What does a plumber do?
Plumbers specialize in assembling, detecting issues, maintaining, and repairing pipes and systems that can either involve water or gas distribution in a home or establishment, ensuring that they function efficiently. Additionally, Plumbers can also install various materials such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets, appliances, and more. Among the tasks may revolve around training other plumbers or coordinating with other workers involved on a project, clearing obstructions and handling waste disposal, informing clients about the costs and process of repairs, and building rapport with them.
Plumber responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real plumber resumes:
- Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
- Replace old copper and cast iron plumbing, install PEX water lines, CPVC lines and PVC lines.
- Learned how to read blueprints, use plumbing math and read sub/spec data.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using various techniques, including caulking, soldering, and brazing.
- Install, repair and maintain plumbing systems and components including toilets, urinals, faucets, hose bibs drains, etc.
- Dig trenches for new pipeline.
- Test and repair all sizes of backflow prevention devices.
- Specialize in new construction, repair, remodeling, backflow, and drain cleaning.
- Operate reamers, sewer cameras, pipe cutters, snakes, and other plumbing equipment.
- Perform diagnosis of problem, give estimates for repairs need as well as recommended repairs.
- Climb stairs and ladders, work on scaffolding and work at heights and in confine spaces, when necessary.
- Perform repairs and evaluate meter cans and water lines make of copper, PVC, galvanize and PEX pipe.
- Work with journeyman and master plumbers installing PVC, copper and black iron piping in commercial and residential settings.
- Coordinate with foremen and supervisors to ensure proper PPE protocol and safety regulations are being follow at all times.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing and fittings, using screws, bolts, solder, plastic solvent, and caulking.
Plumber skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Plumbers are proficient in Plumbing, Hand Tools, and Plumbers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Plumbers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plumbing, 23%
Specialized in providing plumbing services including sewer camera inspections, line location for commercial, and industrial applications.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Assist plumber in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Plumbers, 6%
Directed 12 plumbers in three-county area responding entirely too emergency plumbing and water heater repairs.
- Customer Service, 6%
Pipe repairs and replacements Pipeline problem solving Confined space entry Customer service (commercial and residential) Estimating jobs Collections
- Cast Iron, 4%
Determine if cast iron, copper, or CPVC water and PVC drains lines according to specifications plumbing and building codes.
- Pipe Systems, 4%
Followed specifications on installing automatic controls used to regulate pipe systems.
"plumbing," "hand tools," and "plumbers" are among the most common skills that plumbers use at work. You can find even more plumber responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a 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." Plumbers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "braise various types of pipes, and install pex troubleshooting and communication. "
Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform plumber duties is dexterity. Plumbers responsibilities require that "plumbers must be able to maneuver parts and tools precisely, often in tight spaces." Plumbers also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "used hand tools, rubber welder, roof cutters, other tools required for the job, drive sit down forklift. "
Mechanical skills. plumbers are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to plumber responsibilities, because "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters choose from a variety of tools to assemble, maintain, and repair pipe systems." A plumber resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "tested sanitary and storm, domestic water, medical gas, and mechanical pipe systems to ensure they are leak free. "
Troubleshooting skills. A big part of what plumbers do relies on "troubleshooting skills." You can see how essential it is to plumber responsibilities because "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters find, diagnose, and repair problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical plumber tasks: "installed and repaired various plumbing systems, including rough-in, finishing and troubleshooting -installed and repaired pipe systems utilitiesman 3rd class"
The three companies that hire the most plumbers are:
- Roto232 plumbers jobs
- Tradesmen International229 plumbers jobs
- Lee74 plumbers jobs
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Compare different plumbers
Plumber 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between plumbers and mason. For instance, plumber responsibilities require skills such as "plumbing," "hand tools," "plumbers," and "customer service." Whereas a mason is skilled in "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that masons earn slightly differ from plumbers. In particular, masons are 3.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a plumber. Additionally, they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumber vs. Commercial and industrial electrician
A commercial electrician is different from an industrial electrician since both perform in different environments and have distinct training. Commercial electricians are responsible for ensuring that the electrical components and wiring of the structure are working safely and efficiently. They commonly work on basic electrical installations and repairs of particular equipment. On the other hand, industrial electricians have more specialized and extensive education. Their duties require them to have an in-depth knowledge of their field since accuracy is very crucial in their line of work. They may operate issues relating to extraordinary high voltage systems and micro-control currents of electricity.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, plumber responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "plumbing," "plumbers," "customer service," and "cast iron." Meanwhile, a commercial and industrial electrician has duties that require skills in areas such as "electrical systems," "run conduit," "electrical components," and "electrical equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Commercial and industrial electricians may earn a lower salary than plumbers, but commercial and industrial electricians earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $48,295. On the other hand, plumbers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $58,436.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Commercial and industrial electricians tend to reach similar levels of education than plumbers. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumber 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, plumbers are more likely to have skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," "plumbers," and "customer service." But a electrical foreman is more likely to have skills like "nec," "electrical systems," "transformers," and "pet."
Electrical foremen earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $57,314. Plumbers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $58,436.electrical foremen typically earn similar educational levels compared to plumbers. Specifically, they're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumber vs. Carpenter helper
A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.
Types of plumber
Updated January 8, 2025
