Tennessee's Plumbing pathway trains students for careers installing and maintaining plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. Tennessee's consistent construction activity and aging infrastructure create strong and stable demand for qualified plumbers.
Students learn plumbing codes, water systems, drainage systems, gas lines, and installation techniques. Hands-on projects include running water lines, installing fixtures, soldering copper, and troubleshooting plumbing problems.
Graduates work as plumber apprentices, journeyman plumbers, service plumbers, or plumbing supervisors. Strong wages ($38,000-$80,000+), job security, and opportunities for business ownership make plumbing an attractive career path.
Plumbing at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Tennessee's plumbing standards align with the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and NCCER standards. The state emphasizes safety, code compliance, and proper installation practices for water, waste, and gas systems.
Students complete NCCER plumbing certifications, demonstrate IPC knowledge, and work toward journeyman plumber licensure. Dual-enrollment opportunities allow acceleration through apprenticeship requirements.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Fundamentals of Construction |
| Plumbing I |
| Plumbing II |
| Advanced Plumbing |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓EPA 608 Certification
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - AutoCAD
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Revit
- ✓NOCTI Building and Construction Occupations
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓NCCER Core
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour Construction
- ✓OSHA 30-Hour Construction
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.
Apprentice Plumber
Entry LevelSalary range: $45,610 - $72,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $49,297
Journeyman Plumber
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,610 - $72,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $62,397
Service Plumber
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,610 - $72,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $62,397
Plumbing Supervisor
ExperiencedSalary range: $45,610 - $72,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $62,397
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students apprentice with licensed plumbers and plumbing contractors throughout Tennessee.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Tennessee CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Tennessee Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Tennessee's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Tennessee standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Tennessee
Architecture & Construction
Tennessee's Architecture & Construction pathway prepares students for careers in residential and commercial construction, skilled trades, construction management, and building technology. This comprehensive program covers carpentry, masonry, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC fundamentals, and construction management principles. With Tennessee experiencing population growth and ongoing infrastructure development in major metropolitan areas and throughout the state, the construction industry provides abundant career opportunities. The pathway emphasizes traditional construction crafts, modern building technologies, sustainable construction practices, and building information modeling (BIM). Students gain hands-on experience through construction laboratory projects, actual building construction including community service projects, and partnerships with Tennessee construction companies and contractors. The curriculum integrates safety training, blueprint reading, building codes, construction mathematics, and project management skills essential for construction careers. Tennessee's Construction programs often engage students in constructing real structures such as storage buildings, tiny homes, or Habitat for Humanity projects that demonstrate construction skills while serving community needs. These authentic construction experiences provide portfolio evidence of student capabilities and often lead to employment connections. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment in construction trades, construction management careers, or continuation to construction technology degree programs.
Architecture & ConstructionElectrical Wiring
Tennessee's Electrical Wiring pathway prepares students for careers installing and maintaining electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Tennessee's construction and manufacturing growth creates strong demand for qualified electricians. Students study electrical theory, safety practices, code compliance, circuitry, and installation techniques. Hands-on work includes wiring residential panels, installing outlets and switches, reading electrical schematics, and troubleshooting circuits. Graduates work as electrician apprentices, journeyman electricians, or electrical supervisors with construction companies, electrical contractors, and industrial facilities. Competitive wages ($36,000-$85,000+) and strong job security make electrical trades highly desirable. Many become business owners.
Architecture & ConstructionReady to Build Plumbing Programs at Scale?
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