Plumbing can be a very rewarding profession. Those who practice in this discipline in Vermont are known to be quite competitively paid and highly sought-after.
What’s more, there are several avenues for professionals in this field to acquire more skills, choose a lucrative area of specialty, and earn credentials for better returns as they progress. This is one reason why the field continues to be popular, and the projection for the future is as optimistic as ever.
The guide below will help prospective plumbers in Vermont understand everything that is expected of them regarding their educational options, licensing process, and even projected earnings. Readers will also find a few top-quality programs they may consult for robust education to start their careers.
How to Become a Plumber in Vermont
The following steps are involved in becoming a thriving plumber in Vermont.
Non-Transferable Attributes
Non-transferable attributes such as manual dexterity, communication, and interpersonal skills are very important for a prospective plumber. A GED result or high school diploma will also be valuable for securing admission into a training program.
Choosing a Training Route
All prospective plumbers must choose a training program, and they must choose the kind of program they want. Candidates must choose an avenue that provides both classroom and hands-on training.
It is common for students to attend a pre-apprenticeship program, typically offered by community colleges and technical schools. These programs are designed to prepare students for learning on the job through an arrangement similar to an actual apprenticeship program.
Many schools also partner with union apprenticeship programs and even non-union organizations.
Employment, Certification, and Specialization
Licensing and certification are the next important issues for candidates to consider. After that, they can secure employment and work under a licensed contractor. Specialization may also greatly help a plumbing career in Vermont.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
The Vermont Department of Public Safety Division of Fire Safety requires plumbers to receive a state-issued license before they can start their careers. The licensing board also reserves the right to revoke a plumber’s license if they fail to adhere to standard codes and regulations.
Licensing begins at the apprentice level, for which candidates need a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license.
Apprentices who have completed their training can receive the journeyman plumber license and become fully-fledged professionals. To do so, they must apply for a license and pay a $90 application fee.
This will qualify them to sit for the journeyman plumber examination overseen by the Vermont Plumbers Examining Board.
Those who successfully pass the exam will be able to receive their license. Still, they must renew it every two years by paying a renewal fee of $90 and completing 8 hours of continuing education.
Journeyman plumbers in Vermont can acquire a master plumber license after working for 12 months. They must also pass an examination and renew this license for a $120 fee.
Top Plumbing Schools in Vermont
Residents of Vermont may attend any of the top-class programs below for their introductory education.
Central Vermont Career Center
Barre, VT Campus Only
Central Vermont Career Center has an excellent plumbing and heating program, one of the best in the region.
Tuition
Call for DetailsContact
(802) 476-6237 Ext: 1189
phenderson@cvtcc.org
Vermont Technical College
Randolph Center, VT Campus Only
Vermont Technical College offers a plumbing apprenticeship program with 144 hours of classroom instruction and the opportunity for on-the-job training, which fully contributes to the required 8,000 hours of training for licensing.
Tuition
FreeContact
(802) 728-1680
vtcelpl@vermontstate.edu
Stafford Technical Center
Rutland, VT Campus Only
Lastly, Stafford Technical Center is perfect for comprehensive Plumbing education in both classroom and practical applications.
Tuition
Call for DetailsContact
(802) 770-1056
chris.tooley@rcpsvt.org
Explore plumbing schools in Vermont by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
If they are among the bottom 10%, plumbers in Vermont manage an annual average salary of $52,112. This is likely to happen for those just starting their careers and have not yet found their footing regarding various important optimizable factors.
These factors include experience, location, credentials, and specific employers. Those who have optimized the factors and are on the favorable end will earn an annual average salary of $99,896, which is relevant for the top 10%.
The annual average salary for plumbers in the median category in Vermont is $72,151.
For the favorable locations, they include Ludlow, with an annual average salary of $75,135; Burlington, with an annual average salary of $74,678; and South Burlington, with an annual average salary of $72,743.
Looking ahead, top employment platforms such as Indeed.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate a continual increase in the employment rate for plumbers in Vermont and across the country.