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What does a master plumber do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a master plumber do
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Master plumber responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real master plumber resumes:

  • Install pvc, c900 and ductile iron sewers.
  • Install copper, pvc and cast iron water mains.
  • Install water heater and place toilets, faucets, and dishwashers.
  • Install and repair portable water lines, fixtures including faucets, basins, water closets and urinals.
  • Perform start-ups and repairs for residential-commercial HVAC systems.
  • License and authorize to install and to assume responsibility for contractual agreement and to secure any permits for plumbing installations.
  • Master plumbing/gas technician with responsibilities of all types of relate plumbing installations and repairs in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
  • Levele earth to fine grade specifications, using picks and shovels, and mix concrete, using portable mixer.

Master plumber skills and personality traits

We calculated that 29% of Master Plumbers are proficient in Plumbing, Hand Tools, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Master Plumbers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Plumbing, 29%

    Master plumbing/gas technician with responsibilities of all types of related plumbing installations and repairs in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

  • Hand Tools, 7%

    Operate power hand tools and motorized equipment.

  • HVAC, 6%

    Maintained approximately 100 commercial/residential units by doing basic electrical, painting, carpentry, and HVAC.

  • Water Heaters, 5%

    Monitor, repair and maintain all water heaters, air conditioners, sinks, tubs and restrooms.

  • Plumbers, 4%

    Service department manager who coordinated estimates and trained apprentice plumbers.

  • Hot Water, 4%

    Repaired and replaced steam to hot water exchangers for major building heating systems, homes, and pools.

"plumbing," "hand tools," and "hvac" are among the most common skills that master plumbers use at work. You can find even more master plumber responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a master plumber to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "plumbers must be able to direct workers, bid on jobs, and plan work schedules." Master plumbers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed organization, and communication skills while constructing industrial, commercial, and residential plumbing systems. "

Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform master plumber duties is dexterity. Master plumbers responsibilities require that "plumbers must be able to maneuver parts and tools precisely, often in tight spaces." Master plumbers also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "use of all hand tools and power tools, general labor with lots of lifting and long hours. "

Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for master plumbers to perform their duties. For an example of how master plumber responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters choose from a variety of tools to assemble, maintain, and repair pipe systems." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a master plumber: "interpreted and applied mechanical and structural blueprints to state planning, plumbing repairs, and modifications. ".

Troubleshooting skills. For certain master plumber responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of a master plumber rely on this skill, as "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters find, diagnose, and repair problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what master plumbers do: "lead troubleshooting efforts and repair water, and gas distribution systems. "

Most common master plumber skills

The three companies that hire the most master plumbers are:

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Compare different master plumbers

Master plumber vs. Drain technician

If we compare the average master plumber annual salary with that of a drain technician, we find that drain technicians typically earn a $5,031 higher salary than master plumbers make annually.Even though master plumbers and drain technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require plumbing, hvac, and water heaters in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, master plumber responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "plumbers," "hot water," and "domestic water." Meanwhile a typical drain technician has skills in areas such as "cdl," "customer service," "customer training," and "snakes." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, drain technicians reach lower levels of education than master plumbers. Drain technicians are 15.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Master plumber vs. Fire control system installer

Fire control system installer positions earn lower pay than master plumber roles. They earn a $21,589 lower salary than master plumbers per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that master plumber responsibilities requires skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," "water heaters," and "plumbers." But a fire control system installer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cctv," "jacks," "tms," and "control systems."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Fire control system installers tend to reach lower levels of education than master plumbers. In fact, they're 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Master plumber vs. Plumbing technician

On average scale, plumbing technicians bring in higher salaries than master plumbers. In fact, they earn a $4,958 higher salary per year.master plumbers and plumbing technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "plumbing," "hand tools," and "hvac," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, master plumbers are more likely to have skills like "water heaters," "plumbers," "hot water," and "troubleshoot." But a plumbing technician is more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "strong customer service," "osha," and "little supervision."

Plumbing technicians earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $72,336. Comparatively, master plumbers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $56,956.plumbing technicians typically earn lower educational levels compared to master plumbers. Specifically, they're 15.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Master plumber vs. Water softener installer

Water softener installers tend to earn a lower pay than master plumbers by an average of $15,798 per year.While both master plumbers and water softener installers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like plumbing, pvc, and service calls, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A master plumber uses "hand tools," "hvac," "water heaters," and "plumbers." Water softener installers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "pipe threaders," "control valves," and "water quality. "water softener installers reach lower levels of education compared to master plumbers, in general. The difference is that they're 16.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of master plumber

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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