What is a Plumber?
A plumber installs and maintains pipes in homes and businesses. These pipes need to be installed and maintained for potable water, drainage, irrigation and sewage, as well as other uses.
Plumbers can be involved in hands-on work or may work in a design capacity, drafting blueprints and helping make the installation process more efficient. This is a profession with an extensive number of possible career paths.
This can be a very rewarding career, as evidenced by survey data that indicates that licensed professionals in the field tend to remain in the profession for their entire career. Many even continue part-time, well past the usual retirement age, helping the next generation by providing apprenticeships and learning opportunities.
Get online training through our partner:
Explore the Penn Foster Plumber program
Receive free program information today!
PlumberCareer DiplomaDuration 812 months
Ready to take the next step in your career? Become a Plumber through Penn Foster's accredited online school.
Someone interested in becoming a plumber would be interested to know that the stereotypical job as a residential plumber is only a small portion of the available career opportunities for an experienced professional.
An expert in plumbing is aware of building regulations and safety standards, and works to make sure these standards are upheld. Legal expertise can also be an aspect of plumbing, since the laws regulating this trade vary depending on where you live, and can be difficult for a layperson to understand.
Testing pipes for leakage using air pressure and other gauges, and also the ability to construct new pipe systems by cutting, fitting, measuring, and threading pipes are some of the other more involved aspects of plumbing.
Plumbers often work right alongside architects, as they can contribute valuable knowledge about the best positions for wall passage and fixture locations, saving the architect valuable time and avoiding expensive mistakes.
Plumbers have distinct personalities. They tend to be realistic individuals, which means theyre independent, stable, persistent, genuine, practical, and thrifty. They like tasks that are tactile, physical, athletic, or mechanical. Some of them are also investigative, meaning theyre intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive.
Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if plumber is one of your top career matches.
Job security tends to be good in this field. A day in the life of a plumber might include fielding midnight phone calls from a frantic customer with a broken pipe, or may involve working for an architectural firm or visiting a construction site.
Many plumbers are self-employed, or work for a small business employing less than ten people though some might find working for larger entities or the government to be more desirable. Many large buildings employ their own staff, including school districts, college campuses, airports, and municipal buildings. The military is another large employer of plumbing professionals, though past experience as a member of the armed forces may be a prerequisite.
Simply put, anywhere that has or needs to have running water is an opportunity for potential customers. Even motor vehicles such as buses, recreational vehicles, large airplanes, yachts, and cruise ships all need the installation of plumbing and will need repair work from time to time.
Plumbers rank among the least happy careers. Overall they rank in the 19th percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Sokanu members only.
While no specific data accounts for this strikingly low happiness quotient, it may be partially attributable to the trades physical demands, its propensity for irregular hours and overtime, the potential dangers associated with the work, and the sometimes negative public perception of public service workers as a whole.
After earning their high school diploma or equivalent, many aspiring plumbers start learning the trade by enrolling in a plumbing diploma or associate degree program at a trade or technical school this is one or two years in duration. They subsequently complete a plumber apprenticeship, which can take another four to five years. Others enter an apprenticeship immediately following high school graduation.
Many apprenticeships are sponsored by trade unions, associations, and plumbing contracting companies. Applicants must typically pass an aptitude test or entrance exam. They may also be required to pass a background check and/or a drug test.
Plumber apprenticeships include a combination of classroom and on-the-job training under the supervision of one or more experienced journeyman plumbers. Classes cover workplace safety and plumbing codes; the proper use and maintenance of tools; mathematics used to measure pipes and determine materials needed for pipe layouts; creating piping drawings; and interpreting blueprints and building plans. On the job, apprentices gain experience with installations, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Upon completing an apprenticeship, plumbers in the U.S. must pass a licensing exam before they can offer their services to the public.
There are several factors that aspiring plumbers should consider:
Essential Qualities and Skills
Working Conditions
Insights from an Experienced Plumber
"The best part of the job is knowing that weve built a reputation of fairness we are building the company on the foundation of thousands of customers weve served faithfully."
"By the far, the worst part of the job is the potential for contact with human waste. Clogged or broken sewer lines still require hands-on attention. A broken sewer line in a crawl space or basement can be pumped out and treated before repair is made, but the conditions are still foul."
"The biggest misconception that people have about being a plumber is probably that were all ill-educated, poorly spoken, uninformed rednecks. Ive known plumbers who are wonderful artists and musicians. Theyre from all walks of life. They are adept and mentally strong people that keep their dignity in a culture that sometimes diminishes the value of service industry workers."
