Plumbing at Pennco Tech-Bristol

Bristol, PA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services

a smaller institution with 603 students in Bristol, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,668 place Pennco Tech-Bristol below the $42,600 national median for Plumbing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Some AI exposure exists in Plumbing's career paths, with 13% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 28% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $31,668 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #12 of 19 Plumbing programs, Pennco Tech-Bristol falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $31,668 to $43,065 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Plumbing offers 22 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $31,668/yr (-26% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (87% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (125,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$459K
8.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,065
36% growth from Year 1

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

Explore what Plumbing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 19 programs nationwide.

Read the full Plumbing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Plumbing Overview

Plumbing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pennco Tech-Bristol

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Plumbing at Pennco Tech-Bristol?
At 52/100, the score looks reasonable — but Plumbing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI replace Plumbing jobs?
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's the typical debt for Plumbing graduates from Pennco Tech-Bristol?
At $9,500 in median debt, Plumbing graduates from Pennco Tech-Bristol carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is Pennco Tech-Bristol a good choice for Plumbing despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Plumbing program at Pennco Tech-Bristol?
If Pennco Tech-Bristol's tuition gives you pause, consider that 22 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Plumbing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Plumbing from Pennco Tech-Bristol?
With approximately 125,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Plumbing offers a very large employment pool. Pennco Tech-Bristol graduates enter a market shaped by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →