How To Become A

Plumber

What Do Plumbers Do?

Plumbers install and repair water, drainage, gas and other piping systems in kitchens and baths. They frequently examine and replace worn or broken pipes. Master plumbers can be involved in developing blueprints that show the placement of all pipes and fixtures such as bathtubs, toilets, dishwashers and water heaters.

Plumber Hourly Wage

$25.92/hr

Median wage source: BLS

Plumber Skill Set

Problem Solving

Communication

Technologically Savvy

Manual Dexterity

Plumber Working Conditions

Work Independently

Confined Spaces

Multiple Locations

Physically Demanding

How to Become a Plumber

Most plumbers learn the craft as an apprentice, although some also enroll in a technical school.

Things to Keep After High School

Plumber Apprentice: Get paid while you learn. Apprenticeships are offered by unions and private employers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most apprentice programs are four or five years. 

Journeyman Plumber: The next career step is journeyman, working under the supervision of a Master Plumber. Most locations require a journeyman license, which is awarded based on both work hours and passing an exam.  

Master Plumber: A journeyman may choose to advance to a Master Plumber, after meeting a minimum number of on-the-job training hours as a journeyman. Master Plumbers usually own plumbing businesses.