What You Need to Know About Plumber

Example of Plumber Job Assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.

Plumber Responsibilities

• Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
• Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
• Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
• Compile information on governmental incentive programs related to the installation of energy or water saving plumbing systems or devices.
• Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
• Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Plumber?

When polled, Plumbers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Types of Plumber

• Drain Cleaner, Plumber
• Plumbing and Heating Mechanic
• Water Softener Installer
• Master Plumber
• Hot Water Heater Installer

Plumber Job Outlook

There were about 480,600 jobs for Plumber in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 75,200 new jobs for Plumber by 2026. There will be an estimated 61,000 positions for Plumber per year.

The states with the most job growth for Plumber are Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Plumber

The average yearly salary of a Plumber ranges between $32,100 and $93,700.

Plumbers who work in Illinois, Alaska, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Plumbers in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$45,260
Alaska	$75,520
Arizona	$48,950
Arkansas	$43,540
California	$61,410
Colorado	$53,350
Connecticut	$63,780
Delaware	$61,640
District of Columbia	$69,800
Florida	$44,200
Georgia	$48,680
Hawaii	$73,810
Idaho	$47,320
Illinois	$79,400
Indiana	$60,030
Iowa	$52,060
Kansas	$55,140
Kentucky	$55,890
Louisiana	$54,940
Maine	$50,830
Maryland	$60,610
Massachusetts	$70,320
Michigan	$61,620
Minnesota	$74,220
Mississippi	$45,280
Missouri	$63,550
Montana	$60,940
Nebraska	$55,110
Nevada	$55,600
New Hampshire	$55,180
New Jersey	$71,370
New Mexico	$45,420
New York	$73,820
North Carolina	$43,750
North Dakota	$53,800
Ohio	$55,640
Oklahoma	$50,710
Oregon	$73,810
Pennsylvania	$60,380
South Carolina	$44,970
South Dakota	$43,600
Tennessee	$48,850
Texas	$49,180
Utah	$51,970
Vermont	$51,210
Virginia	$50,330
Washington	$67,090
West Virginia	$60,000
Wisconsin	$68,510
Wyoming	$53,550

What Tools do Plumbers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Plumbers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Email software
• Word processing software
• Spreadsheet software
• Database software
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Bookkeeping software
• Intuit Quicken
• Maintenance management software
• Estimating software
• Insight Direct ServiceCEO
• Job costing software
• Drawing and drafting software
• Wilhelm Publishing Threshold
• Atlas Construction Business Forms
• Wintac Pro
• Contractor City Contractor Forms Pack

How do I Become a Plumber?

Individuals working as a Plumber have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Plumber?

Where Plumbers Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.