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How to hire a plumber/pipefitter

Plumber/pipefitter hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring plumber/pipefitters in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a plumber/pipefitter is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per plumber/pipefitter on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 190,272 plumber/pipefitters in the US and 11,304 job openings.
  • San Diego, CA, has the highest demand for plumber/pipefitters, with 12 job openings.
  • Phoenix, AZ has the highest concentration of plumber/pipefitters.

How to hire a plumber/pipefitter, step by step

To hire a plumber/pipefitter, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a plumber/pipefitter:

Here's a step-by-step plumber/pipefitter 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/pipefitter job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new plumber/pipefitter
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a plumber/pipefitter do?

Plumbers/pipefitters only need to have a high school diploma or GED, and they tend to enjoy salaries of $51K per year. They must have skills in cutting, welding, blueprints, and tools such as pneumatic drills. They install and repair water and gas piping systems, as well as other related systems such as pipes for chemicals and acids, for homes and businesses.

Learn more about the specifics of what a plumber/pipefitter does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your plumber/pipefitter job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a plumber/pipefitter for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

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

    A plumber/pipefitter's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, plumber/pipefitters from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

    Type of Plumber/PipefitterDescriptionHourly rate
    Plumber/PipefitterPlumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.$15-40
    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
    • Hand Tools
    • PVC
    • Ladders
    • HVAC
    • Hot Water
    • Water Heaters
    • Brazing
    • Stainless Steel
    • Pipe Systems
    • Sewer Lines
    • OSHA
    • Caulking
    • Troubleshoot
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Cut, thread, hammer pipes to specifications using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threads and benders.
    • Install and repair both residential and commercial plumbing fixtures including water heaters and water softeners.
    More plumber/pipefitter duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the plumber/pipefitter job description is a good way to get more applicants. A plumber/pipefitter salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a plumber/pipefitter in South Carolina may be lower than in Oregon, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level plumber/pipefitter. Additionally, a plumber/pipefitter with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average plumber/pipefitter salary

    $53,235yearly

    $25.59 hourly rate

    Entry-level plumber/pipefitter salary
    $33,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 14, 2026

    Average plumber/pipefitter salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$74,266$36
    2Connecticut$72,768$35
    3Rhode Island$61,359$30
    4Michigan$60,019$29
    5Louisiana$56,794$27
    6Illinois$55,472$27
    7Arizona$55,057$26
    8New York$54,834$26
    9Utah$54,195$26
    10Colorado$54,008$26
    11Georgia$52,927$25
    12Missouri$52,386$25
    13Virginia$52,331$25
    14Iowa$50,216$24
    15Texas$50,140$24
    16Florida$48,837$23
    17Pennsylvania$48,116$23
    18Tennessee$47,453$23
    19Indiana$47,449$23
    20New Mexico$42,912$21

    Average plumber/pipefitter salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Merck$85,357$41.04
    2Sandia National Labs$84,629$40.69
    3Eli Lilly and Company$82,370$39.60
    4Clark Construction Group$74,508$35.8230
    5Kohler Co.$73,292$35.241
    6Four Seasons$71,632$34.448
    7Vector Group$69,053$33.20
    8The Walsh Group$65,652$31.5613
    9Ford Motor$65,122$31.3114
    10WestRock$63,524$30.543
    11PC Construction$62,917$30.258
    12Underground Construction$61,875$29.75
    13Anheuser-Busch$61,244$29.44
    14Zachry Group$60,683$29.1719
    15Mears Transportation Group$60,198$28.943
    16Tesla$60,046$28.872
    17Turner Industries$60,024$28.8611
    18Petticoat-Schmitt$59,443$28.58
    19Kodak$58,897$28.322
    20PAE$57,635$27.71
  4. Writing a plumber/pipefitter job description

    A good plumber/pipefitter job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a plumber/pipefitter job description:

    Plumber/pipefitter job description example

    Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) is a leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda – key building blocks for a variety of indispensable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic potash, chlorinated organics, sodium silicates, chlorinated isocyanurates and calcium chloride. OxyChem's market position is among the top three producers in the United States in 2021 for the principal products it manufactures and markets. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

    In a fast-paced industry that demands precision, we create a supportive workplace where the safety and well-being of our employees are paramount. We are committed to rewarding top performers, offering very competitive pay and benefits, and providing tremendous career development opportunities.

    We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Pipefitter with our Chemical Manufacturing Facility located in Wichita, Kansas.

    Essential Job Duties :

    Maintain protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products, as our highest priority.

    Lay out, assemble, install, and maintain pipe systems and pipe support systems.

    Cuts and treads pipe using industrial equipment.

    Work with various types of pipe and fittings including fibercast piping.

    Read, study, and interpret job specification plans, and P&IDs, to gain an understanding of work to be done.

    Must be able to read work orders to see what work has been scheduled.

    Rigs and moves heavy steel and assist crane operator, welders etc.

    Utilize computer systems for completing various job duties, such as ordering parts, completing online training, reviewing email, etc.

    *Qualifications*

    High School Diploma or GED

    A minimum of 3 years as a pipefitter in an industrial environment.

    Must be able to read process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and follow mechanical specifications.

    Able to work overtime, weekends, holidays and call outs as needed to maintain a 24/7 operating plant.

    Ability and willingness to serve as member of Emergency Response Team.

    Ability to read, speak, and write English.

    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

    Valid driver’s license required.

    Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team.

    Must be able to work in confined spaces, work at heights, climb ladders and stairways and work from platforms and in pipe racks.

    Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 lbs, climb ladders and stairs. Walking, bending, stooping is required. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment including the use of an air feed respirator. Must be able to work outside in extreme temperatures. Must be able to respond to visual and audible alarms.

    Additional Desired Qualifications:

    Additional chemical plant or manufacturing experience is preferred.

    Good working knowledge of SAP preferred.

    “Occidental is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.”

  5. Post your job

    To find the right plumber/pipefitter for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with plumber/pipefitters they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit plumber/pipefitters who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your plumber/pipefitter job on Zippia to find and recruit plumber/pipefitter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with plumber/pipefitter candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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/pipefitter

    Once you've selected the best plumber/pipefitter candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new plumber/pipefitter. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  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/pipefitter?

There are different types of costs for hiring plumber/pipefitters. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new plumber/pipefitter employee.

You can expect to pay around $53,235 per year for a plumber/pipefitter, 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/pipefitters in the US typically range between $15 and $40 an hour.

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