Compare accredited Plumber schools across North Carolina below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Plumber Schools in North Carolina
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.
LOCAL RANK
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.
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 North Carolina.
Schools closest to the main population center in North Carolina are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in North Carolina 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 North CarolinaSource: 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 North Carolina
School
Median graduate earnings
Wake Technical Community College
$49,034
Forsyth Technical Community College
$48,625
Cape Fear Community College
$48,346
Cleveland Community College
$41,985
Pamlico Community College
$32,918
Plumber Pay and Job Outlook
What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersTop-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
North Carolina Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$57,080
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
14,510 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.98
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
3.8%
BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$23.11/hr ($23.11 base + $0.0 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for Plumber Training in North Carolina
The cities below have the highest concentration of plumber training programs and population centers within North Carolina. Click through for school listings near each:
Steps to Become a Licensed Plumber in North Carolina
Choose an accredited training path. Options typically include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
Complete the required classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
Pass the state or local licensing exam where required.
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required.
In North Carolina, CareerOneStop reports state-recognized credentials such as the Plumbing Technician for this trade (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor).
State Wage and Employment
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 14,510 plumbers working in North Carolina as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $57,080 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). North Carolina’s location quotient of 0.98 indicates jobs in this trade are less concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Apprenticeships in North Carolina
In North Carolina, registered apprenticeships are listed through the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions - Apprenticeships (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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina lists $23.11/hr total compensation ($23.11 base + $0.00 fringe) (DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026).
Find Plumber Programs Across North Carolina
The cities below have local plumber program directories. Click any city to compare schools nearby:
Licensing requirements for plumbers vary across North Carolina. CareerOneStop and the relevant state agency publish current credential lists; verify scope and exam rules before applying.
How long does plumber training take in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $57,080 for this occupation in North Carolina (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.
Plumber Wages and Workforce in North Carolina
In North Carolina, Plumber programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $57,080 per year, and most earn between $38,860 and $75,850 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). North Carolina employs roughly 14,510 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.98 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving North Carolina include Cape Fear Community College, Wake Technical Community College, and Forsyth Technical Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Plumber Training and Licensing in North Carolina
Licensing for Plumber varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate North Carolina 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 North Carolina involve?
Plumber training in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), plumbers in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $57,080. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $38,860 to $75,850 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the North Carolina license or certification process for plumbers?
Licensing for plumber work is handled at the state level in North Carolina. Consult North Carolina'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.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
