Plumbing at Apex Technical School

Apex Technical School's plumbing program sits in an interesting sweet spot: while it lags behind the national median by about $5,700 in first-year earnings, it actually outperforms most other New York plumbing programs, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. That matters because students typically attend trade schools close to home, and in the expensive New York market, Apex graduates are earning more than peers at competing local programs. The $9,500 debt load is manageable at less than four months of first-year income, and earnings climb steadily—reaching $37,163 by year four represents solid 26% growth.

The challenge is that $29,497 starting salary, which is tight for making ends meet in the New York metro area even with relatively low debt. However, context matters: the median New York plumbing program produces first-year earnings of just $26,078, so Apex graduates are clearing about $3,400 more annually than the state norm. The program also serves a predominantly working-class population (59% receive Pell grants), and for students seeking a quick path to skilled trades without taking on crushing debt, this delivers.

If your child is committed to plumbing and staying in New York, Apex offers better earnings potential than most local alternatives with debt that won't derail their financial future. The trajectory shows real earnings growth, suggesting graduates gain traction in the field over time.