What Does it Take to Be a Plumber?
Job Description & Duties Assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.
Life As a Plumber: What Do They Do?
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Keep records of work assignments.
- Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe to required angle, using hand or power tools or machines, such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, or pipe-bending machines.
- Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
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What Every Plumber Should Know
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 Jobs
- Plumbing Mechanic
- Heating Unit Installer
- Water Softener Servicer
- Journeyman Plumber
- Water Softener Servicer and Installer
Is There Going to be Demand for Plumbers?
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 61,000 job openings in this field each 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.
Plumber Average Salary
Plumbers make between $32,100 and $93,700 a year.
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 & Technology do Plumbers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Plumbers:
- 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
Becoming a Plumber
Individuals working as a Plumber have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Plumbers Work
Plumbers work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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