What does a plumbing technician do?
Plumbing technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real plumbing technician resumes:
- Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
- Invoice customer for services render.
- dig ups to expose pipes outside.
- Perform brazing, soldering, pipefitting and welding.
- Operate backhoes to dig up lines and replace.
- Use jetting equipment and augers to unclog drains.
- Gas PVC copper pipe installations; rough-in and finish.
- Complete dry wall repair, painting, and caulking.
- Install and replace wash closets, sinks, and urinals.
- Assemble and install PVC and metal pipes, fixtures and valves.
- Install, test, and repair all sizes of backflow prevention devices.
- Install Goodman HVAC equipment (condensers, ductless heating and A/C units).
- Locate the source of the clogged drain and used a variety of equipment to unclog the drain.
- Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, and appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, etc.
- Cable, jet, snake, run locator and cameras for drains in homes, casinos and other businesses
Plumbing technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Plumbing Technicians 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 Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plumbing, 32%
Performed residential and commercial plumbing and heating maintenance and repairs.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Remove damaged exterior panels, repaired and replaced structural frame members, and sealed leaks, using hand tools.
- HVAC, 7%
Performed service and repair of all related motors to HVAC systems.
- Work Ethic, 6%
Maintain good work ethic, responding to emergency calls seven days a week.
- Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Executed repairs to customer satisfaction, building safety codes and insurance requirements.
- Service Calls, 4%
Service Calls -New Rough-ins/ Residential/ Commercial
"plumbing," "hand tools," and "hvac" are among the most common skills that plumbing technicians use at work. You can find even more plumbing technician responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a plumbing technician to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "plumbers must be able to direct workers, bid on jobs, and plan work schedules." Additionally, a plumbing technician resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "perform drain clraning and plumbing in residential and commercial scenarios while having great customer service, communication and sales skills. "
Dexterity. Many plumbing technician duties rely on dexterity. "plumbers must be able to maneuver parts and tools precisely, often in tight spaces.," so a plumbing technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways plumbing technician responsibilities rely on dexterity: "have maryland hvac card, aerial lifts cards all terrain ect. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of plumbing technicians is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday plumbing technician duties, as "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters choose from a variety of tools to assemble, maintain, and repair pipe systems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "rehabilitate several types of potable, drain and mechanical pipe systems in residential, commercial, industrial and municipal buildings. "
Physical strength. For certain plumbing technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a plumbing technician 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 technicians do: "preformed vo2 max and sub maximal tests, hydrostatic weighing, strength performance tests, and ekg's. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another common skill required for plumbing technician responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." This skill comes up in the duties of plumbing technicians all the time, as "plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters find, diagnose, and repair problems." An excerpt from a real plumbing technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a plumbing technician does: "service technician- performed troubleshooting/emergency annual preventive servicing of residential homes. "
The three companies that hire the most plumbing technicians are:
- Michael & Son Services22 plumbing technicians jobs
- Horizon Services16 plumbing technicians jobs
- HomeServe USA9 plumbing technicians jobs
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Compare different plumbing technicians
Plumbing technician vs. Water softener installer
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. They must have knowledge of repair and skill in maintenance. He/She or she handles installation, prepares needed equipment and machinery, and ensures that they are always in place. A skillful mindset and extensive knowledge in the field is the key.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between plumbing technicians and water softener installer. For instance, plumbing technician responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "hvac," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction." Whereas a water softener installer is skilled in "pipe threaders," "control valves," "water quality," and "certifications." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Water softener installers tend to reach similar levels of education than plumbing technicians. In fact, water softener installers are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Plumbing technician vs. Water pipe installer
Each career also uses different skills, according to real plumbing technician resumes. While plumbing technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "hvac," "work ethic," "customer satisfaction," and "service calls," water pipe installers use skills like "pulleys," "water pumps," "pickup trucks," and "dig."
Water pipe installers earn similar levels of education than plumbing technicians in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumbing technician vs. Drain cleaner, plumber
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a plumbing technician is likely to be skilled in "hand tools," "hvac," "work ethic," and "customer satisfaction," while a typical drain cleaner, plumber is skilled in "troubleshoot," "garbage disposals," "cdl," and "water services."
Most drain cleaners, plumber achieve a similar degree level compared to plumbing technicians. For example, they're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Plumbing technician vs. Maintenance plumber
Even though a few skill sets overlap between plumbing technicians and maintenance plumbers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a plumbing technician might have more use for skills like "work ethic," "customer satisfaction," "service calls," and "sewer lines." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of maintenance plumbers require skills like "water heaters," "hot water," "fall protection," and "light fixtures. "
Maintenance plumbers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $60,837. For comparison, plumbing technicians earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.The average resume of maintenance plumbers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to plumbing technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.5%.Types of plumbing technician
Updated January 8, 2025
