Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Drain Technician
Fire Sprinkler Service Technician
Pipe Welder
Pipefitter
Plumber
Plumbing Installer
Residential Plumber
Service Plumber
Sprinkler Fitter
Steamfitter

What is a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are skilled tradespeople who work on the installation, maintenance, and repair of piping systems in various settings. Plumbers primarily focus on water supply and drainage systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, ensuring that water flows properly and is disposed of safely. Pipefitters, on the other hand, specialize in the installation and maintenance of piping systems that carry gases, chemicals, and other substances, often working in manufacturing and energy sectors. Steamfitters deal specifically with the installation and maintenance of piping systems that carry steam and hot water, which are commonly used in heating systems and power generation. All three professions require technical knowledge and skills related to the analysis of blueprints, adherence to building codes, and the use of various tools and techniques to ensure the safe and efficient operation of plumbing and piping systems.

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Tasks

  • 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.

Technology Skills

  • Accounting software
    • Bookkeeping software
    • Intuit QuickBooks
    • KRS Enterprises Service First!
    • Quicken
  • Analytical or scientific software
    • Bentley Systems AutoPIPE
    • COADE CAESAR II
    • Quote Software QuoteExpress
    • Watter Hammer Software Hytran
  • Computer aided design CAD software
    • AEC Design Group CADPIPE
    • Drawing and drafting software
    • Horizon Engineering Sigma Plumbing Calculator
    • ViziFlow
  • Project management software
    • Estimating software
    • FastEST FastPipe
    • Piping construction costs estimation software
    • Vision InfoSoft Plumbing Bid Manager
  • Data base user interface and query software
    • Database software
    • Insight Direct ServiceCEO
    • PricePoint
    • Wintac Pro

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction

    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

  • Mechanical

    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • Design

    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • Mathematics

    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

  • 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.

Abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Finger Dexterity

    The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

  • Near Vision

    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Deductive Reasoning

    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Manual Dexterity

    The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • Post-secondary certificate
    43 %

    Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    35 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

  • Associate's degree
    9 %

Work Activities

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

    Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

    Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

  • Performing General Physical Activities

    Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Install plumbing or piping.
  • Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.

Work Interests

  • Realistic

    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$38690.0 - $103140.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

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Assessment

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