Best Plumbing Schools in Merced, California (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

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

Several training options serve plumber students near Merced, 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).

Merced 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
Merced, CA metro median wage$60,230BLS 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
Merced County establishments70BLS QCEW, 2024
Merced County industry employment600BLS QCEW, 2024
Merced County unemployment rate9.8%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 Merced. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Merced County and California figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

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

Plumbing Training Near Merced

#1

Mission College

Santa Clara, CA 82.9 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

#2

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, CA 90.7 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

#3

Diablo Valley College

Pleasant Hill, CA 98.4 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

#4

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, CA 103.1 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

#5

American River College

Sacramento, CA 104.0 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

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 Merced 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/.