Gain In-depth Skills in the Plumbing Industry

Why Choose Plumbing as a Career?

The Plumbing, AAS program provides students with an in-depth background of the plumbing industry. By combining theory and practical shop experiences, students will develop the skills needed for design, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting plumbing systems for residential and commercial applications. Successful completion of this program leads to the associate of applied science degree.

The Plumbing program also has a diploma option that can be completed in two semesters and consists of 31 credits.

What Will I Learn?

The plumbing, AAS degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the plumbing field. Students learn the tools used in the industry, the meaning of quality customer service, design a plumbing design to standards, and perform plumbing tasks. Students will install and service water-based heating and cooling systems, and residential and commercial water supply and waste systems.

Students will learn skills such as installing faucets, drains, waste and vent systems, water heaters, copper pipe and fittings and more. In addition, students will develop the necessary skills to identify different types of venting systems and methods for locating buried water and sewer lines.

What Will I Earn?

If you plan to stay in the region, there are many occupations related to this program degree and diploma. In the 10-county region* surrounding Westmoreland County Community College, the earnings for occupations in this field range from $26.56 - $59.45 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $40.35.

It is important to remember that wages vary based on level of education, experience, job location and other factors.

Source: Data provided by Lightcast™ (https://lightcast.io/) 2026.1

* 10-county region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Plumbing program can obtain jobs with the following titles: sprinkler fitter, pipe fitter, steamfitter, master plumber, plumbing apprentice, service plumber, residential plumber and plumber gasfitter.

Support

Funding provided by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and a donation from Carpenter Technology.

Program Fees

First Year

Tuition

$143 per credit (Westmoreland County Residents) - $4,719 for 33 credits
$280 per credit (Out-of-County Residents) - $9,240 for 33 credits
$420 per credit (Out-of-State Residents) - $13,860 for 33 credits

Fees

General Fee $72 per credit (Westmoreland County Resident) - $2,376 for 33 credits
General Fee $70 per credit (Out-of-County and Out-of-State Residents) - $2,310 for 33 credits
- Plumbing Courses First Semester - 8 credits
- General Education Courses First Semester - 8 credits
- Plumbing Courses Second Semester - 13 credits
- General Education Courses Second Semester - 4 credits
Capital Fee $6 per credit (Out-of-County/Out-of-State Residents) - $198 for 33 credits
Lab Fee Plumbing Courses $70-$80 per course
- First Semester 2 courses @ $70 = $140
- Second Semester 3 courses @ $70 = $210
Lab Fee Non-Plumbing Courses $70-$80 per course
- First Semester 0 courses
- Second Semester 1 course @ $70 = $70
*Software Fees - None

Textbooks

*Estimated textbooks - $350
*Estimated textbooks, general education - $1,000

Materials (Estimated)

Plumbers Tool Kit - $1085
Torch Kit - $70
Thorstone Flaring Swaging - $34
1/2 in. and 3/4 in. PEX-B Crimp Tool - $56
1/2 - 1 in. PEX-B Crimp Ring Removal Tool - $21
41 pc Tool Kit - $766
312 Piece Mechanics Professional - $270
Boots - $125
Protective Eyewear - $16
Gloves - $25
USB Flash Drive - $20
Laptop PC - $700
Calculator - $20
Pens/Pencils - $10
Notebook - $10

*Fees, excluding college established Tuition Fees, are estimates and subject to change without notice.

Second Year