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Plumbing Technology


11 Certificates 1 Associate Degree
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Do you enjoy working with your hands and want a career with reliable job opportunities? Plumbing is a high-demand field, and our program can help you get started quickly with an entry-level certificate that also applies toward an associate degree. Most of your training takes place in a lab setting, giving you valuable hands-on experience to transition confidently from the classroom to the workplace.

Plumbing Technology at a Glance

11 Certificates

2 months-2 years to complete1

$1,188-$9,288 tuition2


  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • North Lake3
1 Degrees

2 years to complete1

$5,940 tuition2


  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • North Lake3

What Can I Study?

I Want to Go to Work

Can I Get a Job?

Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.

  • These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
  • Higher level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
  • Workforce (CE) Certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
  • Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others, offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work towards an Associate Degree.
  • Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.

If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for advice.

Pathway Specialist

What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?

Skilled plumbers who can install and repair water, gas and other piping systems will always be in demand. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!

Helpers for Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfittersat work

Helpers for Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$20/hr

Median Salary

256

Job Openings

+13%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Coordination
  • Repairing
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Social Perceptiveness
Pipelayersat work

Pipelayers

$23/hr

Median Salary

166

Job Openings

+2%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination
  • Speaking
  • Troubleshooting
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfittersat work

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$28/hr

Median Salary

1568

Job Openings

+17%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Repairing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Time Management
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operation and Control
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleanersat work

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

$22/hr

Median Salary

70

Job Openings

+23%

Projected Outlook


Top Skills:

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Repairing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Time Management
  • Active Listening
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Complex Problem Solving

All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.

Stack Your C​redentials

​One of the perks of studying Plumbing Technology with us is that you can “stack” credentials on your way to an associate degree. Once you have a Level 1 Certificate, you’ll be qualified for an entry-level position. So, you can enter the workforce while you continue the educational journey.

As a full-time student, you could earn these three credentials over four semesters total:

  • Rising Plumber, Level 1 Certificate (2 semesters total)
  • Tradesman Plumber, Level 1 Certificate (2 semesters total)
  • Plumbing Technology, associate degree (4 semesters total)

Rising Plumber Certificate

This introduces you to fixtures, piping and safety principles necessary to begin your career as a plumber’s helper.

Tradesman Plumber Certificate

You will learn skills that can be applied to plumbing systems and be eligible to test for the Tradesman License with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. By completing this certificate, it will eliminate the 4,000-hour requirement of on-the-job training as well as the 24 hours of required training courses for the Tradesman License.

Tradesman plumbers can do residential plumbing without direct supervision. This also puts you on the pathway toward earning a Journeyman license after two years on the job, and a Master license after four years on the job.

Plumbing Technology Associate Degree

This combines the two certificate programs in providing a well-rounded degree for you to start a rewarding career in plumbing. Outside of the traditional plumbing roles, you will have options to work in city government as a building inspector, a plan reviewer or become a plumbing superintendent in private industry.

Find Out More About Plumbing Technology

Sign up to receive additional information about Plumbing Technology or call 972-669-6400.

School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology

Dallas College

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Earn College Credit for What you Already Know

I would like to know more about earning credit for what I know through job or life experience.

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1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

2Cost is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.

3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.

4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Updated September 12, 2025