Trades
Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters
Construction

Plumber

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases
Plumber
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Why Should You Consider This Career?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, & Steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Fitter, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Residential Plumber, Service Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, Steamfitter

Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Fitter, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Residential Plumber, Service Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, Steamfitter
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • 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.
  • Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
  • Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
  • Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
  • Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
  • Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
  • Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
  • Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
  • Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
47.9
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Cut metal components for installation.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Create construction or installation diagrams.
  • Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.
  • Install plumbing or piping.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Plan layout of construction, installation, or repairs.
  • Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures.
  • Clean equipment or facilities.
  • Select construction materials.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 81/100

  • Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 77/100

  • Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. 67/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 61/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 57/100

  • Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 55/100

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 53/100

  • Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 51/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 47/100

  • Physics

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes. 44/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Specialty wrenches
  • Pipe or tube cutter
  • Drain or pipe cleaning equipment
  • Levels
  • Pressure indicators
  • Blow torch
  • Power grinders
  • Pipe vises
  • Screwdrivers
  • Threading machine
  • Pullers
  • Hacksaw
  • Pneumatic grinders
  • Bench vises
  • Hoists
  • Metal detectors
  • Metal markers or holders
  • Pressure or steam cleaners
  • Threading die hand tool
  • Torx keys
  • Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Detection apparatus for non metallic objects
  • Hex keys
  • Bandsaw wheel
  • Pipe bending tools
  • Ratchets
  • Fluid regulators
  • Liquid leak detectors
  • Power drills
  • Squares
  • Blocks or pulleys
  • Demolition hammers
  • Locking pliers
  • Laser measuring systems
  • Spot welding machine
  • Wire brushes
  • Strap wrenches
  • Hand reamer
  • Power flaring tool
  • Power saws
  • Pipe reamer
  • Mill saw file
  • Depth gauges
  • Micrometers
  • Manlift or personnel lift
  • Tape measures
  • Drill press or radial drill
  • Slings
  • Welder torch
  • Dewatering pumps
  • Flow sensors
  • Pry bars
  • Nut drivers
  • Cutting die
  • Tachometers
  • Jacks
  • Industrial threading die
  • Square file
  • Hammer drills
  • Soldering iron
  • Welding masks
  • Slip or groove joint pliers
  • Hose cutter
  • Gas detectors
  • Impact wrenches
  • Alternating current AC arc welder
  • Tongs
  • Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
  • Pneumatic hammer
  • Gas generators
  • Diagonal cut pliers
  • Inspection mirror
  • Hydraulic truck cranes
  • Vibration testers
  • Circuit tracers
  • Box end wrenches
  • Taps
  • Sheet metal grooving machine
  • Torque wrenches
  • Conventional truck cranes
  • Offset socket wrenches
  • Safety harnesses or belts
  • Shears
  • Tube end finisher
  • Open end wrenches
  • Threading taps
  • Tapping machine attachment
  • Digital camcorders or video cameras
  • Ball peen hammer
  • Wire or cable cutter
  • Deburring tool
  • Hole saws
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Thermographs
  • Tungsten inert gas welding machine
  • Light trucks or sport utility vehicles
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Drain or toilet plunger
  • Voltage or current meters
  • Metal inert gas welding machine
  • Trenching machines
  • Saws
  • Pipe bending mandrel
  • Oil gun
  • Claw hammer
  • Wheel loaders
  • Level sensors or transmitters
  • Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine
  • Leak testing equipment
  • Tinners snips
  • Skid steer loaders
  • Water pumps
  • Two way radios
  • Staple guns
  • Impact hammers
  • Ladders
  • Dump trucks
  • Air compressors
  • Cold chisels
  • Calipers
  • Ohmmeters
  • Scaffolding
  • Hammers
  • Bolt cutters
  • Sump pumps
  • Utility knives
  • Notebook computers
  • Forklifts
  • Explosimeters
  • Moisture meters
  • Plumb bobs
  • Rasps
  • Direct current DC arc welder
  • Laser printers
  • Vacuum gauges
  • Caulking guns
  • Water samplers
  • Desktop computers
  • Swaging tools
  • Sewage pumps
  • Pipe extractors
  • Heat guns
  • Personal computers
  • Mud pumps
  • Winches
  • Backhoes
  • Augers
  • Tablet computers
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