How to hire a residential plumber

How to hire a residential plumber, step by step

Here's a step-by-step residential plumber hiring guide:

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

What does a residential plumber do?

Post a residential plumber job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a residential plumber, 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

   Hiring the perfect residential plumber 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.

   Here's a comparison of residential plumber salaries for various roles:

   Type of Residential Plumber	Description	Hourly rate
   Residential Plumber	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.	$17-39
   Plumber/Pipefitter	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... Show more	$15-40
   Plumber Helper	A plumber helper is responsible for assisting the head plumber in installing plumbing systems, conducting preventive maintenance, and repairing broken components. Plumber helpers inspect and maintain the stability and condition of all the plumbing equipment to avoid potential hazards and ensure no delays in operations... Show more	$13-31

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • Water Heaters
   • Hand Tools
   • Troubleshoot
   • PVC
   • Caulking
   • HVAC
   • Building Codes
   • Dishwashers
   • Water Systems
   • Pipe Sections
   • OSHA
   • Cast Iron
   • Assess Material

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
   • Install copper and PEX water supply.
   • Assist with HVAC, run water lines, install washer boxes etc
   • Learned skills such as welding, soldering, brazing, blueprint reading, schematic drawings, rigging, and crane signaling.
   • Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using clamps, screws, or soldering, brazing or welding equipment.
   • Contract work-Sears-replacing dishwashers and water heaters.

   More residential plumber duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your residential plumber job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A residential plumber salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a residential plumber in South Dakota may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level residential plumber usually earns less than a senior-level residential plumber. Additionally, a residential plumber with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average residential plumber salary

   $54,486yearly

   $26.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level residential plumber salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 29, 2026

   Average residential plumber salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$75,934	$37
   2	New Jersey	$71,612	$34
   3	Delaware	$66,557	$32
   4	Michigan	$65,417	$31
   5	California	$65,142	$31
   6	Maryland	$64,386	$31
   7	Pennsylvania	$62,570	$30
   8	Wisconsin	$61,733	$30
   9	Ohio	$60,468	$29
   10	Virginia	$55,525	$27
   11	Texas	$53,717	$26
   12	Arizona	$52,864	$25
   13	Kansas	$51,480	$25
   14	North Carolina	$50,381	$24
   15	Florida	$36,245	$17
   16	New Mexico	$35,974	$17

   Average residential plumber salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Horizon Services	$85,775	$41.24	15
   2	JK Realty	$69,627	$33.47
   3	American Standard Brands	$64,630	$31.07
   4	Streamline	$63,892	$30.72	1
   5	American Residential Services	$63,474	$30.52	32
   6	ENCON Heating	$62,453	$30.03	6
   7	Precision Countertops	$60,655	$29.16
   8	Parker and Sons	$54,318	$26.11
   9	A1 Sewer and Drain	$54,318	$26.11	1
   10	Gold Medal, Ltd.	$54,318	$26.11	28
   11	Gem Plumbing & Heating Services	$54,189	$26.05	3
   12	Michael & Son Services	$53,930	$25.93	39
   13	TOTAL Mechanical	$53,543	$25.74
   14	TLC Plumbing	$52,973	$25.47
   15	Benjamin Franklin Plumbing	$52,200	$25.10	372
   16	Air Pro Inc	$52,108	$25.05
   17	Air Comfort Service	$51,837	$24.92
   18	Sobieski Services	$51,608	$24.81	11
   19	Tradesmen International	$51,345	$24.69	255
   20	Binsky	$51,187	$24.61	1

4. Writing a residential plumber job description

   A residential plumber 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a residential plumber job description:

   Residential plumber job description example

   Do you have a CLOG in your current career?
   
   Here at GEM, we provide career opportunities to master your craft, earn competitive wages, and make a real difference in the lives of our customers and our community. We are looking for employees that take pride in their work and see plumbing as both an art and a trade.
   
   While working with us expect to be treated like family - because you are! You will work in an environment where your hard work is rewarded, recognized, and appreciated. Your daily contributions will have a direct effect on the success of the company and your future. If you want to be part of something bigger than just a job -make this career move and apply today!
   
   ResponsibilitiesInstall, repair, and replace various residential Plumbing systems sometimes in confined or high places Provide world-class customer service to our customers on a daily basis Complete paperwork in a timely and efficient manner Maintain clean work area Work closely with all other workers and supervisors while maintaining a polite, professional attitude Arrive on time to all jobs ready to work Attend company meetings as necessary Adhere to all safety and handbook policies
   QualificationsPossess a RI or MA Journeyman or Master Plumber license Prior residential service experience Excellent customer service and communication skills Strong organizational skills Must be able to work on-call and weekend hours
   Benefits & PerksMedical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K Plan with Company MatchUncapped Paid Time OffHoliday PayLong Term DisabilityCompany Paid Life InsuranceFlexible Spending AccountGreat Company CultureFitted and Customized Company UniformsCompany IPhone & IPadCompany Provided Vehicle with Fuel PackageContinuous and extensive training and development Sign On Bonus
   * Must have a Journeyman or Master Plumber license to qualify for the Sign On Bonus
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right residential plumber for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your residential plumber job on Zippia to find and attract quality residential plumber candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit residential plumbers, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 residential plumber

   Once you've selected the best residential plumber candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new residential plumber. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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 residential plumber?