Plumbing Schools in Louisiana

If you want to start a successful plumbing career in Louisiana, you will be glad to know you have come to the right page. In the sections following this one, we dive right into all the major requirements that candidates must know to start their plumbing career in Louisiana with minimum hassle.

We begin by exploring the steps involved in the journey before focusing on key aspects such as the licensure and certification requirements, possible training destinations, and alternatives. Lastly, we provide an overview of the salary projection for candidates to look forward to depending on key factors.

How to Become a Plumber in Louisiana

The following are the steps required to become a plumber in Louisiana.

Age Requirements

The first step to becoming a plumber in Louisiana is to be at least 16 or 18 years old, depending on their choice of training destination. From there, they may acquire relevant training and apply for a state license.

Plumbing Training

As mentioned above, aspiring plumbers in Louisiana have multiple alternatives concerning where to obtain their training. The most common options include the following:

Trade Schools

Trade schools, which in this case include certain community colleges and technical schools, offer strong plumbing training that teaches students all they need to become successful plumbers in Louisiana.

Notably, candidates who go through this route will also have the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree, which they may leverage to secure employment or transfer for more advanced degrees.

Apprenticeship Programs

Local unions and trade organizations across the state offer plumbing training programs that allow candidates to become familiar with fundamental topics in the field. Perhaps more notably, these programs also offer hands-on training opportunities that allow candidates to understand how working as a professional plumber in the real world feels.

Combination Route

Lastly, although both options above are valid routes to becoming successful plumbers in Louisiana, one does not automatically exclude the other. It is common to see plumbers who combine both by attending an academic program and consolidating their skills with an apprenticeship program.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a welder in Louisiana

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Louisiana, the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) handles all licensing issues for plumbers. Candidates looking to acquire a license from the board to begin their professional careers typically have two options: the journeyman and master licenses.

To become a journeyman, candidates must have 8,000 hours or 5 years’ worth of experience working under the supervision of a master plumber. To become a master plumber, candidates must already have a journeyman license.

Furthermore, those looking to take on more than $10,000 in contracts must obtain a commercial contractor license. This particular license is issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC).

Top Plumbing Schools in Louisiana

Candidates looking for top-class plumbing schools in Louisiana may consider any of the entries listed below.

Explore plumbing schools in Louisiana by city:

• Plumbing schools in New Orleans

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary for fresh plumbers in Louisiana is around $53,545. The annual average salary for those among the highest-paid in the state can be up to $79,297. Those among the lowest paid will still manage an annual average salary of at least $36,156.

The disparity between these figures is caused by several factors, ranging from location and experience levels to the nature of the employer and specific subdisciplines within the field.

Candidates looking for the best locations to work as plumbers in Louisiana may consider New Iberia, where these professionals earn an annual average salary of $74,583, and Baton Rouge, where they earn an annual average salary of $61,967.

Also among the top five are Sulphur, with an annual average salary of $59,402; New Orleans, with an annual average salary of $56,246; and Covington, with an annual average salary of $55,248.