Best Plumber Schools in Nebraska

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

Sponsored - request program info.

Best Plumber Schools in Nebraska

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

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, NE In-state option BOC Score 71.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 55.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 54
  • Annual completions: 815
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,390 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, NE In-state option BOC Score 55.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 35.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 89
  • Annual completions: 2293
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,277 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Metropolitan Community College Area

Omaha, NE In-state option BOC Score 46.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 27.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 72
  • Annual completions: 2891
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,376 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Plumber Schools in Nebraska

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 Nebraska.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
171.4Contact school for pricing$49,39056%Yes*In-state
255.6Contact school for pricing$54,27736%Yes*In-state
346.7Contact school for pricing$53,37627%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Nebraska are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Plumber Schools in Nebraska (College Scorecard)Southeast Community College Area $54277; Metropolitan Community College Area $53376; Northeast Community College $49390.Southeast Community College ...$54,277Metropolitan Community Colle...$53,376Northeast Community College$49,390
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 Nebraska
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Southeast Community College Area$54,277
Metropolitan Community College Area$53,376
Northeast Community College$49,390

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

Nebraska Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$60,970BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment4,110 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient1.34BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate2.7%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$61.16/hr ($44.26 base + $16.9 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for Plumber Training in Nebraska

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

Steps to Become a Licensed Plumber in Nebraska

  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.

In Nebraska, CareerOneStop reports state-recognized credentials such as the Nail Technology Instructor for this trade (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor).

State Wage and Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 4,110 plumbers working in Nebraska as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $60,970 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Nebraska’s location quotient of 1.34 indicates jobs in this trade are more concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Apprenticeships in Nebraska

In Nebraska, registered apprenticeships are listed through the Nebraska Division of Employment and Training - 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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska lists $61.16/hr total compensation ($44.26 base + $16.90 fringe) (DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026).

Find Plumber Programs Across Nebraska

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do plumbers need a license in Nebraska?

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

How long does plumber training take in Nebraska?

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 Nebraska?

BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $60,970 for this occupation in Nebraska (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.

Plumber Wages and Workforce in Nebraska

In Nebraska, Plumber programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $60,970 per year, and most earn between $42,830 and $98,030 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nebraska employs roughly 4,110 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.34 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Nebraska include Northeast Community College, Southeast Community College Area, and Metropolitan Community College Area. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Plumber Training and Licensing in Nebraska

Licensing for Plumber varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Nebraska 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 Nebraska involve?

Plumber training in Nebraska 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 Nebraska?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), plumbers in Nebraska earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,970. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $42,830 to $98,030 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Nebraska license or certification process for plumbers?

Licensing for plumber work is handled at the state level in Nebraska. Consult Nebraska'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)