Plumbing at Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, WI · Public · Certificate · Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services

with a mid-sized student body of 6,004 in Appleton, WI.

Program Analysis

At $79,589 per year, Plumbing graduates from Fox Valley Technical College significantly outpace the $42,600 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 169.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 13% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Plumbing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #2 out of 19 programs, Fox Valley Technical College's Plumbing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 22 registered apprenticeships mapped to Plumbing, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $79,589/yr (87% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$833K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
169.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,916
Out-of-state: $7,109

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Plumbing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers $78,690 +5.3% 57%
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas $65,010 +0.2% 95%
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters $62,970 +4.5% 95%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
$78,690
+5.3% growth 57% AI-proof
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas
$65,010
+0.2% growth 95% AI-proof
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
$62,970
+4.5% growth 95% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Plumbing Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Plumbing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Fox Valley Technical College and 18 other schools.

Read the full Plumbing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Plumbing Overview

Plumbing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fox Valley Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Fox Valley Technical College's Plumbing program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Fox Valley Technical College's Plumbing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is Plumbing from Fox Valley Technical College a future-proof career choice?
Plumbing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 13% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What makes Fox Valley Technical College's Plumbing program stand out?
The #2 ranking out of 19 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Plumbing through an apprenticeship instead of Fox Valley Technical College?
There are 22 registered apprenticeships connected to Plumbing occupations, such as Gas-Main Fitter and Marine Pipefitter (Existing Title: Pipe Fitter [Ship & Boat]) (Military Only). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Plumbing from Fox Valley Technical College?
At 125,700 annual openings, Plumbing has a very large employment base. Fox Valley Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →