Plumbers fix piping systems and identify the source of leaks and blockages in residential, corporate and industrial settings. As a plumber, you can help people out and make a pretty good income too!

Occupation
Plumber

Industry
Construction

Median Wages (2008)
$21.94 hourly
$45,640 annually

Employment Trends
This job is growing at a normal rate, between 7 and 13 percent. There are 157,000 new jobs

Typical Work Activities

• Handle, cut, bend pipe to specific angles.
• Use hand tools, power tools, or machines such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, and pipe-bending machines.
• Study building and home layouts to determine appropriate materials and equipment.
• Identify leaks in pipe installations, connections, passage holes, and fixtures.
• Assemble pipes, tubing, and fittings.

Work Styles

• Analyze information from different sources (e.g. building plans of house, piping systems, etc).
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Using up-to-date, technical knowledge to figure out solutions to problems.

Examples of Work Locations

• Individual homes
• Office buildings
• Municipal buildings

Stepping Stone Position
There is one recognized apprenticeship opportunity with this position: Plumber. For more information on this apprenticeship, visit the State Apprenticeship Information. For general internship information, go to the Office of Apprenticeship.