Best Plumber Schools in Arizona

Compare accredited Plumber schools across Arizona below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.

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Best Plumber Schools in Arizona

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Rio Salado College

Tempe, AZ In-state option BOC Score 60.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 6.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 44
  • Annual completions: 3632
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,656 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Yavapai College

Prescott, AZ In-state option BOC Score 57.1
Tuition $2,948 - $14,988
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.8%
  • Programs offered: 80
  • Annual completions: 1709
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,288 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Mesa Community College

Mesa, AZ In-state option BOC Score 54.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 15.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 73
  • Annual completions: 5754
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $68,596 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ In-state option BOC Score 53.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 24.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 91
  • Annual completions: 3284
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,345 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Arizona Western College

Yuma, AZ In-state option BOC Score 51.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 22.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 68
  • Annual completions: 926
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,286 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Plumber Schools in Arizona

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Arizona.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
160.8Contact school for pricing$58,6566%Yes*In-state
257.1$2,948 - $14,988$57,28833%Yes*In-state
354.1Contact school for pricing$68,59616%Yes*In-state
453.7Contact school for pricing$50,34525%Yes*In-state
551.2Contact school for pricing$48,28622%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Arizona are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Arizona is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Median Graduate Earnings at Plumber Schools in Arizona
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Plumber Schools in Arizona (College Scorecard)Mesa Community College $68596; Rio Salado College $58656; Yavapai College $57288; Pima Community College $50345; Arizona Western College $48286.Mesa Community College$68,596Rio Salado College$58,656Yavapai College$57,288Pima Community College$50,345Arizona Western College$48,286
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Plumber Schools in Arizona
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Mesa Community College$68,596
Rio Salado College$58,656
Yavapai College$57,288
Pima Community College$50,345
Arizona Western College$48,286

Plumber Pay and Job Outlook

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters annual wage by percentile: $44,150 at the 10th percentile, $63,800 median, $108,420 at the 90th. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn across the pay scale
Projected job growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: 504,500 jobs in 2024 to 527,200 in 2034, +4.5% change. Source: U.S. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034.
Projected job growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Top-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters - District of Columbia leads at $101,020. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
Top-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Arizona Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$62,070BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment11,810 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.22BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate4.8%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$22.11/hr ($19.04 base + $3.07 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for Plumber Training in Arizona

The cities below have the highest concentration of plumber training programs and population centers within Arizona. Click through for school listings near each:

Steps to Become a Licensed Plumber in Arizona

  1. Choose an accredited training path. Options typically include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
  2. Complete the required classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
  3. Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
  4. Pass the state or local licensing exam where required.
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required.

Specific plumber licensing rules vary in Arizona; verify current requirements with the relevant state agency before enrolling.

State Wage and Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 11,810 plumbers working in Arizona as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $62,070 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Arizona’s location quotient of 1.22 indicates jobs in this trade are more concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Apprenticeships in Arizona

In Arizona, registered apprenticeships are listed through the Arizona Department of Economic Security - Registered Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years. United Association (UA) of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry sponsors registered apprenticeships in nearly every state.

Federal Prevailing Wage in Arizona

Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates set the minimum hourly compensation on most federally funded construction projects. As of 2026, the active general wage determination for this trade in Arizona lists $22.11/hr total compensation ($19.04 base + $3.07 fringe) (DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026).

Find Plumber Programs Across Arizona

The cities below have local plumber program directories. Click any city to compare schools nearby:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do plumbers need a license in Arizona?

Licensing requirements for plumbers vary across Arizona. CareerOneStop and the relevant state agency publish current credential lists; verify scope and exam rules before applying.

How long does plumber training take in Arizona?

Typical certificate programs run 6 to 12 months, associate degrees take about 2 years, and registered apprenticeships generally last 3 to 5 years while paying on-the-job wages.

What is the median wage for plumbers in Arizona?

BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $62,070 for this occupation in Arizona (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.

Plumber Wages and Workforce in Arizona

In Arizona, Plumber programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $62,070 per year, and most earn between $45,640 and $100,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Arizona employs roughly 11,810 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.22 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Arizona include Rio Salado College, Yavapai College, and Mesa Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Plumber Training and Licensing in Arizona

Licensing for Plumber varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Arizona licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.

Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does plumber training in Arizona involve?

Plumber training in Arizona is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.

How much do plumbers earn in Arizona?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), plumbers in Arizona earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,070. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $45,640 to $100,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Arizona license or certification process for plumbers?

Licensing for plumber work is handled at the state level in Arizona. Consult Arizona's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)