How to hire a plumbing contractor

How to hire a plumbing contractor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step plumbing contractor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a plumbing contractor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new plumbing contractor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a plumbing contractor job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a plumbing contractor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A plumbing contractor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, plumbing contractors 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of plumbing contractors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Plumbing Contractor	Description	Hourly rate
   Plumbing Contractor		$23-50
   Crew Leader	Crew leaders are restaurant workers who act as the team leader of the restaurant's crew. They are usually tenured employees with leadership skills who are respected by the team... Show more	$12-24
   Crew Foreman	A crew foreman coordinates the daily activities in a construction site to ensure that operations adhere to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards. They serve as the point of contact for supervisors, clients, and construction workers... Show more	$19-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • PVC
   • Water Heaters
   • PEX
   • General Contractors
   • HVAC
   • Dishwashers
   • Commercial Buildings
   • Repair Pipes
   • Service Calls
   • Water Systems
   • Building Codes
   • Urinals
   • Residential Homes

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Recruit, manage, train for sales & installation of Comcast services.
   • Repair circulating pumps, leaks, broken pipes, HVAC heat return and main water lines.
   • Work on trade-specific HVAC improvement-relate commercial projects.
   • Shadow experienced plumbers to assist with installation and removal of defective plumbing fixtures.
   • Consult and design commercial and residential roofing systems to adhere to the changing environmental conditions in California.
   • Perform building rough-in according to specifications.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, plumbing contractors' average salary in mississippi is 46% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level plumbing contractors 55% less than senior-level plumbing contractors.
   • Certifications. A plumbing contractor 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 plumbing contractor's salary.

   Average plumbing contractor salary

   $72,166yearly

   $34.70 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level plumbing contractor salary

   $48,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a plumbing contractor job description

   A plumbing contractor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a plumbing contractor job description:

   Plumbing contractor job description example

   Kitchen Installer
   Compensation: $75,000 to $150,000 Annually
   Type: General Contractor

   We are the largest millwork installation company in the U.S. and have a proven track record of stability and year over year growth.
   
   The Perks

   • Consistent timely payout
   • Unlimited growth potential
   • Consistent workflow with NO additional marketing or advertising burden
   • Pay-For-Performance
   • Access to and training on proprietary technology to help manage your installation business
   • Partnership with a financially sound and reputable corporate partner

   Key Activities

   • Install kitchens at residential job sites in a time-efficient and quality-centered manner
   • Effectively interact with homeowners during measure and/or install process. (Inform, resolve concerns and solve problems)
   • Prioritize/schedule and complete work activity according to business needs
   • Adhere to company standards and procedures

   Requirements

   • Must be able to pass a detailed background investigation.
   • Minimum of 5 years' experience installing kitchens and/or trim carpentry is preferred.
   • Vehicle, trailer, or some way to transport products to job sites.
   • Must provide own tools- IE: trim carpentry/kitchen installation tools.
   • Access to a smart phone and/or tablet (a plus), as well as a computer with an internet connection.
   • EPA or State RRP Certified (Lead Safe Work Practices). We can assist in obtaining certification if necessary.
   • Licensed and Insured (according to local/state requirements)

   Serious Inquiries only.

   We welcome any size company from a sole proprietor to a large established installation company.

   All replies should include email address, phone number, and experience you have in this field.

   Contractors are paid on a percentage basis, by job type.

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find plumbing contractors 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 plumbing contractor job on Zippia to find and recruit plumbing contractor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit plumbing contractors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 plumbing contractor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the plumbing contractor 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.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new plumbing contractor. 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a plumbing contractor?