How to hire a plumber supervisor

How to hire a plumber supervisor, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The plumber supervisor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect plumber supervisor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of plumber supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Plumber Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Plumber Supervisor	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.	$17-37
   Maintenance Plumber	A 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 Plumber	A 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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • Safety Procedures
   • HVAC
   • Water Heaters
   • Building Codes
   • Hot Water
   • Caulking
   • Snow Removal
   • Brazing
   • Service Calls
   • Mechanical Systems
   • Plastic Solvent
   • Pipe Sections
   • Inventory Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
   • Assemble pipe sections, tubing and fittings using couplings, clamps, screws, cement, plastic solvent, caulking.
   • Install and service steam and hot water boilers, water heater units, pups, motors and rooftop HVAC package units.
   • Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC equipment, replace ballasts, maintain campus water fountains and other campus equipment as needed.
   • Perform plumbing service and new construction tasks while supervising journeyman and apprentice level positions.
   • Compile information on governmental incentive programs relate to the installation of energy or water saving plumbing systems or devices.

   More plumber supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your plumber supervisor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A plumber supervisor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, plumber supervisors' average salary in arkansas is 55% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level plumber supervisors 53% less than senior-level plumber supervisors.
   • Certifications. A plumber supervisor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a plumber supervisor's salary.

   Average plumber supervisor salary

   $54,495yearly

   $26.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level plumber supervisor salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 13, 2026

   Average plumber supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$72,831	$35
   2	California	$67,506	$32
   3	New York	$66,005	$32
   4	Arizona	$58,032	$28
   5	Pennsylvania	$56,029	$27
   6	Colorado	$52,120	$25
   7	Oklahoma	$50,509	$24
   8	Georgia	$50,485	$24
   9	North Carolina	$50,306	$24
   10	Texas	$49,699	$24
   11	Florida	$49,486	$24
   12	South Carolina	$46,856	$23
   13	Tennessee	$46,070	$22
   14	Virginia	$41,832	$20

   Average plumber supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	American Residential Services	$62,481	$30.04	13
   2	Union College	$59,933	$28.81
   3	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority	$57,731	$27.76
   4	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$57,143	$27.47
   5	Morris-Jenkins	$54,287	$26.10
   6	Parker and Sons	$54,136	$26.03
   7	The Peachtree Companies, Inc.	$54,136	$26.03
   8	6AM City	$54,136	$26.03	3
   9	Crossroads Diversified Services	$53,958	$25.94	1
   10	Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning	$53,335	$25.64	18
   11	Aire Serv	$53,319	$25.63	6
   12	Tradesmen International	$53,250	$25.60	118
   13	Unifi Manufacturing	$53,184	$25.57
   14	Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority	$52,260	$25.13
   15	South Dakota Board Of Regents	$42,898	$20.62
   16	SeaWorld	$42,637	$20.50
   17	University of Virginia	$42,280	$20.33	7
   18	University of Pennsylvania	$37,468	$18.01
   19	State of West Virginia	$34,970	$16.81	13

4. Writing a plumber supervisor job description

   A good plumber supervisor 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 supervisor job description:

   Plumber supervisor job description example

   Under general supervision, is responsible for organizing and supervising the activities of subordinates engaged in performing a wide variety of maintenance operations of water supply and distribution lines and facilities. The 7250 Utility Plumber Supervisor I is the first-level supervisor in the Utility Plumber series.
   Supervises subordinate personnel including apprentice and journey-level Utility Plumbers.
   
   The essential duties include but are not limited to the following:
   
   1. Supervises a group of workers engaged in performing various skilled operations normally performed by utility plumbers, welders, carpenters, and others engaged in laying water supply and distribution lines and installing appurtenances, valves, meters and fittings. Insures the adherence to rigid time schedules when water is shut off in order to give maximum service to consumer.
   
   2. Supervises groups of skilled and semi-skilled workers in making repairs to and painting buildings, structures and appurtenances; also to wooden trestles and bridges, road culverts; supervises repair of large diameter pipe line surfaces, including preparation for painting and the application of protective coatings.
   
   3. Responds to complaints or emergencies arising in connection with the use, operation and maintenance of the water distribution system which necessitate prompt observation and determination and action; determines locations of valves related to each situation; makes shutdowns and later restores mains to service with regard to installations of new mains, repairs to existing mains, fire hydrant connections and large domestic fire sprinkler services.
   
   4. Maintains and uses a main pipe and gate valve record book consisting of detailed drawings of the main pipe and gate valve system, coded by various symbols and colors, to denote and identify various important aspects; consults records before operating any valves.
   
   5. Regulates water supply from various distribution reservoirs and in individual pressure districts by operating necessary valves.
   
   6. Makes initial investigations to complaints involving water leaks, poor pressure, no water, holes in sidewalk or street; determines action necessary for making immediate repairs or dispatching service crews to the scene.
   
   7. Keeps accurate records of time and work performed, equipment and materials used or recovered, and exact location of installations.
   
   8. Responds to second and greater alarms of fire to regulate flow of water, as directed.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find plumber supervisors for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your plumber supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit plumber supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with plumber supervisor 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 supervisor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the plumber supervisor position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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 supervisor. 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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