Occupation Details
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$43,970.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$79,200.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$97,340.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
29,840
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
36,300
+646 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
3,988
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Acetylene torches
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Air operated grinders
- Air pressure gauges
- Air wire brushes
- Air-acetylene torches
- Allen wrenches
- Alternating current AC welding equipment
- Amp meters
- Angle air grinders
- Augers
- Automatic levels
- Backhoes
- Ball peen hammers
- Bandsaws
- Basket strainer wrenches
- Bench yoke vises
- Bibb seat tools
- Block and tackle equipment
- Bolt cutters
- Box end wrenches
- Brazing equipment
- Butane torches
- Cable saws
- Calipers
- Caulking guns
- Centering head tools
- Chain falls
- Chain tongs
Technology
- AEC Design Group CADPIPE
- Atlas Construction Business Forms
- Autodesk Building Systems
- Bentley Systems AutoPIPE
- Bookkeeping software
- COADE CAESAR II
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Database software
- Drawing and drafting software
- Elite Software HSYM
- Elite Software Plumbing CAD
- Elite Software Spipe
- Elite Software Sprinkler CAD
- Email software
- FastEST software
- Heat loss calculation software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain records, reports, or files
- install household appliances
- install or replace meters, regulators, or related measuring or control devices
- maintain repair records
- negotiate business contracts
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- determine material or tool requirements
- determine material or tool requirements
- adhere to safety procedures
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- lay out piping systems
- lay out piping systems
- measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
- measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
- use basic plumbing techniques
- use basic plumbing techniques
- use hazardous materials information
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use combination welding procedures
- use combination welding procedures
- use building or land use regulations
- use building or land use regulations
- verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
- compute production, construction, or installation specifications
- repair or replace gas, steam, sewer, or water piping or fixtures
- repair or replace gas, steam, sewer, or water piping or fixtures
- maintain or repair work tools or equipment
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- clean equipment or machinery
- operate power driven pumps
- use hand or power tools
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use pipe fitting equipment
- use pipe fitting equipment
- use pressure gauges
- use pressure gauges
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- use braze-welding equipment
- use braze-welding equipment
- solder metal parts or components together
- solder metal parts or components together
- braze metal parts or components together
- braze metal parts or components together
- use soldering equipment
- use soldering equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- plan or organize work
- plan or organize work
- assemble and install pipe sections, fittings, or plumbing fixtures
- assemble and install pipe sections, fittings, or plumbing fixtures
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
- cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- move or fit heavy objects
- move or fit heavy objects
- clean rooms or work areas
- cut, bend, or thread pipe for gas, air, hydraulic, or water lines
- cut, bend, or thread pipe for gas, air, hydraulic, or water lines
- install underground storm, sanitation, or water piping systems
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- pressure test piping system or equipment for leaks
- pressure test piping system or equipment for leaks
- inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
- determine project methods and procedures
- determine project methods and procedures
- understand construction specifications
- understand construction specifications
- identify base metals for welding
- read blueprints
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read specifications
- read tape measure
- read tape measure
- read technical drawings
- read technical drawings
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
- Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
- Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
- Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
- Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
- Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
- Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
- Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
- Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.
- Attach pipes to walls, structures, or fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools, or welding equipment.
- Modify, clean, or maintain pipe systems, units, fittings, or related machines or equipment, using hand or power tools.
- Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
- Keep records of work assignments.
- Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
- Inspect structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions, such as electrical wiring.
- Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.
- Repair or remove and replace system components.
- Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
- Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness.
- Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems.
- Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption.
- Repair hydraulic or air pumps.
- Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
- Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication.
- Operate motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MorePlumbers and Pipe Fitters
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn More