Important Facts About This Occupation
| Required Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Key Skills | Business, troubleshooting, mechanical, physical strength |
| Work Environment | Businesses, factories, homes |
| Similar Occupations | Boilermakers, electricians, HVACR mechanics and installers |
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship programs combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Apprentice programs generally last between four and five years, and apprentices typically earn wages during the program. Local chapters of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA, www.ua.org) offer apprenticeship programs along with other union and non-union organizations. Participants learn about proper tool usage, fabrication, piping methods, blueprint reading, safety procedures, local codes, and basic mathematics. Upon completion of an apprenticeship, most are eligible to become licensed.
Licensing
While requirements vary, most states require plumbers to obtain licenses before they can work independently. Typical requirements include two to five years of experience, and passing an exam covering trade techniques and national or local codes.
Salary and Employment Outlook
The median annual salary earned by plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was reported as $59,880 in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), although individuals just starting off in the field will likely earn less. The BLS reported that the lowest-paid 10% of earners in 2021 took home a median annual wage of $36,700. The employment of plumbers will probably grow at slower than the average rate between 2021 and 2031, with the BLS predicting that job availability will increase by an approximate 2% during the decade.
