Best Plumbing Schools in Lathrop, California (2026)

Quick answer: Plumbers in California earn a median of $72,830 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited plumber schools near Lathrop, California with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Several training options serve plumber students near Lathrop, California, from short certificates to longer hands-on programs. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $72,830 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Lathrop Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$72,830BLS OEWS, May 2025
California pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$47,350 to $131,100BLS OEWS, May 2025
Stockton, CA metro median wage$62,900BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+4.5% growth, about 44,000 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Federal prevailing wage in California (Davis-Bacon)$70.95 per hour totalDOL WHD Davis-Bacon, 2026
State employment47,660 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
San Joaquin County establishments200BLS QCEW, 2024
San Joaquin County industry employment1,450BLS QCEW, 2024
San Joaquin County unemployment rate6.5%BLS LAUS, 2024
California location quotient0.87BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Plumber Career

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Lathrop. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the San Joaquin County and California figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Affordable Online Plumbing Programs Now Accepting Students in Lathrop, California:

Plumbing Training Near Lathrop

#1

Diablo Valley College

Pleasant Hill, CA 42.6 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 53
  • Annual completions: 1474
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $50,569 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Mission College

Santa Clara, CA 46.9 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 28
  • Annual completions: 637
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $55,281 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, CA 54.6 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 58.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 39
  • Annual completions: 1150
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $68,070 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

American River College

Sacramento, CA 57.4 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 63
  • Annual completions: 1335
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $74,069 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, CA 59.2 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 58.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 32
  • Annual completions: 326
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $69,861 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard


Licensing Steps in California

Most plumbers in California follow this pathway:

  1. Complete an approved trade school, community college program, or registered apprenticeship.
  2. Log the required on-the-job training hours under a licensed journeyman or master plumber.
  3. Pass the state-required exams covering the state plumbing code (UPC/IPC), safety, and business rules.

Tips for Choosing a School

  • Tour the lab to see the tools, pipe mockups, and safety gear students use every day.
  • Compare schedules. many Lathrop programs offer evening, weekend, or accelerated tracks.
  • Confirm the program helps you document hours for state licensing or union apprenticeship applications.

Next Steps


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.