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What does a plumber helper do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a plumber helper do

A plumber helper is responsible for assisting the head plumber in installing plumbing systems, conducting preventive maintenance, and repairing broken components. Plumber helpers inspect and maintain the stability and condition of all the plumbing equipment to avoid potential hazards and ensure no delays in operations. They also adjust pipe systems, replace outdated gutters, and adhere to the highest safety standards and protocols during operations. A plumber helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to perform services under minimal supervision and strict timetables.

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Plumber helper responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real plumber helper resumes:

  • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Install lavatories, help install urinals and commodes, roof drains and hose-bibs.
  • Assist journeyman plumber with measuring, cutting, brazing and sweating copper and copper fittings.
  • Perform solder brazing, some rough work with acetylene torch and grinders and various cutting implements.
  • Used tools of the trade; pipe cutters, cutting torches, pipe threading and pipe bending machines
  • Operate equipment such as cutting torches, threading machines, grinders, beveling machines and round up clamps.
  • Perform HVAC thermostat calibration and take temperature readings.
  • Complete repairs and maintenance to commercial and residential plumbing systems in Mississippi and Louisiana.
  • Task trained/training in residential-commercial installment, tenant improvement, and removal of any plumbing needs or necessities.
  • Assist the master plumber with day to day activities including the installation of DWV systems, draining and cleaning.
  • Maintain and repair sterilizers as directed by maintenance orders and manufacturer's repair manuals.

Plumber helper skills and personality traits

We calculated that 36% of Plumber Helpers are proficient in Hand Tools, Plumbing, and Cast Iron. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.

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

  • Hand Tools, 36%

    Assisted in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, and systems, using hand tools.

  • Plumbing, 18%

    Tasked trained/training in residential-commercial installment, tenant improvement, and removal of any plumbing needs or necessities.

  • Cast Iron, 18%

    Repair or replacement of toilets and flanges (cast iron as well as old style lead and brass).

  • Ladders, 9%

    Operated hangers, sky and boom lifts, electric chain falls, ladders and tools.

  • PEX, 5%

    Assist Plumbers with installation of copper, PEX, and plastic Drain Waste & Vent (DWV) piping.

  • Sewer Lines, 2%

    Install and maintain water and sewer lines, as well as kitchen, bathroom and laundry fixtures and appliances.

Most plumber helpers use their skills in "hand tools," "plumbing," and "cast iron" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential plumber helper responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a plumber helper to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what plumber helpers do because "plumbers must be able to direct workers, bid on jobs, and plan work schedules." Additionally, a plumber helper resume shows how plumber helpers use communication skills: "developed organization, and communication skills while constructing industrial, commercial, and residential plumbing systems. "

Dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling plumber helper duties is dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "plumbers must be able to maneuver parts and tools precisely, often in tight spaces." According to a plumber helper resume, here's how plumber helpers can utilize dexterity in their job responsibilities: "lay and join pipe for water and sewer service, cut pipe and lift up to fitters. "

Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for plumber helpers to perform their duties. For an example of how plumber helper 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 plumber helper: "assist mechanical engineer, hvac mechanics with the proper assistants & safety regulations. ".

Troubleshooting skills. For certain plumber helper responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of a plumber helper 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 plumber helpers do: "managed troubleshooting, pump repair, converters, brazing, and soldering. "

Most common plumber helper skills

The three companies that hire the most plumber helpers are:

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Compare different plumber helpers

Plumber helper vs. Mason

A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise. They also inspect tools and equipment, ensuring that the materials are free from any defects to avoid hazards and construction delays.

We looked at the average plumber helper salary and compared it with the wages of a mason. Generally speaking, masons are paid $81 higher than plumber helpers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both plumber helper and mason positions are skilled in hvac, caulking, and commercial buildings.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between plumber helpers and mason. For instance, plumber helper responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "plumbing," "cast iron," and "ladders." Whereas a mason is skilled in "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, masons reach similar levels of education than plumber helpers. Masons are 4.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Plumber helper vs. Apprentice carpenter

An apprentice carpenter is responsible for assisting the carpenter on construction operations, ensuring the adherence to safety protocols, and following clients' specifications. Apprentice carpenters monitor carpentry tools and equipment adequacy, inspect the items for any defects for immediate repair or replacements, and analyze blueprints and schematics, especially for installing systems and essential components on the construction. An apprentice carpenter must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and extensive knowledge of the carpentry industry to support the project completion for the customer's satisfaction.

Apprentice carpenter positions earn lower pay than plumber helper roles. They earn a $5,991 lower salary than plumber helpers per year.A few skills overlap for plumber helpers and apprentices carpenter. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "hand tools," "plumbing," and "ladders. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that plumber helper responsibilities requires skills like "cast iron," "pex," "sewer lines," and "hot water heaters." But an apprentice carpenter might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "scaffolding," "strong work ethic," and "reference points."

On average, apprentices carpenter earn a lower salary than plumber helpers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, apprentices carpenter earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $42,204. Whereas plumber helpers have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $44,138.apprentices carpenter earn similar levels of education than plumber helpers in general. They're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Plumber helper vs. Electrical foreman

An electrical foreman is an individual who is responsible for supervising power linesmen and electricians in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical power lines or electrical systems. Electrical foremen conduct periodic inspections at a construction site to ensure that materials and supplies are available. They must enforce safety regulations, rules, and working conditions among the employees due to their hazardous work setting. They also supervise the operation of an electrical repair shop and train personnel in the safe operation of equipment and tools.

An average electrical foreman eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of plumber helpers. The difference in salaries amounts to electrical foremen earning a $7,103 higher average salary than plumber helpers.Using the responsibilities included on plumber helpers and electrical foremen resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "hvac," "service calls," and "commercial buildings.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from plumber helper resumes include skills like "hand tools," "plumbing," "cast iron," and "ladders," whereas an electrical foreman is more likely to list skills in "nec," "osha," "electrical systems," and "work ethic. "

Electrical foremen earn the highest salary when working in the construction industry, where they receive an average salary of $57,314. Comparatively, plumber helpers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $44,138.electrical foremen typically earn similar educational levels compared to plumber helpers. Specifically, they're 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Plumber helper vs. Journeyman

A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.

Journeymen tend to earn a higher pay than plumber helpers by an average of $13,789 per year.While both plumber helpers and journeymen complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like hand tools, plumbing, and hvac, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between plumber helpers and journeymen, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a plumber helper might have more use for skills like "cast iron," "ladders," "pex," and "sewer lines." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of journeymen require skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety procedures," and "osha. "

The construction industry tends to pay the highest salaries for journeymen, with average annual pay of $62,379. Comparatively, the highest plumber helper annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.journeymen reach similar levels of education compared to plumber helpers, in general. The difference is that they're 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of plumber helper

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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