Course costs range from $29 to $489, depending on the course duration.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-284-8738
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
8DMAC Tech Trade School Online
About the School
Plumbing courses can also be completed online, at schools located in other states.
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
9U.S. Career Institute
About the School
U.S. Career Institute offers a self-paced online plumbing program that teaches students everything they need to know in order to obtain a Plumbing Apprentice position.
Students learn skills such as:
- Applying basic customer service principles to on-the-job situations.
- Describing tools of the plumbing trade and their proper use
- Describing common plumbing fixtures, faucets, and valves
- Interpreting plumbing drawings and sketches
Students can study anytime, from anywhere.
If paid in full, this course costs $1,239.
Tuition includes access to instructors, all the learning materials, and career support.
Contact Information
- Address: 2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, CO
- Phone: 866-262-7883
- Website: https://learn.uscareerinstitute.edu
10Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers a Plumber School that leads to a career diploma in just six months.
The school offers flexible online classes that equip students with skills such as pipefitting, reading blueprints, installing water heaters, and more.
The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs like plumbing technician, pipefitter technician, steamfitter technician, and fire sprinkler installer.
The online program includes interactive study guides, how-to-videos, and animations that allow students to apply what they have learned to real-world plumbing situations.
Courses Offered
Courses include:
- Modern Plumbing
- Introduction to Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Reading Piping Prints
If paid in full, this program costs $839.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 US
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 320 | $74,160 | $35.65 | $96,810 | $45,070 |
| Columbus, IN | 120 | $75,040 | $36.08 | $94,580 | $44,400 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 510 | $62,940 | $30.26 | $91,830 | $44,890 |
| Evansville, IN | 450 | $66,700 | $32.07 | $96,040 | $40,750 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 1,200 | $73,330 | $35.26 | $97,650 | $43,900 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 4,160 | $69,600 | $33.46 | $98,670 | $44,550 |
| Kokomo, IN | 420 | $78,540 | $37.76 | $98,410 | $47,890 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 320 | $62,310 | $29.96 | $95,650 | $38,830 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 110 | $65,810 | $31.64 | $97,100 | $45,590 |
| Muncie, IN | 60 | $59,120 | $28.42 | $83,470 | $42,690 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 530 | $71,280 | $34.27 | $97,670 | $44,120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 400 | $76,480 | $36.77 | $97,580 | $44,600 |
* 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.
Our list of the best plumbing schools in Indiana provides you with information about some of the best training options available in your state and online.
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.
