Best Plumbing Schools in Durham, North Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: Plumbers in North Carolina earn a median of $57,080 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited plumber schools near Durham, North Carolina with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

This guide rounds up plumber schools serving Durham, North Carolina and the local job-market figures worth checking first. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $57,080 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Durham Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$57,080BLS OEWS, May 2025
North Carolina pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$38,860 to $75,850BLS OEWS, May 2025
Durham, NC metro median wage$60,110BLS 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 North Carolina (Davis-Bacon)$23.11 per hour totalDOL WHD Davis-Bacon, 2026
State employment14,510 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Durham County establishments100BLS QCEW, 2024
Durham County industry employment1,100BLS QCEW, 2024
Durham County unemployment rate3.2%BLS LAUS, 2024
North Carolina location quotient0.98BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Plumber Career

What You’ll Find Below

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

Affordable Online Plumbing Programs Now Accepting Students in Durham, North Carolina:

Plumbing Training Near Durham

#4

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, NC 76.6 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 31.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 71
  • Annual completions: 1762
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $48,625 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Halifax Community College

Weldon, NC 78.2 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 37.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 30
  • Annual completions: 261
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $45,575 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Licensing Steps in North Carolina

Most plumbers in North Carolina 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 Durham 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/.