Plumbing Career Highlights

Salary
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are among the highest paid construction occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Median hourly earnings of pipelayers in May 2004 were $13.68, the middle 50 percent earned between $11.05 and $18.69, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.19, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.07. For the same period, median hourly earnings of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters were $19.85, while the middle 50 percent earned between $15.01 and $26.67, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.62, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.72. Median hourly wages for the industries employing the largest numbers of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in May 2004 were as follows:

• Natural gas distribution $23.86
• Nonresidential building construction $21.55
• Building equipment contractors $19.85
• Utility system construction $18.29
• Local government $16.30

Typically, apprentices start at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, with hourly wages increasing periodically as their skills improve.

Hours worked per week
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters working in construction typically work a standard 40-hour week; those involved in maintaining pipe systems, including those who provide maintenance services under contract, may have to work evening or weekend shifts, as well as be on call. Maintenance workers may spend quite a bit of time traveling to and from worksites.

Education required
Residential and industrial plumbers usually get their training in career and technical schools or community colleges and from on-the-job training. eLearningYellowPages.com directory lists several excellent accredited programs for learning the plumbing trade. Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters working for commercial enterprises are usually trained through formal apprenticeship programs.

Although there are no uniform national licensing guidelines, most communities require plumbers to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary, but most communities require workers to pass an examination that tests their knowledge of the trade and of local plumbing codes.

Growth Prospects
Job opportunities for the plumbing professions are expected to be excellent, as demand for skilled pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is expected to outpace the supply of workers trained in this craft. Employment of pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, with demand for plumbers stemming from new construction and building renovation.

Plumber Responsibilities
Residential plumbers go to homes to unclog a drain or install an appliance. Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems such as: systems that move water to a municipal water treatment plant and then to residential, commercial, and public buildings; or other systems that dispose of waste, provide gas to stoves and furnaces, or provide for heating and cooling needs. Pipes are also used in manufacturing plants to move material through the production process, and specialized piping systems are very important in both pharmaceutical and computer-chip manufacturing.

Sometimes pipelaying, plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting are considered a single trade; however, workers typically specialize in one of five areas. Pipelayers lay clay, concrete, plastic, or cast-iron pipe for drains, sewers, water mains, and oil or gas lines. Pipelayers prepare and grade the trenches either manually or with machines, before laying the pipe. After laying the pipe, pipelayers weld, glue, cement or join the pipe pieces together. Plumbers install and repair the water, waste disposal, drainage, and gas systems in homes and commercial and industrial buildings; they also install plumbing fixtures—bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets—and appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters. Pipefitters install and repair both high- and low-pressure pipe systems used in manufacturing, in the generating electricity, and in heating and cooling systems of buildings. They also install automatic controls used to regulate these systems. Steamfitters install pipe systems that move liquids or gases under high pressure, while sprinklerfitters install automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings.

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters must be able to follow building plans or blueprints and instructions from construction supervisors, lay out the job correctly, and work efficiently with the materials and tools of their trade.

*Source: US Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook