Trade Schools
If you live in New Jersey and want to start a career in plumbing, we encourage you to start by reading our selection of the best plumbing schools in your state.
Our list includes certificate programs that can be completed in a few months and apprenticeships that take up to five years to complete but include paid on-the-job training as well as classroom instruction.
Courses focus on teaching job-ready skills 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
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 per year as of May 2023.
So, if you want to start a career in trades that can be both personally and financially rewarding, we encourage you to read further.
1HoHoKus School
HoHoKus School offers training programs that include personal attention and personalized education.
The school has a variety of modern welding and machine shops to provide students with the real-world training needed to succeed on the job.
Courses Offered
The Plumber Apprenticeship program that leads to a Diploma is available at the school.
This program prepares students for a career in both residential and light commercial plumbing.
Training covers the installation and maintenance of plumbing fixtures, drainage, vent, and waste systems, hot water, and radiant heating systems, following OSHA standards and building codes.
The program can be completed in nine months by day students and in 18 months by evening students.
Contact Information
- Address: 10 South Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, NJ 07446
- Phone: 201-989-1131
- Website: https://eastwick.edu
2UA Local 1
About the School
UA Local 1 prepares apprentices for the future and offers journeyman continuing education.
The apprenticeship is five years long and has been recognized by the plumbing trade since 1883.
Graduates are fully-qualified plumbers and gas-fitters, armed with numerous technical skills, and the documented certifications to prove it.
The apprenticeship regimen consists of on-the-job training and attendance at regularly scheduled technical classes.
The program is approved by the New York State Department of Education and follows the curriculum established at the national level by the U.A. Training Department.
The subjects cover:
- Trade mathematics
- Technical blueprint reading
- Mechanical drawing
- Computer science and CAD
- Water supply
- Plumbing code interpretation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 50-02 Fifth Street, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, New York 11101
- Phone: 718-738-7500
- Website: https://www.ualocal1.org
3The Training Center
The Training Center was founded in 1982 as a practical education solution for boiler operators who are seeking careers in plant operation.
The school delivers hands-on, real-world training.
Courses Offered
The center offers the following programs:
- NJ Boiler Operator Licenses
- NJ Refrigeration Operator Licenses
- Philadelphia Engineer
- HVAC Technician Apprentice Program
- Thermodynamics of Refrigeration
- Certified Pool Operator
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 113 Monmouth Rd, Suite 1, Wrightstown, NJ 08562, USA
- Phone: 800-392-3927
- Website: https://www.thetrainingcenter.com
4New Jersey City University
About the School
New Jersey City University offers a Foundations of Plumbing course that is available 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, 145-hour program costs $2,245.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety and safety procedures for material and equipment use
- The function of components required for the construction of standard piping and water supply systems
- 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: Karnoutsos Hall, Room 102, 2039 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City NJ 07305 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.njcu.edu
5New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools
About the School
New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools offers Welding, Electrical, and Plumbing training.
Programs lead to industry certification or license, often achieved through a paid apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Career and technical education provides students with both the academic and technical skills needed to succeed in college and all types of high-skill, well-paying, and in-demand careers.
The career pathways in this area include Boilermaker, Plumber, Welder, Electrician, Solar installer or technician, Wind turbine installer or technician, Pipefitter and steamfitter, and Utility technician.
Contact Information
- Website: https://careertechnj.org
6Morris County Vocational School District
About the School
Morris County Vocational School District offers a Plumbing and Pipefitting program in Denville.
Morris County high school students in 10th grade may apply for their 11th or 12th-grade year.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in this program:
- Tool and Shop Safety
- Installation and Repair of Residential and Commercial Systems
- Water Pipe Installation
- Gas Pipe Installation
- Drainage Systems
- Drafting and Interpreting Blue Prints
- Applied Math Concepts
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 400 East Main Street, Denville NJ 07834
- Phone: 973-627-4600
- Website: https://www.mcvts.org
7Monmouth County Vocational School District
About the School
Monmouth County Vocational School District offers a high school program that prepares students to practice as licensed plumbers by applying technical knowledge, safety, and skills to lay out, assemble, install, and maintain plumbing fixtures and systems for natural gas, hot water, heating, drainage, and industrial processing systems.
Courses Offered
The program covers instruction in:
- Source determination
- Water distribution
- Waste removal
- Isometric drawing
- Basic physics
- Technical Mathematics
- Blueprint reading
- Pipe installation and soldering
- And more
Program skills and tasks include:
- Material identification
- Tool handling and safety
- Soldering copper tubing
- System layout and cutting
- Final plumbing installation
- Job cost estimating
- Water heating appliance installation
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728-5033
- Phone: 732-431-7942
- Website: https://www.mcvsd.org
8Bergen County Technical Schools
About the School
Bergen County Technical Schools offers a Plumbing Technology/Plumber program designed to prepare graduates for placement into the plumbing and heating industry, rapidly advancing to highly rewarding careers.
The subjects covered by this program include:
- Piping techniques
- Plumbing code
- Kitchen and bathroom rough-in
- Fixture installation
- Hot water and steam heating systems
- Repair, drain cleaning, and troubleshooting
- And more
The program can be completed in eight months.
Contact Information
- Address: 190 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601
- Phone: (201) 343-6000
- Website: https://www.bergen.org
9Passaic County Technical Institute
About the School
Passaic County Technical Institute offers a School of Construction Technology that offers instruction in state-of-the-art classrooms that include fully framed houses, industrial trainers, and computer labs.
The following pathways are available: building maintenance, cabinetry, carpentry, construction manager, general contracting, heating technician, HVAC technology, pipe fitting, plumbing, and more.
The plumbing pathway focuses on providing instruction in practical shop work.
Students learn steel and pipe threading/installation, soldering techniques, copper/steel/PVC/ABS fittings, and the installation of hot water heaters and boilers.
Contact Information
- Address:45 Reinhardt Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
- Phone: 973.790.6000
- Website: https://pcti.pctvs.org
10U.S. Career Institute
Online plumbing programs are also available at schools located in other states.
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
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 560 | $70,940 | $34.11 | $109,170 | $40,600 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 350 | $87,670 | $42.15 | $133,260 | $50,810 |
| Vineland, NJ | 260 | $90,120 | $43.33 | $129,650 | $46,800 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career in trades, becoming a plumber may be the right path for you.
New Jersey offers a variety of educational opportunities for those who want to start a career in plumbing.
Now that you have read our selection of the best plumbing schools in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
