Plumber
Plumbers install and repair piping systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They work with water supply lines, waste disposal systems, drainage, and gas piping, reading blueprints and following building codes.
What does a Plumber actually do?
Plumbers install and repair piping systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They work with water supply lines, waste disposal systems, drainage, and gas piping, reading blueprints and following building codes.
Career category: Mechanical
How much does a Plumber make?
National compensation data provides a baseline benchmark. Actual pay varies by geographic location, experience level, overtime hours, and employer type.
Median wage represents the midpoint of national occupational data where half of workers earned more and half earned less.
* Note: Detailed entry-level and experienced percentile data is pending source verification.
How to Train & Qualify as a Plumber
Explore verified training pathways, state licensing requirements, accredited college programs, and official apprenticeship sources.
Typical pathway: 4 to 5 years (8,000 OJT hours) for registered apprenticeship, or 1-year vocational certificate.
Paid on-the-job training in registered apprenticeships. Technical school tuition varies by institution.
Common Career Entry Route
The standard career path is a 4-to-5 year Registered Apprenticeship comprising 8,000 hours of paid field work and ~800 hours of related plumbing code instruction.
Ready to start training as a Plumber?
Explore accredited vocational colleges and technical institutes below to view mapped degree and certificate programs, and request admissions info directly from a specific provider.
Jobs & Apprenticeship Opportunities
Real employer positions and paid earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships in Plumber.
What is this career really like?
Key physical requirements, work conditions, and environment characteristics for this career.
Active on-site work involving physical coordination, standing, and equipment handling.
Work follows established safety practices and protective equipment standards.
Union apprenticeship programs and structured collective agreements are active in this field.
Job outlook & future demand
Projected employment growth published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Projected national occupational growth rate. Regional and local hiring demand may vary by market.
Related trade careers to explore
Similar careers in the Mechanical sector with comparable skills and training pathways.
HVAC Technician
Install, maintain, and troubleshoot heating, cooling, ventilation, and commercial refrigeration equipment.
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Troubleshoot and repair factory production equipment, hydraulic systems, conveyors, and mechanical drives.
Pipefitter
Fabricate, weld, and install high-pressure piping systems for steam, chemicals, and industrial manufacturing.
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