Trade Schools
If you live in South Dakota and want to start a career as a plumber, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best training options available both in-person and online.
Our selection includes certificate and diploma programs as well as paid apprenticeships.
Plumbing programs typically 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
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $61,550 as of May 2023.
This profession is expected to grow 6 percent over the next decade.
As workers retire and new buildings are constructed, new plumbers will be needed.
If you want to be one of them, we invite you to read further.
1Southeast Technical College
Southeast Technical College offers more than 65 pathways that prepare students for employment in today’s most innovative fields.
The college offers career-focused programs developed with area industry leaders.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, Southeast Technical College provides a Plumbing Technology program that leads to a Diploma.
This one-year program awards 35 credits that teach students to install and repair pipes carrying liquids or gases.
Students prepare for other duties, such as:
- Preparing cost estimates
- Conducting pressure tests
- Troubleshooting systems
- Replacing worn parts
- Determining job materials needed
After completing the diploma, graduates are ready to become plumbing apprentices.
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 605-367-7624
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
2Western Dakota Technical College
About the School
Western Dakota Technical College offers a Plumbing Technology program that prepares students to evaluate, install, and repair piping systems in businesses, residences, and other places with pipes and septic systems.
The college uses lab simulations and real-life scenarios to put classroom theory into practice.
The program is designed to prepare students with the core competencies employers are looking for, including:
- Troubleshooting
- Problem-solving
- Customer service
- Professional skills
- Plumbing skills
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Plumbing Theory
- Plumbing Code
- Plumbing Fixtures and Repair
- Technical Mathematics
- Human relations in the workplace
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Mickelson Dr, Rapid City SD 57703
- Phone: (800) 544-8765
- Website: https://www.wdt.edu
3Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute offers online plumbers courses for:
- Uniform Plumbing Code Exam Prep
- Continuing Education
Plumbers Training Institute offers the following Oklahoma Journeyman & Contractor Plumber exam prep courses:
- South Dakota Uniform Plumbing Code Exam Prep- a 12-hour program that costs $249
- South Dakota Plumbing Vents- a one-hour course that costs $29
- South Dakota Plumbing Math- a one-hour course that costs $29
- South Dakota Plumbing Isometric Basics- a half-hour course that costs $19
Plumbers Training Institute classes may be completed from anywhere, anytime.
Contact Information
- Phone: 855-284-8738
- Website: https://www.plumberstraininginstitute.com
4American Plumbing Institute
About the School
American Plumbing Institute offers several South Dakota Plumbing Continuing Education programs online.
Each applicant for renewal of a plumbing contractor license, restricted plumbing contractor license, plumber, or restricted plumber license must complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education relating to the plumbing trade during the previous calendar year.
The following courses are available:
- South Dakota 2015 UPC Chapters 1-4- an annually four-hour course that costs $35
- South Dakota 2015 UPC Chapters 7-9- an annually four-hour course that costs $35
The courses are approved by the South Dakota Plumbing Commission.
Contact Information
- Website: https://apiceu.com
5South Dakota PHCC
About the School
South Dakota PHCC offers its members the opportunity to enroll their employees in its apprenticeship program.
The SDAPHCC provides the curriculum and administers the program, while the members provide the on-the-job training part.
The program has been approved by the Federal Department of Labor.
SDAPHCC offers the following services to program participants:
- Meeting with the apprentice to explain the program and enroll them
- Providing curriculum and grading completed tests
- Monitoring and communicating apprentice progress
- Awarding Certificate of Completion
- Providing Davis-Bacon verification if requested
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 707 E 41st St, #220, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
- Phone: 605-271-7255 / 1-800-640-7422
- Website: https://sdphcc.org
6Dakota County Technical College
About the School
Dakota County Technical College Customized Training offers a Foundations of Plumbing course that teaches students specialized plumbing skills and terminology for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
The course also teaches math, geometry, and physical principles.
Students learn:
- Basic concepts of plumbing safety
- The function of components required for the construction of standard piping and water supply systems
- The use and meaning of specialty drawings
- The application and installation of standard plumbing fixtures
- How to identify piping materials
- And more
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes the following courses:
- Plumbing History, Codes, and Principles
- Tools of the Plumbing Trade
- First Aid and Safety
- Piping Materials
- Water Heaters
- Building Plans, Drawings, and Scale Rulers
- Sketching
- Soldering, Brazing, Cutting, and Gas Welding
- Cross-Connection Protection and Pipe Identification
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com
7DMAC Tech Trade School
DMAC Tech Trade School Online offers students fast-track career learning choices.
The school’s fast-track training and certification programs are designed to help students meet the requirements needed so that they can achieve their professional goals.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes a Plumber Apprentice Certification & Training program.
This course is available fully online.
Students learn about subjects such as:
- Plumbing fundamentals
- Plumbing fixtures installation
- Plumbing codes
- Water heater installation
- Water heater repair
- Toilet installation
- Toilet repair
- Kitchen sink repair
- Plumbing troubleshooting
- And more
This course costs $2,990.
Contact Information
- Address: 720 NW 27 Ave 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33125
- Phone: (305) 649-2050
- Website: https://dmaceducation.online
8U.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
9Penn Foster
About the School
Penn Foster offers a Plumber School that leads to a career diploma in just six months.
The school offers flexible online classes that equip students with skills such as pipefitting, reading blueprints, installing water heaters, and more.
The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs like 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.
Courses Offered
Courses include:
- Modern Plumbing
- Introduction to Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Reading Piping Prints
If paid in full, this program costs $839.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
10Northland Community & Technical College
About the School
Located in the neighboring state of Minnesota, Northland Community & Technical College offers a Plumbing program that prepares students to begin a career in plumbing and pipe fitting.
Students develop skills in water systems, piping procedures, plumbing and piping systems, residential and commercial system installation, and more.
The Diploma program includes 34 credits.
The program is available in East Grand Forks.
Students may get a diploma in just nine months.
Class credits also count towards apprenticeship hours.
The program includes in-depth training in residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
Tuition for this program is $5,610
Additional costs bring the total for this program to $7,728.27.
Contact Information
- Address: 2022 Central Avenue NE, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
- Phone: 800.959.6282
- Website: https://www.northlandcollege.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 380 | $56,370 | $27.10 | $77,150 | $39,540 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 790 | $56,800 | $27.31 | $76,110 | $42,170 |
* 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 South Dakota, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
