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We all need plumbers, and plumbers need extensive training to do the job right. There’s a lot to learn if you want to join this essential workforce, and training is accessible throughout The Buckeye State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 4% growth rate in Ohio for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as compared with 2% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumbing jobs in Ohio posted across Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to launch a plumbing career in Ohio.
Accredited Ohio 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.”
You must be a licensed commercial contractor or an apprentice working under a licensed plumber to legally perform commercial plumbing work in the state of Ohio. There’s no statewide licensing requirement for residential plumbing, but some municipalities require general contractor licenses to perform residential plumbing work.
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) issues state licenses to plumbing contractors who perform commercial work. After extensive work experience, apprentice plumbers can become contractors and build their own businesses.
Many cities, such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, as well as other local jurisdictions, have additional licensing or registration requirements for journeyman plumbers, so be sure to check the local requirements where you plan to work.
The following Ohio trade schools and technical colleges offer plumbing training programs:
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center in Ashland
Columbus State Community College in Columbus
Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland
Lorain County Community College in Elyria
Owens Community College in Perrysburg and Findlay
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Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical school, 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 Ohio, require experience working under a licensed contractor.
Finding a job as a plumber’s helper can be 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 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 Ohio such as:
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
Isometric Analysis
Waste, Sanitary Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems
Water Supply and Water 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’s much to consider when picking the plumbing 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 Ohio community colleges on average is $4,876 per year for in-state students and $11,127 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 financial aid in the form of federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies based on the type of program (certificate, degree, etc.) and the school. Applicants need five years of on-the-job experience before applying for a commercial contractor license.
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 to do 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 trade schools in Ohio.
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center
Offers a Plumbing Technologies program for adults
Offers Construction Technology coursework, including plumbing classes, for high school students
Columbus State Community College
Offers a Plumbing Module certificate
Cuyahoga Community College
Offers a Pipefitting certificate
Offers a Plumbing certificate
Lorain County Community College
Offers an Associate of Technical Studies
Owens Community College
Offers a Pipefitting and Plumbing certificate
Steps for Enrollment in Ohio
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
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 Ohio
To recap, to legally perform plumbing work in the state of Ohio, you must be a licensed commercial contractor or an apprentice working under a licensed plumber. To apply to be a licensed commercial contractor, you must meet one of the following:
Work as a trades person in the type of licensed trade for which the application is filed for not less than five years immediately prior to the date the application is filed
Be currently registered as an engineer in this state with three years of business experience in the construction industry in the trade for which the engineer is applying to take the examination
Have other experience acceptable to the appropriate section of the board
Local jurisdictions also have licensing requirements. For a detailed explanation of Ohio’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Ohio Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Ohio
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 Ohio? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Ohio for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $47,700
Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,700
Senior 4-6 years: $62,400
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship is required to gain plumbing experience in Ohio. ApprenticeOhio maintains a list of registered plumbing apprenticeship programs within the state, which include:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby West Virginia and Michigan.
Putnam Career and Technical Center in Eleanor, West Virginia
Carver Career and Technical Education Center in Charleston, West Virginia
Macomb Community College in Clinton Township and Warren, Michigan
You can find the training you need to excel in a plumbing industry career in Ohio. The opportunities are all around you.
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