Trade Schools
With an expected job growth of 6 percent over the next ten years, plumbing is a profession that will continue to be in demand in the future.
Plumbers will be needed to maintain and repair plumbing systems in old buildings and to install systems in new construction projects.
If you live in Louisiana and want to become a plumber, this page is for you.
A plumber’s annual wage may 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.
1South Louisiana Community College
About the School
South Louisiana Community College offers a short-term Plumbing program that helps students master real-world skills in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
Students learn how to repair and install hot water tanks, sinks, tubs, toilets, and gas lines in less than six months.
Tuition for this program is $6,000 and includes tools and book rental.
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Being 16+ to take the course
- Being 17+ to take the apprenticeship
- No high school diploma, GED, or HiSET is required
The program includes key contents such as:
- Introduction to the Plumbing Profession
- Plumbing Safety
- Tools for the Plumbing Trade
- Plumbing Drawings
- Plastic Pipe and Fittings
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Basic Electricity
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
- Phone: 337.521.9000
- Website: https://www.solacc.edu
2Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
About the School
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College offers a plumbing program that includes 48 credit hours and leads to a technical diploma.
The program provides classroom theory education supported by hands-on activities.
It is designed to provide specialized skills education based on industry standards.
After completing the diploma and 4,000 apprenticeship hours, graduates are eligible to take the Tradesman license test.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Tools and Mechanics
- Water and Waste
- Methods and Materials
- Math for the Plumbing Career
- Interpreting Blueprints
- Piping Techniques
- Pipefitting
- Piping & Sizing
- Building Drains
- Safety Applications
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 943 Oxford Road, Mansfield, LA 71052
- Phone: (318) 872-2243
- Website: https://www.nltcc.edu
3Louisiana Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association
About the School
Louisiana Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association provides an apprenticeship program approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
The program is overseen by the Louisiana State Department of Labor to prepare professionals for state-regulated testing and licensing.
Apprentices shall be at least 16 years of age at the time of entry into the program, but state or local laws and applicable regulations supersede the minimum age requirement.
A high school diploma or GED equivalency is recommended before enrolling in the program.
Credit may be granted to applicants who have previous experience but the credit will be no greater than the equivalent of four semesters.
The attendance fee is $900/semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 620 Florida St., Suite 210, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
- Phone: 225-343-2776
- Website: https://www.laphcc.org
4Sowela Technical Community College
About the School
Sowela Technical Community College offers a General Apprenticeship with a concentration in Plumbing Construction.
This 50-credit-hour program for plumbers and steamfitters apprentices prepares them with the required classroom theory required to attain the level of journeyman in the plumbing field.
This program aims to provide specialized skilled trades courses in an effort to provide students with the skills needed based on industry standards to become plumbing journeymen.
The curriculum emphasizes the development of a common set of trade skills.
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to Plumbing Apprenticeship
- Job Safety & Health
- Apprentice Trade-Related Mathematics
- Apprentice Trade Technology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70615
- Phone: (337) 421-6565
- Website: https://www.sowela.edu
5UA Local 198
About the School
UA Local 198 Plumbers, Steamfitters, and Refrigeration Fitters offers apprenticeship and journeyman training.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to start in the Apprenticeship Training Program.
A high school education or equivalent is required.
The five-year apprenticeship program has the following areas of study:
- Plumbing
- Pipefitting
- HVAC
- Welding
School training takes place from September to the end of May.
All classes are evening classes.
Contact Information
- Address: Three Park Place Annapolis, MD21401
- Phone: 410-269-2000
- Website: https://local198.org
6University of Louisiana Lafayette
About the School
University of Louisiana Lafayette offers a Foundations of Plumbing course that is available fully online.
The course trains students for a career in plumbing.
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: 1606 Johnston St Lafayette, LA 70503 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careerpathways.louisiana.edu
7New Orleans Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Program
About the School
New Orleans Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Program offers a training program that consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Apprentices receive raises every six months.
After completing the program apprentices become journeymen as Plumbers, Pipefitters, or HVACR Service Technicians.
Courses Offered
The training covers Plumbing, Welding, Blueprint Interpretation, Computer, Drafting, HVACR, Electrical, Refrigeration, and Rigging.
Safety training is also included in every course.
Accepted students are enrolled with the Louisiana Technical College System as well as Washtenaw Community College.
Those who successfully complete the courses earn college credits that can be used towards a Contraction Supervision AAS and/or Journeyman Industrial AAS degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 2541 N. Arnoult Rd., Suite 122, Metairie, LA 70002
- Phone: (504) 885-8033
- Website: https://www.ualocal60.org
8Orleans Technical College
About the School
Orleans Technical College offers a Plumbing and Heating career training program.
Students may earn a Trades Diploma in just six or 13 months.
The career training program is hands-on, so students are gaining the skills that employers are looking for.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to apply.
Orleans Tech’s Plumbing and Heating students design and build a fully functional bathroom with a toilet, sink, and bathtub.
Students are instructed in the installation and repair of forced hot air heaters, related ductwork, and hydronic heaters with radiators and baseboard units.
Contact Information
- Address: 2770 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114
- Phone: 215-728-4700
- Website: https://orleanstech.edu
9Louisiana Plumbing Institute
About the School
Louisiana Plumbing Institute offers in-class related instructional training that intends to provide students with a neutral setting that allows apprentices to retain what they learned and use it when they need it most.
Apprentices also receive tools to be better communicators, learn how proper plumbing helps to keep the world safe, skills testing, and training modules with a licensed plumber who provides feedback for improvement.
Tuition is $700 per semester
Additional costs include:
- $165 for textbook and workbook
- $50 apprenticeship fee for an ID card paid annually
- $50 per semester for class materials
Contact Information
- Address: 4310 Ryan Street Ste. 115, Lake Charles, LA 70605
- Phone: 337-912-3695
- Website: https://www.learnplumbingnow.com
10Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute offers the following Louisiana Online Plumber courses:
- 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 Sprinklers, Valves, and Hydraulic Calculations
- Professional Development Sanitary Drainage Systems
- Professional Development Plan Reading
- Professional Development Plumbing Math
- Professional Development NFPA 13D Basics Layout
- Professional Development Hazard Communication
Costs range from $19 to $79.
Plumbers Training Institute classes may be completed from anywhere, anytime.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-284-8738
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 210 | $55,990 | $26.92 | $74,170 | $35,790 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 3,400 | $69,910 | $33.61 | $79,030 | $49,480 |
| Hammond, LA | 120 | $54,960 | $26.42 | $73,510 | $35,800 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 510 | $55,370 | $26.62 | $66,680 | $46,690 |
| Lafayette, LA | 550 | $55,410 | $26.64 | $75,590 | $35,080 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 760 | $65,930 | $31.70 | $76,180 | $46,010 |
| Monroe, LA | 220 | $53,130 | $25.55 | $74,790 | $34,380 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,530 | $62,180 | $29.90 | $79,940 | $38,830 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 770 | $56,030 | $26.94 | $74,890 | $36,390 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 310 | $56,750 | $27.28 | $78,140 | $38,270 |
* 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 Louisiana it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
