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.
Plumber/pipefitter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real plumber/pipefitter resumes:
- 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.
- Gain experience with HVAC installation and maintenance.
- Fabricate ang TIG weld brackets and supports.
- Perform various welding duties including SMAW and orbital welding.
- Perform various MIG welding jobs using carbon and stainless steel.
- Weld pipes using the MIG process as well as MIG machines.
- Utilize specialized equipment, such as fall-tech gear and TIG machines.
- Install and repair PVC and PEX lines for waste and water in a residence.
- Perform various SMAW welding jobs using carbon and stainless steel on pipe and structural.
- Perform work in confine spaces and climb ladders to perform duties relate to work assignments.
Plumber/pipefitter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Plumber/Pipefitters are proficient in Plumbing, Hand Tools, and PVC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Plumber/Pipefitters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plumbing, 19%
Sub-contracted with Carolina Construction for plumbing, to construct several daycare facilities on board military installation.
- Hand Tools, 8%
Fitted and assisted in fitting valves, couplings and assemblies to tanks, pumps and systems, using hand tools.
- PVC, 6%
Leak repair in piping and faucets and all other types of equipment and worked with PVC piping.
- Ladders, 6%
Operated hangers, sky and boom lifts, electric chain falls, ladders and tools.
- HVAC, 5%
Worked with boiler systems, cooling towers, and piping into HVAC units on industrial and commercial work sites.
- Hot Water, 4%
Service and installation of various high/low pressure steam systems and boilers, high/low temperature hot water heating systems and boilers.
Common skills that a plumber/pipefitter uses to do their job include "plumbing," "hand tools," and "pvc." You can find details on the most important plumber/pipefitter responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a plumber/pipefitter to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what plumber/pipefitters do because "plumbers must be able to direct workers, bid on jobs, and plan work schedules." Additionally, a plumber/pipefitter resume shows how plumber/pipefitters use communication skills: "demonstrate strong customer service and communication skills along with mechanical aptitude. "
Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform plumber/pipefitter duties is dexterity. Plumber/pipefitters responsibilities require that "plumbers must be able to maneuver parts and tools precisely, often in tight spaces." Plumber/pipefitters also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "anchor pad eyes in overhead structure in accordance with osha regulations for heavy lift prefab pipe placement and installation. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for plumber/pipefitters to perform their duties. For an example of how plumber/pipefitter 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/pipefitter: "test mechanical and plumbing systems before operation. ".
Troubleshooting skills. For certain plumber/pipefitter responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of a plumber/pipefitter 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/pipefitters do: "design and fabricate piping support systems troubleshooting pipe systems and automated control systems. "
The three companies that hire the most plumber/pipefitters are:
- Aerotek17 plumber/pipefitters jobs
- Tradesmen International13 plumber/pipefitters jobs
- PeopleReady12 plumber/pipefitters jobs
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Compare different plumber/pipefitters
Plumber/pipefitter vs. Water softener installer
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between plumber/pipefitters and water softener installer. For instance, plumber/pipefitter responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "ladders," "hvac," and "hot water." Whereas a water softener installer is skilled in "customer service," "control valves," "water quality," and "certifications." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, water softener installers reach similar levels of education than plumber/pipefitters. Water softener installers are 4.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Plumber/pipefitter vs. Fire control system installer
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, plumber/pipefitter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," "pvc," and "ladders." Meanwhile, a fire control system installer has duties that require skills in areas such as "cctv," "jacks," "tms," and "control systems." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, fire control system installers achieve higher levels of education than plumber/pipefitters. They're 5.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumber/pipefitter vs. Drain technician
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, plumber/pipefitters are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "hot water," and "stainless steel." But a drain technician is more likely to have skills like "cdl," "customer service," "customer training," and "snakes."
Most drain technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to plumber/pipefitters. For example, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumber/pipefitter vs. Drain cleaner, plumber
Types of plumber/pipefitter
Updated January 8, 2025
