Plumber

Your Fit

Income

$63K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

2.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Plumber?

A Plumber specializes in installing, repairing, and maintaining systems used for water distribution, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. This profession is essential in ensuring that water and waste systems function efficiently in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

Sample job titles:

Pipefitter, Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, Steamfitter

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Plumber.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Plumber earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$41K per year	$49K per year	$63K per year	$82K per year	$105K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $14K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Plumber do?

Work environment

Plumbers typically work in homes, businesses, and construction sites. The job can involve indoor and outdoor work and may require working in cramped spaces or at heights. Plumbers need to follow safety protocols due to the risks associated with tools, materials, and environments they work in.

Quick task list

Installs and repairs pipes and fixtures for water, gas, steam, and other systems.
Reads blueprints and follows building codes and specifications.
Inspects and tests installed pipe systems and pipelines.
Troubleshoots and resolves issues in plumbing systems.
Provides customer service, including explaining issues and repairs.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Residential Plumbing: Specializing in plumbing systems in homes and apartments.
Commercial Plumbing: Working on larger plumbing systems in commercial buildings, such as offices or malls.
Industrial Plumbing: Handling complex plumbing systems in industrial settings.
Service and Repair: Focusing on diagnosing and fixing plumbing issues.
Pipelayer: Specializing in laying and connecting pipe for water, gas, or sewage systems.

Description

Plumbers play a critical role in maintaining and improving the infrastructure necessary for daily life. Their work involves a variety of tasks, from installing new plumbing systems in construction projects to repairing existing ones in residential or commercial buildings. The job requires not only technical skills and knowledge of plumbing systems but also problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Plumbers must be knowledgeable about building codes and regulations to ensure that installations and repairs meet legal standards. The job also requires physical fitness, as plumbers often need to handle heavy materials and equipment, work in awkward positions, and sometimes operate in adverse weather conditions. Communication skills are important too, as plumbers interact with clients, explain complex issues, and sometimes work as part of a larger construction team.

The profession of plumbing offers a stable career with the potential for growth and specialization. It combines hands-on work with technical problem-solving, making it ideal for those who enjoy practical tasks and are interested in skilled trades.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Providing essential services that directly impact people's comfort and safety.
Problem-solving and the variety of work in different environments.
Opportunities for independent work and potential for entrepreneurship.

You might make a good Plumber if you are...

Skilled with your hands and enjoy manual work.
Interested in mechanics and how plumbing systems operate.
A problem-solver who enjoys diagnosing and fixing issues.
Capable of working independently and making decisions.
Good at communicating with clients and team members.

Pros:

Stable and in-demand career with opportunities for self-employment.
Diverse work environments, from residential to industrial settings.
Potential for job satisfaction from helping people and solving practical problems.

Cons:

Physically demanding work, often in cramped or uncomfortable conditions.
Risk of injury from tools and working conditions.
Potential for emergency call-outs at any time, including nights and weekends.

How to become a Plumber

Typical education

A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. Most plumbers learn their trade through a 4-5 year apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Some may attend vocational or technical schools.

High school preparation

Courses:

Shop classes or vocational training in plumbing to gain basic skills.
Mathematics, especially algebra and geometry, for measurements and calculations.
Physics to understand fluid dynamics and pressure systems.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining a robotics club or similar groups to develop mechanical skills.
Participating in sports or physical activities to build strength and stamina.
Volunteering for community service, particularly in construction or repair projects.

Preparation after high school

Enrolling in a technical or vocational school for formal training in plumbing.
Entering an apprenticeship program to gain hands-on experience while learning the trade.
Obtaining certifications in specialized areas, such as pipefitting, gas fitting, or green plumbing practices.

More resources

United Association (UA) Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, and Service Techs - Offers apprenticeship and training programs for plumbers.
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) - Provides education and advocacy for plumbing professionals.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Safety training and guidelines for plumbing and construction trades.
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) - Professional resources and development opportunities in plumbing engineering.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.