Plumbers and Pipefitters: Schools and Careers

Plumbers And Pipefitters - Career Information

Plumbers and Pipefitters

Plumbers and pipefitters assemble, install, maintain and repair pipe systems utilized to transport water, liquids, air and gases. They install plumbing fixtures such as toilets and bathtubs. They also install refrigeration and heating units. Plumbing and pipefitting are regarded as separate trades, however a number of qualified workers have skills in both fields.

Pipe systems in power plants transport the steam that is utilized to power turbines. Some water systems carry water from reservoirs to water treatment plants and then to commercial, public and residential buildings. Pipes are used in manufacturing facilities to transport material through the production process. Specialized piping is used in computer chip and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Plumbers install and repair plumbing fixtures such as showers, bath tubs, toilets and sinks. Plumbers also install and repair water, waste disposal and gas systems in houses and in industrial and commercial buildings.

Pipelayers lay plastic, clay, cast iron or concrete pipes for sewers, water mains, oil lines, gas lines and drains. They also prepare and grade the trenches for the pipes. After they lay the pipe, they join the pieces together.

Pipefitters install and repair low pressure and high pressure pipe systems utilized for generating electricity, manufacturing and also for heating and cooling buildings. Pipefitters also install the automatic controls that are used to regulate these systems.

Steamfitters install pipe systems that transport liquids or gases under high pressure.

Sprinklerfitters install automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings.

Job Characteristics

Plumbers work in residential and commercial settings. Pipefitters and steamfitters usually work in industrial facilities and power plants. Pipelayers work outdoors. Sprinklerfitters work in buildings.

Plumbers and pipefitters need the ability to interpret blueprints and building plans. They sometimes have to lift heavy pipes, stand for long periods of time and work in cramped positions. This occupation experiences rates of nonfatal injuries and illnesses that are much higher than average. Plumbers, pipefitters, pipelayers and steamfitters often work over 40 hours a week and may be called to deal with emergency situations at night and during the weekends.

Employment Outlook

Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, pipelayers and steamfitters is forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow by 16 percent between 2008 and 2018 which is faster than average for all occupations.

Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are among the highest paid workers in the construction occupations. The median hourly wage in 2008 for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters was $21.94.

Experienced plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters can move up to supervisor positions. Some workers, particularly plumbers, may start their own business. For workers seeking to advance in their careers, being able to speak English and Spanish is highly beneficial.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Most plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are provided training through jointly administered apprenticeships or from community colleges and technical schools. Pipelayers are usually provided with on-the-job training. Apprenticeship programs usually provide the most thorough training for these occupations. Most of these apprenticeship programs are managed jointly by union locals and their affiliated companies or by nonunion contractor organizations.

The Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, and the United Association of Journeymen sponsor apprenticeships. There are other organizations that also offer apprenticeships. Apprenticeship committees usually require candidates to have a high school diploma.

For jointly managed apprenticeships that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, a high school diploma is mandatory since these programs can earn credit from community colleges and in some cases from four year colleges.

Most plumbers, steamfitters and pipefitters receive training via apprenticeships. Some people acquire skills while on-the-job or from classes they take on their own.

Most apprenticeships take 4 to 5 years to complete and include paid on-the-job training and include at least 144 hours of classroom learning each year. Subjects taught in classrooms include drafting and blueprint reading, applied physics and chemistry, mathematics, local plumbing codes, and regulations and safety.

Most states and communities require plumbers to be licensed. Although licensing requirement vary, most localities require workers to have two to five years of experience along with passing an examination that tests their knowledge of local plumbing codes and their knowledge of the trade before they are allowed to work independently. In a few states, pipefitters need to be licensed. A special license is required in several states to work on gas lines.

The Plumbing-Heating Cooling Contractors-National Association in partnership with the GreenPlumbers USA train and certify plumbers all over the nation on energy efficiency and water saving technologies. This certification can help workers trained in this area to acquire more jobs and advance in their careers more quickly.

Resources

• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry
• Mechanical Contractors Association of America
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association

Major Employers

The primary employers are plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractors; mechanical contractors, industrial companies and government agencies.

Schools for Plumbers And Pipefitters are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Plumbers And Pipefitters by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Plumbers And Pipefitters, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.