Trade Schools
If you live in Michigan and want to become a plumber, this page is designed to provide you with information about the schools and programs that can prepare you for your first job in the field.
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.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, you have to know how to safely perform 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
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.
To help you choose the program that best meets your needs, on this page, we have compiled information about the best plumbing schools in your state.
1U.S. Career Institute
About the School
U.S. Career Institute offers a self-paced online plumbing school 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
There are no set class schedules, which means that students can complete the coursework 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
2West Michigan Construction Institute
About the School
West Michigan Construction Institute offers an introductory plumbing training program that teaches students the basics of how to launch a successful commercial plumbing career.
Students in Plumbing 1 also receive their CORE: Foundational Construction Skills certification, an NCCER-certified program that covers the foundational skills of the construction industry.
Courses Offered
Students learn concepts needed to safely install, test, maintain, and repair different types of pipe systems.
The curriculum also covers math, drawings, code, and other skills needed to ensure students are ready for job success.
Tuition for this program is $4,000.
The program is structured as follows:
- Plumbing I- the introductory plumbing course
- Plumbing II- a program that includes a deeper discussion on plumbing-related math and exploration of installation processes
- Plumbing III- a comprehensive understanding of the various components and techniques required for plumbing systems
Contact Information
- Address: 801 Century Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States
- Phone: 616-208-9624
- Website: https://www.wmcinstitute.com
3Macomb Community College
About the School
Macomb Community College offers a Plumbing and Pipe Fitting program.
In this Applied Technology and Apprenticeship program, courses are taught by plumbers and pipe fitters who have worked or are currently working in the field.
Courses Offered
Plumbing students learn skills such as:
- Fittings and valves
- Pressure gauges
- Pipe calculations
- Valve installation and maintenance
- Drawing flow and proper venting
- And much more
Contact Information
- Address: 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038-1139
- Phone: 866.Macomb1 – Toll Free
- Website: https://www.macomb.edu
4Plumbers 98 & MCA Detroit
About the School
Plumbers 98 & MCA Detroit Training Center is sponsored by the JATC of Plumbers Local 98 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit.
The center offers an apprenticeship that gives students the opportunity to earn 30-38 college credits toward an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from local community colleges.
Students earn while they learn.
The total salary over the five-year apprenticeship program is approximately $250,000 in wage and fringe benefits.
Courses Offered
The training covers:
- Welding
- Use and Care of Tools
- Construction Safety
- Pipes, Valves and Fittings
- Drawing and Plan Reading
- Related Mathematics
- Drainage
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 1911 Ring Drive, Troy, MI 48083
- Phone: 248-585-1435
- Website: https://plumbers98tc.org
5Thornton & Grooms
About the School
Thornton & Grooms prepares students for a career in plumbing through a Plumbing apprenticeship.
Students receive 14 weeks of free training.
The 14-week Plumbing Apprenticeship program is designed to give students with little or no plumbing experience the tools they need to build a foundation in the trades field.
The plumbing coursework consists of:
- 25% classroom
- 25% skills lab
- 50% field training
Students learn the basic principles of plumbing, drain systems, vents, water lines, and fixture installation.
They have opportunities to see and work on all plumbing projects in real-life situations.
First-hand customer interactions are also available to give students the opportunity to put their soft skills training to work.
Contact Information
- Address: 24565 Hallwood Ct, Farmington Hills, MI 48335
- Phone: 248-479-4926
- Website: https://thorntonandgrooms.com
6Central Michigan University
About the School
Central Michigan University offers a Foundations of Plumbing course that is available fully online.
The course trains students for a career in plumbing by teaching the fundamental, job-ready skills relevant to the plumbing and piping industry.
Students in this self-paced 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 12-month program includes 145 course hours and costs $2,245.
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: 802 Industrial Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.cmich.edu
7Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute offers the following Michigan Online Plumber courses:
- Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep
- Master Plumber Exam Prep
- Continuing Education
The following Journeyman Plumber Exam prep classes are available:
- Michigan 2021 IPC Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep- a 12-hour course that costs $389 and prepares students for the plumbing exam based on the International Plumbing Code and the Skilled Trades Regulation Act
- Michigan Plumbing Math- a one-hour course that costs $29
- Michigan Plumbing Vents- a one-hour course that costs $29
- Michigan Plumbing Isometric Basics- a half-hour course that costs $19
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
8UA Local 333 Plumbers, Pipefitters, HVAC Mechanics
About the School
UA Local 333 Plumbers, Pipefitters, HVAC Mechanics offers a five-year Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship.
This program consists of 9,000 hours of on-the-job training and 1,000 hours of classroom instruction satisfied over a five-year period.
While they learn the trade, apprenticeships also work for a contractor and earn wages and benefits to support their families for the next 40 years.
Apprentices earn while they learn.
Wages start at 45% journeyman scale.
Raises are given every six months if program requirements are met.
Apprentices also receive medical and dental benefits for their spouses and children after one week of work.
Contact Information
- Address: 5405 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Lansing, MI 48911
- Phone: (517) 393-5480
- Website: https://www.ua333.org
9Rocket Cert
About the School
Rocket Cert offers Plumbing Continuing Education courses.
Michigan Plumbing Continuing Education classes are available.
Students pay $89 for five hours of online education.
The course includes the changes to the 2018 Michigan Plumbing Code.
The training is offered online in a self-paced format and can be completed by students from anywhere, anytime.
Students receive an instant certificate of completion.
The education is written by industry experts.
Contact Information
- Address: 408 N Cedar Bluff Rd, Ste 236, Knoxville, TN 37923
- Phone: (800) 495-6612
- Website: https://rocketcert.com
10TradesmanCE
About the School
TradesmanCE offers a Michigan Plumbing Continuing Education course that is approved by the State of Michigan to satisfy continuing education requirements.
This course is fully online and can be accessed from any device 24/7.
Once students finish their course, the school provides them with an official certificate of completion for their records.
The three-hour course provides a comprehensive overview of the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code updates.
Key topics include changes to drainage, venting systems, and material standards, as well as new regulations for seismic support and flood hazard resistance.
Contact Information
- Phone: (877) 724-6150
- Website: https://www.tradesmance.com
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 330 | $73,780 | $35.47 | $103,970 | $41,510 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 90 | $67,730 | $32.56 | $101,370 | $39,970 |
| Bay City, MI | 80 | $72,100 | $34.66 | $104,040 | $43,610 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 5,590 | $76,710 | $36.88 | $103,930 | $46,350 |
| Flint, MI | 670 | $75,370 | $36.23 | $100,450 | $44,740 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 1,790 | $70,110 | $33.71 | $97,970 | $41,800 |
| Jackson, MI | 220 | $79,050 | $38.01 | $108,510 | $43,220 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 890 | $76,360 | $36.71 | $97,940 | $46,470 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 520 | $72,840 | $35.02 | $102,910 | $39,600 |
| Midland, MI | 80 | $62,260 | $29.93 | $99,460 | $40,520 |
| Monroe, MI | 140 | $74,700 | $35.92 | $109,410 | $44,440 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 160 | $72,500 | $34.86 | $93,600 | $41,380 |
| Niles, MI | 80 | $63,500 | $30.53 | $98,640 | $43,130 |
| Saginaw, MI | 280 | $71,870 | $34.55 | $106,450 | $43,570 |
| Traverse City, MI | 180 | $63,090 | $30.33 | $96,680 | $37,520 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Michigan is home to many trade schools that can prepare you with the skills needed to become a plumber.
Most programs consist of a combination of classroom and hands-on learning.
Now that you have read our selection of the best training options available in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your needs.
