Plumber

About this occupation

Plumbers maintain and install water, gas and sewage systems. They inspect pipes and fixtures on a regular basis or make repairs as needed. They bend, cut, and install pipes. They test systems and make adjustments safely and following regulations. They place sanitary equipment.

• Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
• Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
• Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
• Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
• Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
• Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.

Typical education (US)

Post-Secondary Certificate

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Conventional, Investigative

Top skills: Critical Thinking, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Speaking

US median pay: US$63,800 a year (2025), 465,840 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (4.3)
• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.3)
• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (3.8)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.8)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.5)
• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.3)
• PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.2)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Post-Secondary Certificate

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.