On this page, we have compiled information about the best Plumbing schools in the state of Washington and the programs they offer.
If you’re thinking about starting a career in this field, here you will find information about the curriculum, schedule, admission requirements, and costs.
Our selection includes certificate and diploma programs as well as paid apprenticeships.
Programs focus on teaching job-ready skills, such as:
- Reading blueprints
- Using tools
- Understanding and applying plumbing code requirements
- Installing plumbing systems
- Providing information to customers about their plumbing
- And more
With a projected job growth of six percent by 2024, this profession can be both stable and financially rewarding.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage reported by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the United States was $61,550 per year as of May 2023.
Salaries range from less than $40,000 to more than $100,000 per year depending on education, experience, skills, region, and a variety of factors.
So, if you’re interested in starting a career in this field, we encourage you to start by reading our list of the best training options available in your state.
#1Seattle Area Pipe Trades Apprenticeship
Seattle Area Pipe Trades Apprenticeship has the mission to prepare future generations for success in the mechanical piping industry.
Courses Offered
The following apprentice pathways are available:
- HVAC Refrigeration
- Steamfitter
- Plumber
The Steamfitter program can be completed in five years and includes:
- 10,000 work hours
- A minimum of 1,080 school hours
The program has the following graduation requirements:
- Seattle Gas Piping Mechanic License
- UA STAR exam
The Plumber program has two path options:
- Residential- a three-year path that includes:
- 6,000 work hours
- 432 school hours minimum
- Commercial- a five-year path that includes:
- 10,000 work hours
- 1,080 school hours
Contact Information
- Address: 595 Monster Rd. SW, Suite 100, Renton, WA 98057-2937
- Phone: (425) 271-5900
- Website: https://www.seattlepipetrades.org
#2Perry Technical Institute
Perry Technical Institute collaborates with industry leaders to keep its curriculum up-to-date and prepare skilled workers.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing Technician program at Perry Technical Institute can be completed in one year.
Students learn about safety, fittings, power tools, drains, backflow, venting, and water distribution systems.
Training includes:
- The installation of piping
- Fixtures
- Valves
- Water heaters
- Professional development for the plumbing industry
The Uniform Plumbing Code is used and applied throughout the program.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries may recognize this one year of training toward the journey-level certification.
The program also covers plumbing fundamentals, math and blueprint reading, finish and advanced plumbing, and professional development.
Contact Information
- Address: 2011 W. Washington Ave, Yakima, WA 98903
- Phone: 509-453-0374
- Website: https://www.perrytech.edu
#3Plumbers Training Institute
About the School
Plumbers Training Institute offers the following Washington Online Plumber courses:
- Uniform Plumbing Code exam prep
- Professional Development
The following Uniform Plumbing Code exam prep classes are available:
- Washington Uniform Plumbing Code exam prep- a 12-hour course that costs $249
- Washington Plumbing Math- a one-hour video course that costs $29
- Washington Plumbing Isometric Basics- a half-hour course that costs $29
- Washington 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
#4Renton Technical College
About the School
Renton Technical College offers a Foundations of Plumbing course that teaches students specialized plumbing skills and terminology for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
This online 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
Tuition for this program is $2,345
Contact Information
- Address: 300 NE 4th Street, Renton, WA 98056 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.rtc.edu
#5Dans Plumbing School
About the School
Dans Plumbing School offers continuing education for plumbers in Washington and Oregon State.
The following services are available at the school:
- Packets for sale
- Group workshops
- Live test prep training
- Live code training
Washington plumber trainees are required during a two-year period to complete at least eight hours of plumbing code and at least four hours of electrical trade-related classes from the currently adopted Washington state plumbing and electrical codes.
The remaining four hours may be plumbing or electrical trade-related classes.
Contact Information
- Phone: 360-907-3504
- Website: https://www.dansplumbingschool.com
#6Clover Park Technical College
About the School
An online Foundations of Plumbing course is also available at Clover Park Technical College.
The course teaches students specialized plumbing skills and terminology for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing systems.
Students also learn math, geometry, and physical principles.
The program includes:
- 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
Tuition for this program is $2,345
Contact Information
- Address: 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.cptc.edu
#7Construction Industry Training Council
About the School
Construction Industry Training Council offers apprenticeships and construction training programs for students who want to renew their licenses.
Continuing education courses are also available for students who need to renew their Washington State Electrical, Electrical Trainee, or Plumbing license.
Industrial, Gas & Oil Pipeline, or Supervisory Assessments are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 4510 NE 68th Dr #110, Vancouver, WA 98661, United States
- Phone: 425-285 2336
- Website: https://www.citcwa.org
#8U.S. Career Institute
If you want to learn the theoretical aspects of this profession and prepare for an apprentice position at your own pace, plumbing classes are also available at schools located in other states, in an online format.
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.
This course costs $1,239 if paid in full.
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 helps students earn 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
Students take classes such as:
- 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
#10North Idaho College
Located in the neighboring state of Idaho, North Idaho College offers a Workforce Training Center that has met the training needs of the region’s workforce for more than 30 years.
Classes are open to the public generally without pre-admission, academic, or residential requirements.
Courses Offered
The college provides several apprentice programs, including a Plumbing Apprenticeship.
The program includes 144 hours of annual classroom/lab instruction and covers topics related to:
- Piping installation
- Fixture assembly
- Maintenance and repair
- Blueprint reading
- And more
This four-year program, paired with 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning qualifies apprentices to test for their Idaho Plumbing Journeyman license.
A fully online Plumbing Appliance Specialty program is also available at the college.
This course qualifies students to sit for the State of Idaho Appliance Specialty License Exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, ID 83854
- Phone: (208) 769-3333
- Website: https://www.nic.edu
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 440 | $81,220 | $39.05 | $127,870 | $47,160 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 990 | $74,230 | $35.69 | $93,230 | $51,250 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 880 | $92,740 | $44.59 | $130,790 | $48,170 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 160 | $93,040 | $44.73 | $131,620 | $48,180 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 150 | $78,820 | $37.89 | $121,330 | $48,530 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 290 | $84,810 | $40.77 | $131,710 | $47,020 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 6,540 | $94,630 | $45.49 | $148,620 | $50,630 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 750 | $74,340 | $35.74 | $112,370 | $44,940 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 70 | $77,290 | $37.16 | $127,560 | $46,700 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 160 | $71,140 | $34.20 | $98,010 | $46,180 |
| Yakima, WA | 220 | $70,200 | $33.75 | $105,160 | $45,320 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start an in-demand and rewarding career in trades, the plumbing profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our list of the best Plumbing schools in Washington, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your schedule, learning style, and career aspirations.
This is an important step so make sure you take into account all the factors that are relevant to you.
