Architecture and Construction Career Cluster

Revised May 2024

The Architecture and Construction career cluster focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from architect and carpenter to construction manager, electrician, plumber, and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technician.

Statewide Program of Study: Plumbing and Pipefitting

The Plumbing and Pipefitting program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities related to assembling, installing, and repairing pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, and drainage systems. The program also includes maintaining pipe supports and related hydraulic or pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, lubricating, and sprinkling systems.

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

• Level 1: Principles of Construction
• Level 2: Plumbing Technology I
• Level 3: Plumbing Technology II
• Level 4: No Level 4 course offered; current sequence completes endorsement requirements

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

• Complete a pre-apprenticeship in plumbing or pipefitting to develop skills in assembling, installing, and repairing pipes
• Shadow a plumber who is repairing drainage systems

Expanded Learning Opportunities

• Participate in SkillsUSA
• Tour apprenticeship programs

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Apprenticeships

• Plumber
• Pipefitter

Associate Degrees

• Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter
• Construction Site Management
• Plumbing Technology
• Property Maintenance

Bachelor’s Degrees

• Construction Engineering
• Construction Management

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

• Construction Engineering
• Construction Management

Additional Stackable Licenses/Certifications

• Journeyman Plumber
• Master Plumber

Example Aligned Occupations

Helpers—Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

• Median Wage: $36,352
• Annual Openings: 1,482
• 10-Year Growth: 26%

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

• Median Wage: $55,804
• Annual Openings: 5,751
• 10-Year Growth: 22%

Construction Managers

• Median Wage: $95,072
• Annual Openings: 6,325
• 10-Year Growth: 24%

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications

• HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
• Industrial Technology Maintenance (ITM) – Maintenance Piping
• NCCER Core
• NCCER Industrial Pipefitting
• NCCER Pipefitting Level I
• NCCER Plumbing Level I
• NCCER Plumbing Level II
• Tradesman Plumber – Limited

Additional Information

Successful completion of the Plumbing and Pipefitting program of study fulfills requirements of the Business and Industry endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission (Retrieved March 8, 2024)

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/programs-of-study