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How to hire a plumber assistant

Plumber assistant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring plumber assistants in the United States:

  • There are a total of 221,417 plumber assistants in the US, and there are currently 12,671 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a plumber assistant is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per plumber assistant on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Gurnee, IL, has the highest demand for plumber assistants, with 2 job openings.

How to hire a plumber assistant, step by step

To hire a plumber assistant, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a plumber assistant:

Here's a step-by-step plumber assistant hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a plumber assistant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new plumber assistant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The plumber assistant hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect plumber assistant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of plumber assistant salaries for various roles:

    Type of Plumber AssistantDescriptionHourly rate
    Plumber AssistantPlumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.$17-39
    Maintenance PlumberA maintenance plumber repairs individual water systems or large water facilities. This job position monitors, diagnoses, maintains, and repairs gas leaks, water shortages, sewage, and pipe systems... Show more$17-37
    Residential PlumberA residential plumber installs, repairs, fits, and maintains pipes in a drainage system for residential buildings. They also do fixtures associated with water heating and cooling, water distribution, and sanitation services... Show more$17-39
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Plumbing
    • Hot Water Heaters
    • Sewer Lines
    • PVC
    • Caulking
    • Brazing
    • Pipe Systems
    • Pipe Sections
    • Plastic Solvent
    • HVAC
    • Install Valves
    • Cold Water Lines
    • Dishwashers
    • Service Calls
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage troubleshooting, pump repair, converters, brazing, and soldering.
    • Check pipes and plumbing fixtures using pressure gauges for leaks utilize plastic solvents caulk solder brazing and welding
    • Repair and install plumbing fixtures like hot water tanks, water heaters, dishwashers, garbage disposals, sinks etc.
    • Assist with various plumbing issues which include slab leaks, replacing water heaters, dishwashers, stoppages, and many more.
    • Used new PEX piping whenever possible.
    • Convert water lines from copper to PEX pipe for main supply lines to toilets, bathtubs and sinks.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your plumber assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A plumber assistant salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, plumber assistants' average salary in arkansas is 56% less than in oregon.
    • Seniority. Entry-level plumber assistants earn 56% less than senior-level plumber assistants.
    • Certifications. A plumber assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a plumber assistant's salary.

    Average plumber assistant salary

    $54,639yearly

    $26.27 hourly rate

    Entry-level plumber assistant salary
    $36,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025
  4. Writing a plumber assistant job description

    A plumber assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a plumber assistant job description:

    Plumber assistant job description example

    This entry-level skilled trade position earns an hourly wage of $12.00 - $18.00, based upon experience and skillset. We also provide well-rounded benefits such as health, dental, vision, vacation, and paid time off (PTO). If this sounds like the right opportunity for you to take a step closer to becoming a top-tier team member with a caring, supporting, and dedicated work-family, apply today !

    ABOUT ARROW PLUMBING

    We are a family-run business that was founded in 1977 by Bruce Barnes and his wife, Ann. Bruce has over 40 years of plumbing experience and can be found most days doing what he enjoys most training our team on the latest industry-related technology. Our team members always carefully evaluate each system problem and provide clients with an exact price to approve before any work begins. Our service guarantee and repair warranty are among the best in the country and we stand behind all of our services. Our clients know that their service will be managed by honest professionals who want to earn business and references for years to come.

    In order to be the best, we have to have the best. As a result, we offer competitive pay, exquisite benefits, profit sharing opportunities, and numerous growth opportunities. Did we mention that we have year-round work? That's right! We don't just provide temporary or seasonal positions. With a full-schedule and a company that really cares, you're sure to stick around.

    YOUR LIFE AS AN APPRENTICE PLUMBER / PLUMBING ASSISTANT

    Working alongside our master plumbers in the field, they teach you how to converse with customers and complete proper repairs and installations. By maintaining a clean worksite and company truck, you keep everything organized and safe. Since you're looking forward to a Journeyman Plumber's career, you improve your skills through on-going education in an effort to earn the proper licensing. When it comes to hands-on learning, you are eager and always lend a helping hand. Being part of such a great team excites you about your future in a stable skilled trade position in a booming industry!

    QUALIFICATIONS TO BE AN APPRENTICE PLUMBER / PLUMBING ASSISTANT

    • A mechanical aptitude
    • The ability to catch on quickly
    • Willing to learn

    If you have any plumbing experience, that's a plus but not required! Are you an honest, hard-working individual? Do you have effective communication skills? Are you punctual and reliable? Do you pay attention to detail? Are you a self-starter who is willing to ask questions? Are you a team player who is interested in a long-term career in an essential skilled trade? If so, you might just be perfect for this Apprentice Plumber / Plumbing Assistant position. Apply now using our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application!

    Location: 77478

  5. Post your job

    To find plumber assistants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any plumber assistants they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level plumber assistants with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your plumber assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit plumber assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit plumber assistants, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new plumber assistant

    Once you've found the plumber assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new plumber assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a plumber assistant?

Before you start to hire plumber assistants, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire plumber assistants pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $54,639 per year for a plumber assistant, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for plumber assistants in the US typically range between $17 and $39 an hour.

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