Plumber

A Plumber installs, repairs, and maintains water supply, drainage, and gas piping systems in residential and commercial buildings. Diagnoses leaks and blockages, reads blueprints, and ensures all work meets building codes. Plumbers are essential for public health and safety, ensuring proper sanitation and access to clean water. Ensures public health and safety by providing access to clean water, safe disposal of waste, and reliable gas supply. Prevents property damage and maintains functional living and working environments.

A Plumber earns a median of $65,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $45,000 to $90,000.

To become a Plumber, high school diploma or equivalent, followed by a formal apprenticeship and often a journeyman certification. State or local plumbing license.

Plumber roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 78/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Practical, Conscientious, Problem-solver and Composed. Prefers concrete tasks and proven methods, focusing on tangible results rather than abstract concepts. On interests, Plumber maps to a RCI Holland Code profile — people who enjoy hands-on, practical work, solving technical problems, and following established procedures and codes tend to thrive as plumbers.

A Plumber role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic (R) interest in hands-on, practical work and using tools to build or fix things. High Conscientiousness (C) is crucial for adhering to strict building codes and ensuring safety. The role offers tangible results and the satisfaction of solving concrete problems for clients.

Plumber roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The work can be physically demanding, requiring lifting, bending, and working in confined spaces. Irregular hours and on-call duties may be required for emergency repairs. Strict adherence to changing building codes and regulations is constant.

Work as a Plumber is mostly mixed-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work, a moderate pace and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 53% of the week is focused deep work.

Core skills for a Plumber include Pipe installation and repair, Diagnostic and troubleshooting, Blueprint reading, Soldering and brazing, Building code compliance and Customer service.

Common entry routes into Plumber roles include Plumbing Apprentice and Pipefitter Helper.

From a Plumber role, common next steps include Master Plumber and Plumbing Contractor; lateral moves include HVAC Technician and Pipe Welder.

The outlook for Plumber roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.

Traitstack rates automation risk for Plumber roles at 14 out of 100, which is low. AI can enhance system diagnostics and compliance checks; however, the complex physical installation, intricate repairs, and critical problem-solving in varied environments are human-centric. AI is most likely to take on interpreting blueprints and optimizing pipe layouts, predicting potential failure points in aging systems and generating compliance checklists for local codes. Diagnosing leaks and blockages using various techniques, installing, repairing, and maintaining pipes and fixtures and working in confined or difficult-to-access spaces stay with people. From reactive fixes to predictive maintenance, with hands-on diagnosis constant. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.