Based on our pool of users, plumbers tend to be predominately investigative people. This finding is supported by the primary responsibilities of these tradespeople. Indisputably, they must frequently employ their investigative and troubleshooting abilities to properly install, repair, and replace water and gas pipes, drainage systems, and waste disposal systems.
Plumbers are also known as:Journeyman Plumber Drain Technician Residental Plumber Service Plumber Commercial Plumber
Follow this link:
What does a plumber do? - CareerExplorer
- Melbourne-Based Zebra Plumbing Is the Go-To Plumber for ... - Benzinga - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Sen. Kane: The plumber's perspective on Pennsylvania's budget - Broad + Liberty - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Don't Wait for a 'Plumber' to Fix the Financial System - RealMoney - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- 'White House Plumbers' puts a laugh-out-loud spin on the Watergate ... - NPR - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Mario: Is Our Favorite Italian Plumber the Next Big Time Movie ... - MovieWeb - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- From Plumbers to Electricians, the U.S. is Gasping for Skilled Workers - Atalayar - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Veep and White House Plumbers Showrunner David Mandel Fears the WGA Strike Will Be Long and Bloody - Yahoo Entertainment - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- 'White House Plumbers,' 'Silo' Debut: What's Premiering This Week ... - Next TV - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Southampton man launches 200k claim against NHS for loss of sex life - Southern Daily Echo - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- Emmy Experts Typing: Will any late release break through in the chaotic limited categories? - Gold Derby - May 7th, 2023 [May 7th, 2023]
- The 10 Best Plumbers Near Me | Free Plumbing Reviews Near Me | Angi - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- This is it: Dads brush with death during Geelong Ring Road disaster - Geelong Advertiser - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Its Almost Like an Illusion- Mario Creator Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals the Ideology That Keeps Nintendos Legendary Plumber Welcoming to All Generations -... - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Its the Dynamic of This Guy- The Super Mario Bros. Movie Star Seth Rogen Reasons on the Choice of Donkey Kongs Voice - EssentiallySports - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- How to Hire a Plumber: Qualifications and Costs Forbes Home - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Plumber Near Me: A Guide to Hiring a Plumber for Your Home - Bob Vila - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Hunt quashes plumber claims insisting he is at SuperSport United to deliver and not for financial gains - Goal.com - January 26th, 2023 [January 26th, 2023]
- Kind-hearted plumber gives family 170 in fuel and food after seeing their 'starving poverty' - Yahoo New Zealand News - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Plumber gives family 170 of food and fuel to get through to pay day - Wales Online - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- I saved $500 on a plumber by using three common household products to make the sink drain faster... - The US Sun - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Why More Inexperienced Candidates Are Running And Winning - FiveThirtyEight - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Burnaby resident fuming as city won't cover cost of sewage damage caused by its system - Burnaby Now - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Global Pipe Repair Clamps Market Applications, Types and Future Outlook Report 2021-2027 to Latest Innovations and Major Players are The Plumber's... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Plumbing Devices Market Outlook 2022: Overview, Opportunities, Key Companies and Forecast to 2028 TOTO, Rifeng, Moen, Kohler, Joyou, Jomoo, Jinniu,... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Royal Family: The 22 job vacancies the Queen is looking to fill right now - My London - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Get the Lead Out (of Your Home) - Earth911.com - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Global Plumbing Supplies & Parts Market 2021 Growth, Trends, Leading Players and Business Insights Forecast to 2027 The Oxford Spokesman - The... - January 25th, 2022 [January 25th, 2022]
- Why Hire Professionals For Plumbing Maintenance: Reasons And Benefits - Seekers Time - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- What are the Benefits of Hiring a Green Plumber? - Legal Reader - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Experts explain how to keep pipes from freezing during frigid weather - KSNT News - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Peoria plumber shares tips to prevent pipes from freezing this weekend - CIProud.com - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Plumbing Accessories Market Trends, Outlook, Size, Share and Forecast by 2026 | The Plumbers Choice, Oatey, Elmdor, Zurn, Weld-On - The Courier - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- High Density Plumber Tape Market ? What Factors Will Drive The Market In Upcoming Years And How It Is Going To Impact On Global Industry | (2020-2027)... - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Take care now to avoid frozen pipes given the plummeting temps in the forecast - My Ferndale News - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Plumbing Parts Market Challenges and Opportunities by Covid-19 Impact Analysis and Future Investments by 2026| HAMAT, ROHL, Dornbracht, Elkay, Native... - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- 5 Tips in Choosing the Best Plumbing Service for Your Home and Business Needs - LA Progressive - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Newswatch 12 - News From Where You Live - Rhinelander Wisconsin WJFW TV-12, WJFWDT 12.1, NBC Affiliate - WJFW-TV - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Redundant South Yorkshire