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Plumbing school in Wisconsin

9 plumbing programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

7 schools offer these plumbing programs, and Wisconsin has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Plumbers install and repair pipes, fixtures and piping systems. Most learn the trade in a four- or five-year apprenticeship, and most states and some cities require plumbers to be licensed.1

In Wisconsin, 3 of the 9 programs take students without a high school diploma and 6 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 9 programs here are plumbing apprenticeship (7 programs), plumbing certificate or diploma (1 program) and pre-apprenticeship (1 program).

See the 9 programs

How much does plumbing school cost in Wisconsin?

$2,587 to $3,500 is what most plumbing programs in Wisconsin cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 9 programs with a price. All of them: $2,349 to $4,576

In the typical program

Finished the program
49%
Working 6 months later
79%
Earned a year, estimated
about $63,600
Length
75 to 125 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Wisconsin may also offer plumbing school. How these figures are made

Is there free plumbing school in Wisconsin?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: paid apprenticeships, financial aid and the GI Bill

All 9 plumbing programs in Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding

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9 programs

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipHybridNo diploma needed

    Plumbing ABC

    Waukesha County Technical College

    Pewaukee

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Waukesha County Technical College, PewaukeePlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$69,400
    Price if you pay yourself$2,349
    Program website, Plumbing ABC at Waukesha County Technical College
    More details about Plumbing ABC at Waukesha County Technical College
    Finished
    83%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $17,352
    Length
    160 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    456
    Earned a year, estimated
    $69,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,349
    Program website, Plumbing ABC at Waukesha County Technical College

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Plumbing Apprenticeship

    Western Technical College

    La Crosse

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Western Technical College, La CrossePlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$60,100
    Price if you pay yourself$2,626
    Program website, Plumbing Apprenticeship at Western Technical College
    More details about Plumbing Apprenticeship at Western Technical College
    Finished
    23%
    Working at 6 months
    68%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,029
    Length
    90 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    152
    Earned a year, estimated
    $60,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,626
    Program website, Plumbing Apprenticeship at Western Technical College

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Plumbing Apprentice (JAC)

    Chippewa Valley Technical College

    Eau Claire

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau ClairePlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$66,400
    Price if you pay yourself$2,587
    Program website, Plumbing Apprentice (JAC) at Chippewa Valley Technical College
    More details about Plumbing Apprentice (JAC) at Chippewa Valley Technical College
    Finished
    22%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $16,611
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    144
    Earned a year, estimated
    $66,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,587
    Program website, Plumbing Apprentice (JAC) at Chippewa Valley Technical College

  • Plumbing certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Preparatory Plumbing

    Milwaukee Area Technical College

    Milwaukee

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Milwaukee Area Technical College, MilwaukeePlumbing certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,800
    Price if you pay yourself$4,576
    Program website, Preparatory Plumbing at Milwaukee Area Technical College
    More details about Preparatory Plumbing at Milwaukee Area Technical College
    Finished
    19%
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,201
    Length
    32 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,505
    Students counted
    121
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,576
    Program website, Preparatory Plumbing at Milwaukee Area Technical College

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Plumbing

    Northcentral Technical College

    Wausau

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northcentral Technical College, WausauPlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$66,600
    Price if you pay yourself$2,850
    More details about Plumbing at Northcentral Technical College
    Finished
    74%
    Working at 6 months
    94%
    Earned in a quarter
    $16,659
    Length
    160 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    71
    Earned a year, estimated
    $66,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,850

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Plumbing Apprenticeship

    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

    Fennimore

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, FennimorePlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$60,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,400
    Program website, Plumbing Apprenticeship at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
    More details about Plumbing Apprenticeship at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
    Finished
    36%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,198
    Length
    60 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    46
    Earned a year, estimated
    $60,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,400
    Program website, Plumbing Apprenticeship at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

  • Pre-apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Pipe Trades Preparation

    Fox Valley Technical College

    Appleton

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Fox Valley Technical College, AppletonPre-apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$31,800
    Price if you pay yourself$4,423
    Program website, Pipe Trades Preparation at Fox Valley Technical College
    More details about Pipe Trades Preparation at Fox Valley Technical College
    Finished
    61%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,954
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $393
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,423
    Program website, Pipe Trades Preparation at Fox Valley Technical College

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Steamfitting Apprenticeship

    Western Technical College

    La Crosse

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Western Technical College, La CrossePlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$86,400
    Price if you pay yourself$2,970
    Program website, Steamfitting Apprenticeship at Western Technical College
    More details about Steamfitting Apprenticeship at Western Technical College
    Finished
    67%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    $21,593
    Length
    90 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    19
    Earned a year, estimated
    $86,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,970
    Program website, Steamfitting Apprenticeship at Western Technical College

  • Plumbing apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Steamfitting Service Apprenticeship

    Western Technical College

    La Crosse

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Western Technical College, La CrossePlumbing apprenticeship · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,500
    Program website, Steamfitting Service Apprenticeship at Western Technical College
    More details about Steamfitting Service Apprenticeship at Western Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    90 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,500
    Program website, Steamfitting Service Apprenticeship at Western Technical College

How to pay for plumbing school in Wisconsin

WIOA funding can pay for plumbing school in Wisconsin

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Paid plumbing apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a job: you're paid to learn, with a raise as your skills grow, and most include classroom teaching. You apply to the employer or the program sponsor. Ask what you'll pay for the classroom part and what you'll earn on the job.6

Financial aid and grants for plumbing school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for plumbing school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Plumbing school in Wisconsin

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
11th of 21
plumbing programs here, against the typical state's 5
9 vs 5

State comparisons use the same figures as the plumbing school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Plumbing apprenticeships in Wisconsin

Most plumbers train in a four- or five-year apprenticeship. Each year usually brings about 2,000 hours of paid work on the job plus classes in safety, local plumbing codes and blueprint reading. Unions, trade associations and businesses run the programs; some people start as helpers or with a pre-apprenticeship course. To work on your own, states and cities often ask for two to five years of experience and a passed exam.1

You apply to the employer or the program sponsor, not through a school.6 The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder lists openings by place and job. This page lists 7 plumbing apprenticeships approved for WIOA funding in Wisconsin. Ask what you'll pay for the classes and what you'll earn on the job. There is also 1 pre-apprenticeship here, a course that prepares you to apply.

Show only the 7 plumbing apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship, and can WIOA pay for one?

Plumbing school in La Crosse, Milwaukee, Eau Claire and other Wisconsin cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Wisconsin

How plumbing school compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Wisconsin

Where the Wisconsin plumbing program numbers come from

Which Wisconsin plumbing programs are on this list?

These are the plumbing programs Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Wisconsin offers.

How the prices and results of Wisconsin plumbing programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about plumbing school in Wisconsin

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: Discover Apprenticeship: Earn While You Learn Today (fact sheet)
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List