Plumbing Schools in Mississippi: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Mississippi Plumber Training Programs 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.” All of this holds true in Mississippi. 

Mississippi requires a commercial license for public commercial plumbing jobs above $50,000 or private jobs that cost more than $10,000. All contractors performing new residential construction over $50,000 or residential remodeling or additions over $10,000 need a residential plumber license. For smaller projects, you don’t need a license at the state level. 

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) issues both residential licenses and commercial contractor licenses. Many local jurisdictions—cities, towns, and counties—in Mississippi require you to get a local license. Be sure to find out what the local laws are before you bid on a project and begin work. For instance, the city of Gulfport issues a Master Plumber license through its Building Code Services office, and so does the Building Department of Ocean Springs. Many cities and counties do not have any license requirements. Mississippi has several reciprocal agreements with neighboring states like Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

The following Mississippi trade schools offer plumbing programs:

• Hinds Community College, P.O. Box 1100, Raymond, 39154

• Mississippi State University Extension Center for Continuing Education in Mississippi State

Note: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers heating and air conditioning programs at its Perkinston campus, but does not currently teach plumbing courses. Delta Technical College, with campuses in Horn Lake and Ridgeland, offers a pipefitting program.

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some, like the state of Mississippi, do not require advanced education. 

Still, some plumber apprenticeship programs or entry-level jobs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. There are often classes applicants can take in high school and college to help them prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list.

They include trade classes such as blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in Mississippi such as:

• Mississippi State University

• The University of Mississippi

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Plumbing programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in plumbing, pipefitting, and related fields. All class instruction combines theory and practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.

Among the plumbing courses you’ll take are:

• Introduction to Plumbing Technology

• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

• Plumbing Blueprints and Codes

• Waste, Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems

• Water Supply and Distribution Systems

• Plumbing Fixtures and Appliance Installation

Further along will be intermediate and advanced plumbing concepts, pipe fabrication, and welding technology fundamentals, among other education courses, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, too.

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the apprenticeship or school and program that is right for you.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Mississippi community colleges on average is $2,428 per year for in-state students and $4,459 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

There’s no required amount of advanced education to become a plumber in Mississippi. Some colleges still offer plumbing programs to help aspiring plumbers learn the required skills. The Hinds Community College Plumbing and Technology program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree, which takes two years to complete, as well as two certificate programs, each about a year long. 

Benefits

There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. Many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or pre-apprenticeship over one without. Those credentials can also give you an edge in the selection process for an apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals.

Online vs. in-person

You may choose to get that jump on plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. 

Penn Foster and Ashworth College are two of the most recognizable online plumbing programs. Bob Vila’s website and the CPA Accounting Institute for Success both list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.

If you know your learning style relies more on personal instruction, the traditional in-person classes and accredited programs listed above are fairly accessible throughout the state.

Level of difficulty

Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing trade in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. Plumbers must learn a lot of different things to be successful, including: how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems (including water heaters); troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute on remodels or new installations that involve running all water, gas and sewage lines; know how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; understand the plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed. And, of course, especially in residential work, customer service is key.

School Comparison: At a Glance   

Let’s take a look at plumbing training centers and trade schools in Mississippi:

Hinds Community College

• Offers an Associate degree in Plumbing and Construction Technology

• Offers a Plumbing and Construction Technology career certificate

• Offers a Plumbing and Construction Technology technical certificate

Mississippi State University Extension Center for Continuing Education

• Offers a Foundations of Plumbing course

Steps for Enrollment in Mississippi

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. You also have the option of applying in person at the school’s admission office or mailing a paper application there. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing. 

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

Plumbing Career Requirements in Mississippi

The state of Mississippi issues two types of plumbing licenses. Mississippi requires a commercial license for public commercial plumbing jobs above $50,000 or private jobs that cost more than $10,000. All contractors performing new residential construction over $50,000 or residential remodeling or additions over $10,000 need a residential license. 

To become licensed, individuals must complete an application with the MSBOC. All applicants are required to take a Law and Business Management exam. Plumbing applicants also must pass an exam for the Plumbing classification.

For a detailed explanation of Mississippi’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Mississippi Electrical License. 

Salaries for Plumbers in Mississippi

Before paying for technical education and getting started in the plumbing field, you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in Mississippi?Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Mississippi for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $44,900

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $54,200

• Senior 4-6 years: $58,600

For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

To be eligible for an apprenticeship, applicants must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Individuals can apply directly with employers to become a plumbing apprentice, or look for apprenticeship opportunities with these organizations:

• Mississippi Construction Education Foundation

• Mississippi Apprenticeship Program

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Louisiana and Alabama.

• South Louisiana Community College in New Iberia, Louisiana

• Lawson State Community College in Bessemer, Alabama

You can find the training you need to excel in a plumbing industry career in Mississippi. The opportunities are all around you.