Plumber

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Plumber

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Trades

Installs, repairs, and maintains piping systems for water supply, drainage, gas, and heating in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, reading blueprints and adhering to building codes.

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$63K

Median Salary

+2%

Stable

High School Diploma

Min. Education

Moderate Balance

Work-Life Balance

About This Role

Plumbers install, repair, and maintain the piping systems that carry water, gas, and waste through residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They start each day by loading a service van with the tools and materials they expect to need, including pipe wrenches, cutters, soldering torches, and various types of pipe and fittings. The work varies from one call to the next: a morning job might involve running a drain camera to locate a sewer blockage caused by tree roots, while an afternoon job could mean installing new copper or plastic supply lines for a bathroom renovation according to a set of blueprints.

A Day in the Life

7:00 AM

Load van and review schedule

Organize pipe wrenches, cutters, fittings, and soldering equipment in the van, then check the dispatch system for the day's jobs and plan a route.

8:00 AM

Diagnose a drain blockage

Arrive at a residential call, run a small camera through the drain line to find the clog, clear it with a motorized auger, and advise the homeowner on prevention.

10:30 AM

Install fixtures at a commercial site

At an office building, measure and cut pipes according to the blueprint, solder or cement the joints, mount the sinks, and test every connection for leaks.

12:30 PM

Lunch break

Eat lunch in the van while calling a supplier to arrange a pipe delivery for tomorrow and reviewing photos from the morning's work.

1:30 PM

Repair a water heater

Replace a faulty part on a gas water heater in an apartment, bleed air from the lines, and restart the system to confirm it heats properly.

3:30 PM

Respond to emergency leak

Arrive at an urgent call where a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve to stop flooding, cap the broken section temporarily, and schedule a full repair.

5:00 PM

Wrap up and invoice

Clean and stow tools, log the hours and materials used for each job in the billing software, and email the customer a final invoice with maintenance recommendations.

Tools & Technologies

• Word Processing
  • Microsoft Word
  • Atlas Construction Business Forms
  • Wilhelm Publishing Threshold
• Accounting
  • QuickBooks
  • KRS Enterprises Service First!
  • Quicken
• Spreadsheets
  • Microsoft Excel
  • PipingOffice
• Web Development
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
• Office Suites
  • Microsoft Office
• Analytics & Science
  • Bentley Systems AutoPIPE
  • COADE CAESAR II
  • Elite Software DPIPE
  • Elite Software FIRE
  • Elite Software HSYM

Salary Details

Salary Distribution

Salary distribution for Plumber: 10th percentile $41K, 25th $49K, median $63K, 75th $82K, 90th $105K Median $41K $49K $63K $82K $105K

Most professionals earn between $49K and $82K

Plumber salary percentile distribution Percentile Salary 10th $41K 25th $49K 50th (Median) $63K 75th $82K 90th $105K

Certifications, Training & Memberships

Essential

Journeyman Plumber License

State Plumbing Board

Certification

Required credential earned after apprenticeship and exam, proving competency in pipefitting and code compliance.

Recommended

Master Plumber Certification

American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)

Certification

Advanced license for supervising projects and business ownership, involving rigorous testing on design and management.

Backflow Prevention Tester

American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA)

Certification

Trains to test and repair devices preventing water contamination in systems.

Helpful

Medical Gas Piping Installer

American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)

Certification

Specialized cert for installing safe gas systems in hospitals and clinics.

Professional Memberships

PHCC Membership

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)

Membership

Professional network offering training, advocacy, and business resources for plumbers.

Work Environment

Remote Work On-site Only

Work Setting Primarily outdoor / field work

Physical Activity Physically active — significant time on your feet

Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction

Schedule Extended hours common

Your Skills & Attributes

Skills & Competencies Matches (43)

Troubleshooting

Moderate Match

Repairing

Moderate Match

Judgment and Decision Making

Moderate Match

Critical Thinking

Good Match

Monitoring

Moderate Match

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plumber a good career?

Plumber can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $63K and job outlook is stable (2% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.

What degree do you need to become a Plumber?

The typical education requirement for a Plumber is a High School Diploma. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.

How long does it take to become a Plumber?

Becoming a Plumber typically requires about 4 years of high school education. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.

What is the work-life balance like for a Plumber?

The work-life balance for a Plumber is moderate, with some periods requiring extended hours or flexibility. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.

What is the job outlook for Plumber?

The job outlook for Plumber is stable. Employment is projected to grow by 2% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.

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