Trade Schools
If you live in Ohio and you want to start a career in plumbing, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best plumber training schools in your state and the programs they offer.
Our list includes certificate programs that can be completed in a few months and apprenticeships that take up to five years to complete.
Apprenticeships 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
Plumber 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.
So you want to start a career in trades that can be both personally and financially rewarding, we encourage you to read our selection of the best plumbing schools in Ohio.
1Pacon Plumbing School
Pacon Plumbing School offers Plumbing Apprenticeships, Backflow Tester Certification, and Ohio Contractors Continuing Education training.
Courses Offered
The Ohio state-approved apprenticeship program covers the following skills:
- First rough drainage- PVC piping & no-hub cast iron piping
- Second rough waster vent PVC & cast iron piping
- Finish work- setting lavs, tubs, showers, kitchen sinks, and more
- Installing copper water lines
- Run black iron on track piping for gas lines
- Installing sewer mains
- And more
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be physically capable of performing the duties of an apprentice
- Have full-time employment with a plumber or plumbing contractor
Contact Information
- Address: 5210 Beechmont Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45230
- Phone: 513-641-1982
- Website: https://www.paconplumbingschool.com
2Portage Lakes Career Center
About the School
Portage Lakes Career Center is a residential and light commercial plumbing school in Uniontown, Ohio.
The school prepares students for in-demand careers in plumbing in less than 10 months.
All-inclusive tuition and convenient evening hours are available to ensure students get hands-on experience in a modern learning environment.
Students become proficient in:
- Plumbing tools and safety
- Plumbing code and mathematics
- Proper assembly and various piping systems
- Plumbing system installation
- Blueprint reading
- Basic HVAC principles
Tuition and fees for this program sum up to $7,750.
Plumbing technology school students also complete numerous hands-on labs and activities.
Contact Information
- Address: 4401 Shriver Rd, Uniontown, Ohio 44685
- Phone: 330.805.9937
- Website: https://plcc.edu
3Cuyahoga Community College
About the School
Cuyahoga Community College offers a Plumbing program in partnership with Plumbers Union at various training centers around the state.
Students must be working in a registered apprenticeship program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.
Courses Offered
Apprentices learn how to install, repair, maintain, and service piping systems, plumbing systems, and equipment used for drinking water distribution, sanitary storm water systems, and waste disposal.
Additional opportunities can include:
- Technical installations for Medical Gas
- Hydronic in-floor heating
- Solar panels
- Heat pumps
- Cross-connection control
- Many other systems necessary for the health and safety of the general public
The program includes courses such as:
- Construction Print Reading
- Gas Systems
- Water Supply
- Technical Writing
- Electricity for Plumbers
- Construction Methods and Materials
- City & State Backflow Cert
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 East 22nd St, Cleveland, OH 44115 (Jerry Sue Thornton Center)
- Phone: 216-987-6000
- Website: https://www.tri-c.edu
4Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders & Service Technicians
About the School
Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders & Service Technicians offers a Joint Apprenticeship Training Center.
The following apprenticeship opportunities are available:
- Building Trades- a five-year Building Trades program dedicated to training apprentices in the fields of welding, pipefitting, and plumbing installation.
- Mechanical equipment services- a five-year program dedicated to training apprentices in HVAC and refrigeration system installation, repair, and maintenance.
Building Trades Apprentices learn how to install and maintain piping systems in commercial and industrial settings such as hospitals, power plants, manufacturing plants, and many other facilities.
Mechanical equipment services apprentices work for a signatory contractor earning a wage determined by the current contract and attend school two nights a week.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, and a driver’s license, and they must be 18 years of age before entering the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 4560 Journal Street, Columbus, OH 43228
- Phone: (614) 486-8980
- Website: https://www.ualocal189-jatc.com
5UA Local 392
About the School
UA Local 392 has more than 2,300 members who work as pipefitters, plumbers, mechanical equipment service technicians, and welders.
The union is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has territorial coverage in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Courses Offered
The following classes are available:
- Backflow Certification
- Backflow Re-Certification
- Brazing Techniques
- CPR First Aid Safety
- Customer Service
- Discussion & Theory of Advanced Heating Systems
- Green Awareness
- Med Gas Certification
- Natural Gas Installation
- OSHA 30
- OSHA Safety
- Rigging Certification
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1228 Central Parkway, Suite 200, Cincinnati OH 45202
- Phone: (513) 241-1760
- Website: https://local392.com
6Columbus State Community College
About the School
Columbus State Community College offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate.
