Trade Schools
If you live in Missouri and want to start a career in plumbing, this page will provide you with information about the best plumbing schools in your state and the programs they offer.
Here we have compiled information about the best schools that offer training for this profession.
Typically plumbers learn the skills for this profession on the job, by enrolling in an apprenticeship.
Some also attend a vocational school before starting the apprenticeship.
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
If you want to learn the above skills, we encourage you to start by reading our list of the best training options available in Missouri.
1Ranken Technical College
Ranken Technical College prepares students for a path toward rewarding and lucrative careers.
Programs are available for the most in-demand technical careers.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing Technology program at Ranken Technical College provides hands-on training that prepares students for installing and maintaining piping systems in residential and commercial locations.
The nine-month program is based on hands-on, real-world experiences.
This is one of the four original programs, offered by Ranken since 1907.
Students work a real residential job site to install the necessary plumbing components.
They become proficient in:
- General electricity principles
- Pipefitting
- Hot and cold water 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
2Local 8 Training Center
About the School
Local 8 Training Center prepares journeypersons and apprentices with the skills to be leaders in welding, backflow protection, medical gases, and many other areas.
The five-year curriculum consists of over 1800 hours of classroom and hands-on training and over 8,750 hours of on-the-job training.
Students receive backflow, medical gas, and plumbing licenses.
Apprentices are required to have a minimum of 240 hours of classroom training and 1,750 hours of on-the-job training every year before advancing to the next level of training.
After completing the apprenticeship, journeypersons are fully licensed and certified.
The instruction is provided at no cost to the trainees.
Contact Information
- Address: 5950 Manchester Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64130
- Phone: 816-895-8888
- Website: https://plumberslocal8trainingcenter.com
3Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center
About the School
Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center offers a Plumbing program that lasts 33 weeks and provides adult students with fundamental knowledge and practical skills in the plumbing field.
The program offers hands-on learning experiences, enabling participants to acquire essential techniques and expertise required for entry-level positions in the plumbing industry.
Students gain a solid understanding of plumbing systems, tools, materials, and safety protocols.
They also become proficient in installing, repairing, and maintaining residential and commercial plumbing systems.
Students learn how to read and interpret basic building and plumbing codes, measure and calculate pipe offsets used in plumbing, and identify plumbing symbols and abbreviations used in architectural drawings.
This course costs $2,500- tuition and books included.
Contact Information
- Address: 1080 South Silver Springs RoadCape Girardeau, MO 63703
- Phone: 573.334.0826
- Website: https://www.capectc.org
4Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562
About the School
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 offers a superior education program for apprentice plumbers and pipefitters.
This program integrates technical, on-the-job, and academic training to meet the employment and personal needs of the school’s contractors, customers, and communities.
On-the-job and classroom training are planned and integrated to provide the necessary groundwork for plumber and pipefitter apprentices.
Over the course of five years, apprentices learn their craft from journeymen in the field while also attending formal classroom training.
On their own time, apprentices train for an additional four hours per week in the classroom in skills such as:
- General pipefitting
- Rigging
- Plumber and pipefitter math
- Blueprint reading and drafting
- Pipe fabrication
- Fiber optics
- Workplace safety
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3640 Corporate Trail Drive, Earth City, MO 63045
- Phone: (314) 355-1000
- Website: https://local562.org
5Missouri PHCC
About the School
Missouri PHCC offers its members a variety of educational programs to meet the licensing requirements of various municipalities.
The PHCC offers an e-learning program that allows for self-paced, remote learning at a rate much lower than traditional trade schools.
Four courses are available:
- Plumbing Pre-Apprentice Course
- Apprenticeship Program
- Fast Track to Service Plumbing Course
- Plumbing & HVAC Workforce Readiness Course
The Pre-Apprentice course covers topics such as Foundations, Safety, Science and Math, Plumbing Systems and Products, Troubleshooting (Fixtures), Troubleshooting (Gas)
Contact Information
- Address: 119 S. Main St, St Charles, MO 63301
- Phone: 314-242-9570
- Website: https://mophcc.com
6Missouri Valley College
About the School
Missouri Valley College offers a Foundations of Plumbing course that is available online.
This program costs $2,995 with tools included.
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, 145-hour program 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: 500 East College, Marshall, MO 65340 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.moval.edu
7U.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
8Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers a six-month Plumber program that is available online and allows students to use their troubleshooting skills while offering a valuable service.
The flexible online classes help students to build industry knowledge at their own pace, right from home.
Students learn fundamental skills that are essential to becoming a plumber, skills such as:
- Pipefitting
- Reading blueprints
- Installing water heaters
- And more
The program prepares students for entry-level jobs such as 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.
The online course includes:
- Modern Plumbing
- Introduction to Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Reading Piping Prints
This program costs $939.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
9Midwest Technical Institute
About the School
Midwest Technical Institute has a campus in Springfield, Missouri.
The campus was established in 2012 and offers several mechanical and skilled trades programs, including a Welding and Pipefitting program.
This 10-month program provides the hands-on training needed to become a proficient welder and pipefitter.
The program includes the following pipe-fitting skills:
- Proper rigging and pipe hanger install
- Read ISO drawings
- Measure/fabricate 45-degree offsets
- Find unknown angles
- Fabricate/weld saddles
- Review all pipe applications
- And many more
Contact Information
- Address: 3600 S Glenstone Ave Springfield, MO 65804
- Phone: 800-814-5124
- Website: https://www.midwesttech.edu
10Ozarks Technical Community College
About the School
Ozarks Technical Community College offers a Plumbing Technology program that leads to a Plumbing Technology Certificate.
The plumbing curriculum is designed to equip students to execute plumbing tasks efficiently from day one.
The coursework covers essential technical skills, safety practices, and customer service.
OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following credentials:
- Certificate of Achievement- a 33-credit hour program that costs between $7,454-$9,401
- Short-Term Training
Contact Information
- Address: 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802
- Phone: (417) 447-7500
- Website: https://programs.otc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 110 | $66,380 | $31.91 | $101,310 | $37,370 |
| Columbia, MO | 260 | $63,720 | $30.64 | $98,300 | $43,900 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 250 | $54,740 | $26.32 | $66,230 | $43,360 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 160 | $66,280 | $31.87 | $103,780 | $39,740 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 3,300 | $75,650 | $36.37 | $117,500 | $45,960 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 120 | $61,260 | $29.45 | $91,720 | $43,640 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 4,150 | $77,490 | $37.26 | $113,320 | $46,290 |
| Springfield, MO | 670 | $63,980 | $30.76 | $102,790 | $40,860 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career in trades, the plumbing profession may be the right path for you.
Now that you have read our list of the best Plumbing schools in Missouri, is time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
