Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Architecture and ConstructionO*NET 47-2152.00United States
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems.
- Median annual earnings
- $61,592
- Projected change
- +8%
- Typical education
- Certificate
- Employment
- 538.14K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
43.3% of the workforce
Growing to 580.97K by 2035
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ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
- Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
- Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
- Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
- Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
- Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
- Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
- Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
- Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
- Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
- Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
- Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
- Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
- Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.
- Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
- Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
- Keep records of work assignments.
- Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
- Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring.
- Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.
- Repair or remove and replace system components.
- Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
- Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $40,652
- 25th percentile
- $47,655
- 50th percentile
- $61,592
- 75th percentile
- $84,338
- 90th percentile
- $112,365
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $61,592 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+8%faster than average
2025538,144 jobs
2035 projected580,966 jobs
42,822 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Certificate
- 43.3%
- High school diploma or less
- 42.8%
- Associate degree
- 9.3%
- Some college
- 4.6%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Installation
- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Plumbers7,136 postings
- 02Pipefitters4,843 postings
- 03Journeyman Plumbers3,331 postings
- 04Plumbing Technicians2,340 postings
- 05Plumbing Service Technicians1,909 postings
- 06Licensed Plumbers1,545 postings
- 07Service Plumbers1,538 postings
- 08Fire Sprinkler Technicians1,377 postings
- 09Plumbing Apprentices1,194 postings
- 10Commercial Plumbers1,137 postings
- 11Plumbing Installers1,062 postings
- 12Fire Sprinkler Fitters846 postings
- 13Residential Service Plumbers825 postings
- 14Master Plumbers811 postings
- 15Lead Plumbers680 postings
- 16Residential Plumbers599 postings
- 17Licensed Journeyman Plumbers472 postings
- 18Pipefitter Journeymen461 postings
- 19Plumber Helpers446 postings
- 20Journeyman Pipe Fitters408 postings
Top employers
- 01Aerotek1,808 postings
- 02GPAC729 postings
- 03Tradesmen International520 postings
- 04CCS Construction377 postings
- 05Ars/Rescue Rooter299 postings
- 06Ars Corporation Ltd276 postings
- 07Brown & Root Industrial Services255 postings
- 08Volarify236 postings
- 09Impact Fire Services234 postings
- 10Service Experts Heating And Air Conditioning232 postings
- 11Brown & Root196 postings
- 12Summit Fire And Security176 postings
- 13TIC168 postings
- 14TIC - The Industrial Company168 postings
- 15Roto Rooter Services Company159 postings
- 16Leaf At Home LTD157 postings
- 17R T Moore157 postings
- 18Impact Fire Limited154 postings
- 19Austin Industrial143 postings
- 20MasTec143 postings
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