These short-term certificate programs are designed for students interested in entering trades apprenticeships to be more knowledgeable about their choice and to gain knowledge and skills in the trade and prepare them for entry into apprenticeship programs.
The certificates include both technical and soft skills
Graduates will be directed to the trade-related apprenticeship program.
Candidates are selected by external industry partners.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Survey of the Construction Industry
- Plumbing: Introduction to Supply Systems
- Plumbing: Introduction to Dwv Systems
- Basic Manual Drafting
- Principles of Refrigeration
- Construction Drawings
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 550 East Spring St. Columbus, OH 43215
- Phone: (614) 287-5353
- Website: https://explore.cscc.edu
7Associated Builders and Contractors- TP Mechanical
About the School
Associated Builders and Contractors- TP Mechanical offers a paid Plumbing Apprenticeship program designed to jump-start students’ journey to plumbing and pipefitting success.
Students receive the tools and experiences they need in order to thrive in this trade:
- Hands-on training
- Expert mentorship
- Competitive compensation
- Locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio
Applicants need a copy of their high school diploma/GED or letter from school with an anticipated graduation date.
An aptitude test is given during the application process.
Students receive 576 classroom hours and more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Kemper Meadow Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
- Phone: 513-851-8881
- Website: https://www.tpmechanical.com
8APHC of Central Ohio
The Association of Plumbing and Hydronic Contractors was formed in 1978.
The association provides educational services and member benefits to its contractors and associates.
Courses Offered
The four-year apprenticeship program includes:
- 8,000 hours of on-the-job training
- In-classroom instruction
- Lab classes and hands-on training
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma and a valid driver’s license.
Apprentices work for one of the contractors in the association, with an experienced, skilled tradesperson.
Contact Information
- Address: 653 McCorkle Blvd Suite H, Westerville OH 43082
- Phone: 614-315-6924
- Website: https://aphcofcentralohio.com
9Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute offers online plumbers courses for:
- Contractor Exam prep
- International Plumbing Code Exam Prep
- Professional Development
Plumbers Training Institute offers the following Ohio Exam prep courses:
- Ohio 24 National Master 2021 Plumber Exam Prep- a 17-hour program that costs $489
- Ohio G24 National Standard Master Plumber Exam Prep- a 15-hour course that costs $389
- Ohio G25 National Standard Journeyman Plumber Exam prep- a 12-hour course that costs $289
- Ohio Master Plumber Isometrics- a three-hour course that costs $59
- Ohio Plumbing Vents- a one-hour course that costs $29.
Plumbers Training Institute classes may be completed from anywhere, anytime.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-284-8738
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
10Owens Community College
About the School
Owens Community College offers a Pipefitting/Plumbing Certificate for employees who need to understand the principles of hydraulics, pneumatics, plumbing, piping systems installation, and welding principles.
Credits earned in this certificate may be applied toward the Building Maintenance Major, AAS.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Applied Industrial Mathematics
- Building Print Reading
- Maintenance Tools/Equipment
- Piping Systems
- Plumbing Codes
- Piping Print Reading
- Fluid Power: Hydraulics
- Fluid Power: Pneumatics/Logic
- Intro to the Welding Processes
- Low/High-Pressure Boiler
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551
- Phone: (567) 661-6000
- Website: https://www.owens.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 850 | $63,220 | $30.39 | $91,670 | $38,890 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 430 | $63,530 | $30.54 | $87,290 | $38,960 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 3,230 | $66,830 | $32.13 | $95,460 | $43,310 |
| Cleveland, OH | 2,780 | $69,230 | $33.28 | $96,820 | $45,660 |
| Columbus, OH | 2,740 | $67,350 | $32.38 | $98,080 | $40,460 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | 1,050 | $65,180 | $31.34 | $93,640 | $40,950 |
| Lima, OH | 170 | $66,000 | $31.73 | $94,740 | $41,610 |
| Mansfield, OH | 130 | $59,750 | $28.73 | $83,270 | $40,410 |
| Sandusky, OH | 110 | $65,240 | $31.37 | $93,960 | $39,230 |
| Springfield, OH | 70 | $61,290 | $29.47 | $90,700 | $43,500 |
| Toledo, OH | 760 | $69,270 | $33.30 | $98,040 | $45,040 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | 350 | $60,630 | $29.15 | $83,110 | $37,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Ohio offers different 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 fits your learning style and career aspirations.
