Plumbing Technician
Become Indispensable with a Career as a Plumber
Plumbing Technician Training in San Diego
Fix Your Future with Training in Plumbing
No one really thinks about the plumbing — until something goes wrong. That’s when a plumbing technician becomes a superhero. Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or industrial properties, plumbers are there to install, maintain, and repair water and piping systems, including installing fixtures and appliances, repairing broken equipment, and more. It’s a profession that is in consistent demand all over the United States.
What Does a Plumbing Technician Do?
As a plumbing technician, your daily tasks will include things like:
- Installing and repairing water, gas, and other piping systems in residential and commercial settings
- Determining the materials and equipment needed for a job and preparing cost estimates for clients
- Inspecting and testing installed pipe systems and troubleshooting malfunctioning areas
- Installing plumbing fixtures, like bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, as well as appliances like dishwashers and water heaters
- Cleaning drains, clearing out obstacles, replacing broken pipes and equipment, and maintaining septic systems
More Information About the Plumbing Trade
What Will I Learn in a Plumbing Technician Program?
Our 32-week Plumbing Technician program gets you started off right in your new career by teaching you the fundamentals of plumbing, mathematics in plumbing, devices, values, fittings, fixtures, water supplies, safety, design, and installation. We’ve got you covered with hands-on training in all the nuts and bolts (and pipes and valves) you need to qualify for entry-level positions.
What will course instruction look like?
We understand the importance of hands-on, practical experience when it comes to training to become a plumber, which is why our Plumbing Technician program prioritizes plenty of time in our modern labs. We build on that with on-campus classes led by licensed instructors who walk you through the foundational theory and knowledge you’ll need on the job.
Is Career Training Right for You?
Take the Summit College Career Training Readiness Quiz
The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
What plumbing technician classes will I take?
The curriculum for the Plumbing Technician program at Summit College El Cajon is designed to be comprehensive, with courses that include:
- Plumbing Fundamentals
- Plumbing Theory
- Fittings & Fixtures
- Drainage, Waste & Vents
- Water Service & Distribution
- Valves, Pumps & Plumbing Code
- Layout & Installation
- Servicing Plumbing Systems
What Is the Job Outlook for Plumbers in California?
According to the numbers out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, at a rate of around 4%, with around 44,000 annual openings.
In California, we’ll see an even greater need for trained plumbing technicians as jobs here are projected to grow twice as fast, at a rate of 8% through 2032. With approximately 4,500 job openings expected each year, employers will be looking to hire.
Where can plumbers work?
Pretty much everywhere you go, there’s a need for plumbers, so graduates of our San Diego-area Plumbing Technician program can plan to look for employment in places like:
- Plumbing contractors
- HVAC contractors
- Construction companies
- Heavy and civil engineering companies
- Government facilities
- Manufacturing facilities
Plumbers can also be self-employed and work directly with customers to hire out their skills and services.
What jobs can I get with Plumbing Technician training?
Here are some of the potential job titles and opportunities:
- Commercial Plumber
- Residential Plumber
- Water Supply Plumber
- Service and Repair Plumber
- Sanitary Plumber
- Industrial Plumber
- Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Plumber
El Cajon Campus
At Summit College El Cajon, you’ll have access to ample classrooms equipped with audiovisual technology, labs outfitted with updated equipment and instruments, computer labs, handicap-accessible restroom facilities, and a student lounge. Parking is provided to students at no charge.
Address and Location
Medical Assistant Campus Address (MA Program)
124 W. Main Street, Suite 200
El Cajon, CA 92020
Located at the northwest corner of W. Main Street and Magnolia Ave., just south of I-8 and a 10-minute ride from El Cajon Station on the 815 bus
Phone Number and Hours
General Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number: 888.504.2552
Why Should You Choose Summit College El Cajon?
You can have both future job prospects and the fulfilling career you dream of, and it starts with getting the training and skills you’ll need to join the dedicated healthcare heroes out there making a difference every day. That’s where Summit College comes in. Summit has been helping students get the training and skills they need to pursue successful careers in medical assisting since 1991. We do it with the philosophy that we’re in this together with each and every student — and that means providing support and encouragement — every step of the way.
- Professional faculty focused on your success: Your instructors have all done the job you’re training for and use their experience to prepare you for real-world situations. You’ll develop critical administrative and clinical skills through hands-on learning and will benefit from small class sizes.
- Comprehensive curriculum: Learn about phlebotomy and lab procedures, computer operations, body system functions, tool sterilization, EKGs, insurance claim processing and basic office procedures.
- Flexible, short-term programs: We understand and value your time. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling, with day, evening, and weekend options, and programs that can get you career-ready in under a year.
Ready for What’s Next?
Your Path to Success Starts Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Become a Plumber in California?
Much like other careers in the skilled trades, you can approach becoming a plumber in a couple different ways. On the one hand, you can go for an on-the-job apprenticeship, although it is generally an unstructured program and could take several years to complete.
Enrolling in an approved program at a plumbing trade school like Summit College El Cajon takes less time from first class to graduation. California requires anyone applying to take the licensing exam to be a Plumbing Contractor to demonstrate four years of journeyman-level experience in the field. (That experience can be entirely hands-on or up to three years in an approved college or vocational training program, but at least one year must be in the field).
To enroll in programs like these, you generally need to:
- Be 18 years or older
- Provide an acceptable high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Complete an interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Meet the required level of proficiency with speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English
After you’ve successfully graduated from a Plumbing Technician program, you’re eligible to apply for entry-level positions as a plumber with a licensed employer.
What Kinds of Certifications or Licenses Do I Need to Be a Plumber?
It depends on your employer and the types of jobs you’re handling. A license is not required to work as a journeyman or even a master plumber if you are employed by a contractor that has a valid C-36 license.
Per the Contractors State License Board:
A plumbing contractor provides a means for a supply of safe water, ample in volume and of suitable temperature for the purpose intended and the proper disposal of fluid waste from the premises in all structures and fixed works.
If you are self-employed or not working under a licensed contractor and you are taking on any projects valued over $500, then you will need to hold a C-36 license. In order to qualify for that, you need to:
- Have a minimum four years of journeyman-level experience
- Submit an application and pay a $25 fee
Pass the two-part licensing exam
How Long Does It Take to Become a Plumber?
The Plumbing Technician program at Summit College El Cajon was structured so that you can complete it in just 36 weeks and graduate ready to apply for entry-level plumber jobs. Other training programs might take longer; at many community colleges, plumbing training can take a year or longer.
How Much Does Plumbing Technician School Cost?
It really depends. Program tuition is affected by a lot of different factors, like the type of institution you’re attending, the length of the program, their cost per credit hour, any auxiliary fees, etc. At Summit College El Cajon, we respect that our students want the most out of their time and their budget, and we’ve designed our short-term programs around that. We also have a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education.
