How To Become A Plumber/Pipefitter: What It Is and Career Path

What is a plumber/pipefitter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

If you want to get a job in trade, consider becoming a plumber/pipe lifter. While this job may require you to get down and dirty, it is often the most lucrative and secure among the trades.

But before you decide, take a look at the common work responsibilities of a plumber/pipe lifter. In general, they are in charge of conducting inspections on piping systems, reading blueprints, installing piping systems, and performing repairs and replacements. Furthermore, the job also entails maintaining accurate maintenance records and educating property owners about pipe system maintenance.

As with most other jobs in trade, you would need to have a post-secondary degree related to piping systems. A post-secondary degree or apprenticeship will provide basic training and hands-on experience. You need to obtain an entry-level job in a plumbing company, construction team, or facility maintenance department.

A plumber/pipe lifter makes an average of $49,000 a year. Surprisingly, the salary for this job can go as high as $66,000 or even more, especially in states like Oregon, Montana, and South Dakota.

ScorePlumber/PipefitterUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,235

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.04%

Asian 1.86%

Black or African American 9.09%

Hispanic or Latino 18.20%

Unknown 4.21%

White 65.61%

Gender

female 2.50%

male 97.50%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a plumber/pipefitter

Explore plumber/pipefitter education requirements

Most common plumber/pipefitter degrees

High School Diploma

42.0 %

Associate

24.4 %

Bachelor's

13.0 %

Start to develop specific plumber/pipefitter skills

Skills	Percentages
Plumbing	18.97%
Hand Tools	8.48%
PVC	5.88%
Ladders	5.74%
HVAC	4.58%

Complete relevant plumber/pipefitter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New plumber/pipefitters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a plumber/pipefitter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plumber/pipefitter resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed plumber/pipefitter usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed plumber/pipefitter in most of states. 26 states require plumber/pipefitters to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	-	-	Certified Master Gas Fitter
Maryland	Specific course required	State exam required	GAS FITTER
Arkansas	Degree required	Both state and third-party exams required	Gas Fitter
Colorado	-	State exam required	Master Plumber
Connecticut	-	State exam required	Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Contractor

Research plumber/pipefitter duties and responsibilities

Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Assemble pipe sections, tubing and fittings, using screws, bolts, soldier, plastic solvent, and caulking.
Used couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, soldering equipment and brazing equipment.
Measure, set and install plumbing fixtures such as sinks, urinals and toilets.

Prepare your plumber/pipefitter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your plumber/pipefitter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a plumber/pipefitter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable plumber/pipefitter resume templates

Build a professional plumber/pipefitter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your plumber/pipefitter resume.