Best Plumbing Schools in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, North Carolina with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Plumber training in Raleigh, North Carolina prepares students for entry-level work across the wider North Carolina labor market. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $57,080 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Raleigh 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
Raleigh, NC metro median wage$60,540BLS 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
Wake County establishments520BLS QCEW, 2024
Wake County industry employment8,150BLS QCEW, 2024
Wake County unemployment rate3.1%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 Raleigh. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Wake 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 Raleigh, North Carolina:

Plumbing Training Near Raleigh

#3

Halifax Community College

Weldon, NC 70.6 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

#5

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, NC 92.5 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

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 Raleigh 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/.