About Plumbing Technology

Students in the Plumbing Technology program learn how to design, install, and repair residential and commercial plumbing systems and hydronic heating systems. Some of the skills acquired are joining different types of piping materials, reading blueprints, and installing and repairing boilers, plumbing fixtures, faucets, and water heaters.

Employment opportunities in the plumbing and pipe-fitting industries include the installation of plumbing and heating systems in new buildings and the installation and maintenance of plumbing, heating, and piping systems for industries, public utilities, or government agencies. Self-employment is another option. Many graduates become self-employed plumbers after completing their apprenticeships.


What you’ll learn

  • Apply safety principles and demonstrate good work habits in the trade.
  • Use the hand and power tools of the trade.
  • Identify piping materials and install them using proper connections.
  • Use and apply trade terms and technical data.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, specifications, and codes as they apply to the trade.
  • Lay out, estimate, calculate, and use mathematical skills as required in the trade.
  • Install, maintain, and repair plumbing, heating, and mechanical systems and equipment.
  • Keep abreast of new developments in the field.
  • Demonstrate the ability to write letters of application, memos, work orders, reports, and apply communication skills in the world of work. 

Sample Job Titles 

Assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.

Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Fitter, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Residential Plumber, Service Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, Steamfitter

Essential Skills Needed

This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.

Location
Woolworth Building, Main Campus

Type of program
Associate Degree

Job/Salary Outlook
See industry data

Length of program
2 years, 73 credits

Cost of program
$4,500/semester tuition
$3,105 – $3,623/semester housing
$1,915 – $2,417/semester meal plan

Tool List (PDF)

Program details

Courses

MODEL SCHEDULE FOR PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY

  • PLBG 107 The Plumbing Trade (3 credits)
  • PLBG 112 Plumbing Design I: Intro to Plumbing Systems (3 credits)
  • PLBG 117 Plumbing Installation I (a): Plumbing Materials (3 credits)
  • PLBG 122 Plumbing Installation I (b): Plumbing Tools (1.5 credits)
  • PLBG 130 Construction Blueprint Reading (1.5 credits)
  • MATH 126 Technical Mathematics I (or higher) (3 credits)
  • ENG 106 English Composition (3 credits)
  • Health/PE Elective (1 credit)
  • PLBG 156 Plumbing Design II: Blueprint Reading (3 credits)
  • PLBG 170 Plumbing Installation II (a): Underground and Aboveground Rough-In (3 credits)
  • PLBG 176 Plumbing Installation II (b): Fixture Installation (3 credits)
  • PLBG 167 Plumbing Service I: Intro (3 credits)
  • MATH Elective (3 credits)
  • CIS 111 Intro to Computer Applications (3 credits)
  • PLBG 207 Plumbing Design III: Plumbing Codes (3 credits)
  • PLBG 213 Plumbing Installation III (3 credits)
  • PLBG 216 Plumbing Installation IV: Commercial Plumbing Installation (3 credits)
  • PLBG 223 Plumbing Service II: Advanced Plumbing Services (3 credits)
  • Science Elective (3 credits)
  • Humanities Elective (3 credits)
  • PLBG 256 Plumbing Design IV: Designing Hydronic Heating Systems (3 credits)
  • PLBG 262 Plumbing Installation V (3 credits)
  • PLBG 267 Plumbing Service III (3 credits)
  • PLBG 272 Plumbing Installation VI (3 credits)
  • BUSN 106 Small Business Management (3 credits)
  • ELECTIVE General Education Elective (3 credits)

Total Credits 73

Faculty
Kemon P first year plumbing technology instructor

Kemon Papadimitriou

Instructor, Plumbing Technology, Second-Year Students, ‘004
Skyler Major second year students plumbing technology instructor

Skyler Major

Instructor, Plumbing Technology, First-Year Students, ’22
Occupational Advisory Committee

The Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as a vital link between the Program of study and industry, ensuring that the program remains aligned with current workforce needs, technological advancements, and best practices in the field. Composed of employers, educators, and other community members, the committee provides guidance, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the curriculum, instructional methods, and student learning experiences.

