Plumber

What Does a Career in Plumbing Look Like?

A plumber installs, maintains, and repairs pipes and fixtures related to heating, cooling, water systems, gas, steam, and sanitation in your home or business. A plumber installs and fixes appliances that carry water to and from your kitchen and bathrooms. They are responsible for repairing sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, laundry facilities, water heaters, sprinkler systems, furnaces, dishwashers, valves, and other items related to water and some energy sources.

A plumber must have an awareness of all safety regulations and building codes, and it is important to have good communication skills to understand client needs, the ability to adhere to a budget, and willingness to work with other contractors in a home or business. Entry to this field is often through an apprenticeship that provides on-the-job training.

Type of Jobs/Industries

Energy sector
Sustainable technology
Residential plumbing
Commercial plumbing
Pipefitter/Steamfitter
Power plants (petrochemical, refining)
Fabrication
Fire Protection
HVAC
Construction
Pipelines

Requirements

A high school equivalency degree is not required
Certification by the state may be necessary

Accredited Schools for Plumbing

Click here for a list of national accredited plumbing schools.

plumber

Vocational Training for Plumbing

Penn Foster

Tip

Trade union membership for plumbers offers opportunities for training and learning the newest developments for safety regulations and building codes.

Contact The National Plumbers Union for more information.

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in plumbing are expected to increase by 14% from 2018 to 2028.

Also See

Construction
HVAC

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