Plumbing and Pipefitting Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Plumbing and Pipefitting major prepares you to install and repair water, gas, drainage and industrial piping systems. Plumbing and pipefitting programs teach pipe systems, codes, blueprint reading, fixtures and safety.

A Plumbing and Pipefitting major includes coursework in plumbing codes, drainage, waste and vent systems, water supply systems, pipefitting and joining methods, and blueprint reading and more. You build skills such as pipe installation, reading plans, troubleshooting, and code compliance. Programs often include apprenticeship options. Typical degrees: certificate and associate degree.

Typical courses include plumbing codes, drainage, waste and vent systems, water supply systems, pipefitting and joining methods, blueprint reading, and job site safety. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Plumbing and Pipefitting is offered as certificate and associate awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years and an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate and associate degree. In the latest federal data, 96 colleges reported certificate awards and 23 colleges reported associate awards.

Career paths connected to plumbing and pipefitting include plumber, pipelayer, plumber helper, construction and building inspector, and water treatment plant operator. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include plumber (typical training: 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)), pipelayer (typical training: A few weeks on the job), plumber helper (typical training: A few weeks on the job), construction and building inspector (typical training: Several years of trade experience + certification), and water treatment plant operator (typical training: Months to years (on the job + certification)).

Plumbing and Pipefitting majors build skills such as pipe installation, reading plans, troubleshooting, code compliance, and customer service.

Good pairings include Business (useful for becoming a plumbing contractor) and Occupational Safety (adds job site safety knowledge).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include apprenticeship options. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as plumber, pipelayer, and plumber helper, and enjoy subjects like plumbing codes and drainage, waste and vent systems. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes plumbing codes, drainage, waste and vent systems, and water supply systems; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

104 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

Wisconsin (10), Minnesota (8), North Carolina (7), California (6), and Pennsylvania (6), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

94 of the colleges that offer plumbing and pipefitting also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Plumbing and Pipefitting prepares you to install and repair water, gas, drainage and industrial piping systems. Construction Management teaches you to plan, budget, schedule and supervise construction projects. Plumbing and Pipefitting leads to careers such as plumber and pipelayer, while Construction Management leads to careers such as construction manager and cost estimator.

Plumbing and Pipefitting prepares you to install and repair water, gas, drainage and industrial piping systems. Building Science and Construction Technology studies how buildings are designed, built and maintained to perform well. Plumbing and Pipefitting leads to careers such as plumber and pipelayer, while Building Science and Construction Technology leads to careers such as construction and building inspector and building maintenance technician.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to plumbing and pipefitting, such as Plumber Training.