What does a plumbing mechanic do?
Plumbing mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real plumbing mechanic resumes:
- Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
- Install cast iron, copper, PVC and black pipes.
- Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, and appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, and refrigeratorboxes.
- Connect copper pipe using solder and silver brazing.
- Work on groundwork with PVC pipes and acid waste pipes.
- Install boilers, mechanical equipment, HVAC units, and trouble shoot equipment.
- Install kitchen appliances including gas stoves, dishwashers, washers/dryers, ice makers, etc.
- Measure, cut, and join various types of pipe and fittings using brazing and soldering techniques.
- Partner with shop foreman in ordering and maintaining plumbing and mechanical supply inventory.
- Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
- Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
Plumbing mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Plumbing Mechanics are proficient in Plumbing, Hand Tools, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Plumbing Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plumbing, 26%
Received letter of recommendation by company Vice President, recognized as quality plumbing mechanic.
- Hand Tools, 8%
Operated large and small hand tools, power tools, and machinery.
- HVAC, 6%
Inspect and maintain upkeep of air conditioning units and HVAC systems.
- Brazing, 4%
Work performed in the following areas: Backflow Brazing Cross Connection Gasket Join Gluing Pipe Cutting Pipe Joining Piping Soldering
- Building Codes, 4%
Drive compliance with building codes, direct construction employees and assess completed work.
- PVC, 4%
Worked on groundwork with PVC pipes and acid waste pipes.
Most plumbing mechanics use their skills in "plumbing," "hand tools," and "hvac" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential plumbing mechanic responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a plumbing mechanic to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "plumbers must be able to direct workers, bid on jobs, and plan work schedules." Plumbing mechanics often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "conducted weekly production and operations plumbing sub contractor meetings, which facilitated stronger communication and the ability to resolve critical issues. "
Dexterity. Many plumbing mechanic duties rely on dexterity. "plumbers must be able to maneuver parts and tools precisely, often in tight spaces.," so a plumbing mechanic will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways plumbing mechanic responsibilities rely on dexterity: "operated front end loader, back-hoe, sky lifts and all hand tools. "
Mechanical skills. plumbing mechanics are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to plumbing mechanic responsibilities, because "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters choose from a variety of tools to assemble, maintain, and repair pipe systems." A plumbing mechanic resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "installed boilers, mechanical equipment, hvac units, and trouble shot equipment. "
Physical strength. For certain plumbing mechanic responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a plumbing mechanic rely on this skill, as "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters must be able to lift and move heavy tools and materials." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what plumbing mechanics do: "provided physical and technical assistance for hvac technicians. "
Troubleshooting skills. A commonly-found skill in plumbing mechanic job descriptions, "troubleshooting skills" is essential to what plumbing mechanics do. Plumbing mechanic responsibilities rely on this skill because "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters find, diagnose, and repair problems." You can also see how plumbing mechanic duties rely on troubleshooting skills in this resume example: "performed many residential and commercial plumbing and heating troubleshooting and repairs. "
The three companies that hire the most plumbing mechanics are:
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory4 plumbing mechanics jobs
- Atlantic Constructors3 plumbing mechanics jobs
- ColonialWebb3 plumbing mechanics jobs
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Compare different plumbing mechanics
Plumbing mechanic vs. Water softener installer
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, plumbing mechanic responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "hvac," "brazing," and "building codes." Meanwhile a typical water softener installer has skills in areas such as "customer service," "pipe threaders," "control valves," and "water quality." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Water softener installers tend to reach similar levels of education than plumbing mechanics. In fact, water softener installers are 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Plumbing mechanic vs. Water pipe installer
Each career also uses different skills, according to real plumbing mechanic resumes. While plumbing mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "hvac," "building codes," "pvc," and "sewer lines," water pipe installers use skills like "pulleys," "pickup trucks," "dig," and "pipe threaders."
Water pipe installers earn similar levels of education than plumbing mechanics in general. They're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumbing mechanic vs. Fire control system installer
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, plumbing mechanics are more likely to have skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," "brazing," and "building codes." But a fire control system installer is more likely to have skills like "cctv," "jacks," "tms," and "control systems."
When it comes to education, fire control system installers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to plumbing mechanics. In fact, they're 6.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Plumbing mechanic vs. Drain cleaner, plumber
Even though a few skill sets overlap between plumbing mechanics and drain cleaners, plumber, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a plumbing mechanic might have more use for skills like "hand tools," "hvac," "brazing," and "building codes." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of drain cleaners, plumber require skills like "clean outs," "garbage disposals," "cdl," and "service contracts. "
Drain cleaners, plumber reach similar levels of education compared to plumbing mechanics, in general. The difference is that they're 3.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of plumbing mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