Purpose and Responsibilities:

  • Curriculum & Industry Alignment
  • Workforce Readiness
  • Student & Faculty Support
  • Internship & Employment Connections
  • Accreditation & Program Evaluation
  • Facilities & Equipment Recommendations

By fostering a strong relationship between academia and industry, the OAC helps ensure that Thaddeus Stevens College programs maintain the highest standards in CTE (career and technical education). 

  • Justin Fisher, Homeclimates
  • Greg Weikel, Swartley Bros. Engineers, Inc.
A student at Thaddeus Stevens College in the plumbing lab with a basketball shirt on.

The outcomes speak for themselves

Graduates of this program can read blueprints, fix pipes and plumbing fixtures, and install and repair boilers. 


Success stories

Performance Measures

Internal Key Performance Indicators (Sources: Internal data collections, and Post-Graduate Surveys)

A bar graph showing retention rates for this program cohort from 2018-2021.
2018: 54.2% 2019: 60% 2020: 76% 2021: 78.9%

Retention Rate

This rate reflects the continuous term-to-term persistence rate for certificate programs and the fall-to-fall retention rate for associate degree programs.

A bar chart showing graduation rates for this program for the following years.
2018: 45.8% 2019: 56% 2020: 72% 2021: 73.1%

Graduation Rate

This rate reflects the number of freshmen who were officially enrolled in the fall semester and earned a certificate or degree within the expected timeframe.


Post Graduate Survey Response Rate

The post graduate survey is an annual on-line post graduate survey utilized by the college to gather vital information regarding career placement, starting salary, and level of satisfaction.

A graph showing post graduate survey response rate for this program cohort from 2018 to 2022. 
2018: 100% 2019: 77.8% 2020: 90.9% 2021: 86.7% 2022: 83.3%
A bar chart showing graduates who are employed full time outside of for this program for the following years.
2018: 90.9% employed in major 9.1% employed non-major 
2019: 85.7% employed in major 14.3% continued education 
2020: 90% employed in major 10% continued education 
2021: 76.9% employed in major 7.7% employed non-major 15.4% continued education 
2022: 86.7% employed in major 6.7% employed non-major 6.7% unemployed

Employed Full Time Outside of Major

Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time outside their field of study.

A chart showing graduate satisfaction for this program for the following years.
2018: 100% 2019: 50% 2020: 100% 2021: 67% 2022: 73%

Graduate Satisfaction

This is the median graduate survey response evaluating the level of preparation for workforce entry (based on a 5-Item Likert Scale).

A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education from the following years. 
2018: 100% 2019: 100% 2020: 100% 2021: 100% 2022: 100% 2022: 93.3%

Placement Rate

This is the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education on a full-time basis.

A bar chart showing graduates who are employed full time outside of for this program for the following years.
2018: 90.9% 2019: 100% 2020: 100% 2021: 92.3% 2022: 86.7%

Employed Full Time Within Major

Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time within their field of study.

A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents median annual salary from the following years. 
2018: $37,499.5 2019: $37,499.5 2020: $37,499.5 2021: $42,499.5 2022: $47,499.5

Annual Median Starting Salary

This number is based on the graduate survey response to the request to identify a starting salary from a range of options. This graph shows the median first-year annual salary. All calculations are based on the respondent’s self-reported first-year annual income.

A bar graph showing the percent of graduate survey respondents median hourly rate from the following years.
2018: $18.03 2019: $18.03 2020: $18.03 2021: $20.43 2022: $22.84

Reported Hourly Rate

This number is determined by dividing the reported median salary by the number of hours in a traditional full-time work week (40), then the number of weeks in a year (52).

Several pipes and fittings

Our graduates work with the industry’s best

B.R. Kreider & Son, Inc Logo
UGI Logo
Clear Flow Water Solutions Logo
Rabe Plumbing & Heating Logo