hospitality boss retrains as a plumber to beat the pandemic - The Star - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumber fears his race 'was involved' in client's false accusation over missing 10k - Mirror Online - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- 'I won't employ anyone that refuses vaccination,' claims plumbing boss - LBC - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumbing the marvels of 'mRNA' in creating vaccines, therapeutics - Dorchester Reporter - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumbing Fixtures Market (2021-2026) | Potential growth, attractive valuation make it is a long-term investment | Geberit AG, Jacuzzi, Inc - The... - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Plumbing Hardware Market Size By Analysis, Key Vendors, Regions, Type and Application, and Forecasts to 2027 - NeighborWebSJ - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- What To Always Check When You're In Need Of A Plumber - E/The Environmental Magazine - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- The Plumber: Plumbing gifts that keep on giving - The Detroit News - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Company wins contest for product geared to help plumbers - KOLR - OzarksFirst.com - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- GE Appliances Announces New Air & Water Solutions to Serve Plumbing and HVAC Industry - ACHR NEWS - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Drink-drive plumber had been "having a very difficult year" - Hereford Times - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- How to Add Plumbing to Your Already Profitable HVAC Business - ACHR NEWS - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Get Quality Backed, Prompt, and Cost-Effective Plumbing Services from Boyd Plumbing, Inc. - Press Release - Digital Journal - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- The 20-year-old trainee plumber from Wythenshawe hoping to sink Spurs in the FA Cup - Manchester Evening News - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- Plumbers, carpenters, welders, mechanics and aerodrome managers wanted to run Australias Antarctic Program - PerthNow - December 9th, 2020 [December 9th, 2020]
- West Lothian mum fumes after catching her plumber sleeping on the bathroom floor - Edinburgh Live - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- UFC stars who have other jobs, including McGregor as ex-plumber and Miocic who still works as a firefighter - The Sun - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Who installed the sprinkler plumbing? - liherald.com - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Joe the plumber? No - The Hindu - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Amigo Plumbing and the COVID Comeback - Contractor - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Reasons to Hire A Professional Water Heater Plumbing Company - EndZoneScore - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Parallel Plumbing And Heating Perhaps Your Best Choice - News Anyway - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Superior Plumbing and Heating boasts 40 years of experience - Cut Bank Pioneer Press - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Racist actions, attitudes 'nothing new' on construction sites - Construction Dive - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- "Official Truck of 2020": NKY Plumbing Company Brands Septic Vehicle - The River City News - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Plumbers reveal why people shouldn't use this popular cleaning 'hack' - Western Telegraph - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Plumbing Market: Good Value & Room to Grow Ahead Seen - The Think Curiouser - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Here's How a Local HVAC Company Adapted During the Pandemic - Small Business Trends - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Water Saving Plumbing Product Market Trends, Key Players, Overview, Competitive Breakdown and Regional Forecast by 2025 - Eurowire - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Plumbing Fixtures Market 2020-2027 Global Industry Development Trends and Analysis - The Think Curiouser - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Life Changes: Mission trip to Haiti after earthquake takes Patton Ford from a future in law to plumbing - Northside Sun - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- This trailblazing plumber seeks gains for other minority women in skilled trades - Las Vegas Sun - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- 4 Fast Plumbers, Arlington is taking over the plumbing services in Arlington with their broad and professional services - Press Release - Digital... - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Fifty-Five Students Awarded Scholarships Through the PHCC Educational Foundation - ACHR NEWS - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Do your homework: Household repairs are a recurrent cost and can make us run up huge bills - The Times of India Blog - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Super Mario Bros. 35: How to win and be the last surviving plumber - GameCrate - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Plumbers frustrated by code change that could take away business - The Topeka Capital-Journal - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Plumbing and IOT in South Africa - IT News Africa - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Multi Skilled Technician - Joiner/ Plumber job with The Guinness Partnership | 4642979 - Inside Housing - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Plumbing, HVAC technician jobs expand with fluctuating workforce - WPTV.com - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Luxury Plumbing Fixtures Market Report to 2024 - Trends Insights and Business St - GroundAlerts.com - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Gary Pettus Dies at 70; Used Skills To Bless the Lives of People - The New York Times - October 10th, 2020 [October 10th, 2020]
- Michigan election jokes? One's about a stool pigeon and a plumber. The other involves Trump. - The Fulcrum - September 22nd, 2020 [September 22nd, 2020]