Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin – Plumbing Apprenticeship
Trade Schools and Apprenticeships in Wisconsin / Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin – Plumbing Apprenticeship
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin – Plumbing Apprenticeship (Statewide, WI)
Programs Offered
- Plumbing Apprenticeship (5-Year Program)
- Hands-on Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Plumbing Training
- Pathway to Journeyman Plumber Certification
Program Overview
The Plumbing Apprenticeship Program through the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC WI) trains individuals to design, install, and repair piping systems that supply water, remove wastewater, and support heating and cooling systems in buildings. Apprentices receive classroom instruction and on-the-job experience working with fixtures, piping, water distribution systems, drainage, venting, and backflow prevention. Training emphasizes the Wisconsin Plumbing Code to ensure safe and compliant installations.
This program is ideal for people who enjoy problem-solving, working with their hands, and want to build a high-demand, well-paid trade career.
Hands-On Training
Apprentices receive supervised job-site and classroom training in:
- Installing and repairing piping systems for sinks, toilets, tubs, washers, and water heaters.
- Reading and interpreting blueprints and plumbing schematics.
- Troubleshooting plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and light industrial settings.
- Applying the Wisconsin Plumbing Code to ensure safety and compliance.
- Working with drainage, waste, vent, and water distribution systems.
Certification & Licensing Prep
- Completion qualifies apprentices to pursue Wisconsin journeyman plumber licensing.
- Program includes instruction on state code, safety, and inspection requirements.
- Graduates are prepared for advanced roles in plumbing service, installation, or contracting.
Career Paths & Salary Outlook
- Plumbing Apprentice: Earn while learning all aspects of the trade.
- Journeyman Plumber: Eligible for full trade pay upon completion of the 5-year apprenticeship.
- Advanced Roles: Opportunities to become a plumbing foreman, estimator, or plumbing contractor.
Program Length
- 5-year apprenticeship program.
- Includes both related classroom instruction and paid on-the-job training.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of the online apprenticeship application.
- High school diploma, GED, or verified equivalent (transcript, diploma, or senior-on-track verification).
- Copy of driver’s license or reliable transportation to work and school.
- Minimum test scores required:
- Next Generation Accuplacer: Reading 239, Arithmetic 237, QAS 216, or
- ACT: Reading 16, Math 15
Compensation & Benefits
Apprentices earn a percentage of journey-level pay that increases each year: 45% in year one, 55% in year two, 65% in year three, 70% in year four, and 75% in year five. The average skilled wage rate for plumbers in Wisconsin is approximately $42.12 per hour, plus benefits such as health care and retirement.
Cost & Financial Support
The apprenticeship is tuition-free. Classroom instruction and on-the-job training are provided through ABC WI and partner employers. Apprentices earn wages while completing their training.
Location
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin
School Locations:
Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) – Chippewa Falls
Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) – Appleton
Madison Area Technical College (MATC) – Madison
Northcentral Technical College (NTC) – Wausau
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) – Green Bay
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) – Pewaukee
Western Technical College (WTC) – La Crosse
Training coordinated through ABC WI’s statewide apprenticeship network.
Apprenticeship Cost & Career Outlook
This is a Registered Apprenticeship Program — meaning you will earn while you learn.
- Paid on-the-job training with increasing wages
- Classroom or technical instruction provided by the program
- No tuition costs — apprentices are paid during training
- Nationally recognized credential upon completion
Because apprenticeships are managed through the U.S. Department of Labor, College Scorecard data for tuition and earnings does not apply. Apprenticeships provide real-world experience and a direct path to journeyman-level wages without student debt.