North Carolina's Plumbing pathway prepares students for careers installing and maintaining plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The program covers pipe fitting, water supply systems, drainage systems, fixtures, and codes while emphasizing problem-solving, precision, and attention to detail essential for plumbing work.
Students learn proper installation techniques, troubleshooting procedures, and repair methods through hands-on practice with actual plumbing materials and fixtures. Training includes both new construction plumbing and service/repair work, along with emerging topics like water conservation, greywater systems, and sustainable plumbing practices.
North Carolina's rapid population growth and construction boom create strong demand for skilled plumbers. The pathway provides foundation for plumbing apprenticeships leading to journeyman and master plumber licenses, offering career opportunities with excellent wages, job security, and potential for business ownership.
Plumbing at a Glance
4
Courses
6
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
North Carolina's Plumbing pathway aligns with National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) plumbing standards and incorporates NC plumbing codes. NC DPI has developed Essential Standards that integrate plumbing theory with hands-on skill development. Programs must emphasize safety, proper tool usage, and code compliance while preparing students for NCCER credentials and foundation for NC plumbing licensing.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Plumbing I | TI80 |
| Plumbing II | TI81 |
| Plumbing III | TI82 |
| Advanced Plumbing | TI83 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Plumber Apprentice
Entry LevelSalary range: $45,760 - $62,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $48,608
Journeyman Plumber
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,760 - $62,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $54,164
Master Plumber
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,760 - $62,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $54,164
Plumbing Contractor
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,760 - $62,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $54,164
Plumbing Inspector
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,760 - $62,050
Adjusted for cost of living: $54,164
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Apprenticeships with plumbing contractors. Summer employment with plumbing companies. Cooperative education combining classroom learning with paid plumbing work. Installation projects for schools and community organizations.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps North Carolina CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
North Carolina Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with North Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as North Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in North Carolina
Electrical Trades
North Carolina's Electrical Trades pathway prepares students for careers as electricians in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The program covers electrical theory, wiring methods, National Electrical Code (NEC), motor controls, and increasingly important topics like renewable energy systems and building automation. Students work with actual electrical components, wiring systems, and control panels, learning proper installation, troubleshooting, and repair procedures. Training emphasizes safety, code compliance, and quality workmanship essential for professional electricians. Many programs include hands-on projects wiring buildings or installing electrical systems. North Carolina's construction boom and growing emphasis on renewable energy create strong demand for skilled electricians. The pathway provides foundation for apprenticeship programs leading to journeyman and master electrician licenses, offering career opportunities with excellent wages and job security.
Trade and Industrial EducationHVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration)
North Carolina's HVACR pathway prepares students for careers installing, maintaining, and repairing climate control systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The program covers refrigeration theory, electrical systems, system design, energy efficiency, and customer service essential for HVAC technicians. Students work with furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigeration units, and building automation systems, learning proper installation, diagnosis, and repair procedures. Training emphasizes EPA regulations, refrigerant handling, electrical safety, and energy-efficient practices increasingly important in NC's green building movement. North Carolina's climate—hot, humid summers and variable winters—creates year-round demand for skilled HVAC technicians. The state's rapid population growth and construction boom, particularly in urban areas, further increases employment opportunities in this essential trade.
Trade and Industrial EducationRelated Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
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