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Career Details

47-2152.00 - 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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
425,000
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
474,100
Estimate
Change in Employment
+49,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+11.5%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
  • Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
  • Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
  • 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.
  • Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
  • Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
  • Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, or fixtures such as sinks or toilets, using hand or power tools.
  • Install automatic controls to regulate pipe systems.
  • Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
  • Keep records of work assignments.
  • Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
  • Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
  • Maintain or repair plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, or opening clogged drains.
  • Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
  • Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
  • Anchor steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place.
  • Estimate time, material, or labor costs for use in project plans.
  • Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
  • 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.
  • Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
  • Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
Generic
  • Repair hydraulic or air pumps.
  • Repair or remove and replace system components.
Supplemental
  • Inspect work sites for obstructions or holes that could cause structural weakness.
  • Install fixtures, appliances, or equipment designed to reduce water or energy consumption.
  • Install pipe systems to support alternative energy-fueled systems, such as geothermal heating or cooling systems.
  • 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.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Mechanical
  • 84%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Building and Construction
  • 81%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Design
  • 73%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Mathematics
  • 68%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 English Language
  • 65%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 64%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 63%
    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.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 61%
    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.
 Education and Training
  • 58%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Physics
  • 55%
    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.
 Administration and Management
  • 52%
    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.
 Law and Government
  • 50%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Welding and soldering and brazing accessories
  • Acetylene torches
  • Air-acetylene torches
  • Butane torches
  • Cutting torches
  • Oxyacetylene welding equipment
  • Plasma cutting guides
  • Propane torches
  • Torch cutter guides
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Adjustable slip lock nut wrenches
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Allen wrenches
  • Basin wrenches
  • Basket strainer wrenches
  • Bibb seat tools
  • Box end wrenches
  • Chain wrenches
  • Cleanout plug wrenches
  • Compound leverage wrenches
  • Compression sleeve pullers
  • Crescent wrenches
  • End pipe wrenches
  • Faucet handle pullers
  • Faucet stem and cartridge pullers
  • Flat blade screwdrivers
  • Flat head screwdrivers
  • Four-in-one keys
  • Hex wrenches
  • Hollow core socket wrenches
  • Impact screwdrivers
  • Internal wrenches
  • Jam-proof ratchet threaders
  • Manual ratchet threader sets
  • Monkey wrench sets
  • No hub torque wrenches
  • Offset pipe wrenches
  • One stop wrenches
  • Pedestal sink wrenches
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Pipe extractors
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Plastic nut basin wrenches
  • Pop-up plug wrenches
  • Rapwrenches
  • Ratcheting box wrenches
  • Screwdrivers
  • Seat wrenches
  • Shower valve socket wrenches
  • Shut-off keys
  • Six-step faucet seat wrenches
  • Spud wrenches
  • Stillson wrenches
  • Straight pipe wrenches
  • Strainer wrenches
  • Telescoping basin wrenches
  • Tub drain removers
  • Universal nut wrenches
  • Water heater element removal wrenches
  • Water meter keys
 Compressors
  • Air compressors
 Pneumatic tools
  • Air operated grinders
  • Angle air grinders
  • Jackhammers
  • Pneumatic pipe bevelers
 Pressure measuring and control instruments
  • Air pressure gauges
  • Comprehensive water gauges
  • Heavy duty water pressure gauges
  • Hydrostatic testers
  • Maximum reading water pressure gauges
  • Pit depth gauges
  • Pressure gauges
  • Vacuum gauges
  • Water pressure gauges
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Air wire brushes
  • Cold chisels
  • Pneumatic wire brushes
  • Rasps
  • Single-cut mill saw files
  • Thread repair files
 Welding machinery
  • Alternating current AC welding equipment
  • Direct current DC arc welder
  • Metal inert gas MIG welders
  • Portable welding machines
  • Shielded arc welding tools
  • Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
  • Welders
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Augers
  • Bolt cutters
  • Deburring tools
  • Gasket cutters
  • Hacksaws
  • Hand hacksaws
  • Metal hand saws
  • Mini hacksaws
  • Pipe fabrication shears
  • Power hacksaws
  • Shears
  • Tin snips
  • Utility knives
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Automatic levels
  • Combination squares
  • Dumpy levels
  • Framing squares
  • Laser levels
  • Levels
  • Measuring tapes
  • Pipe flange aligners
  • Plumb bobs
  • Pocket levels
  • Split bubble levels
  • Telescopic inspection mirrors
  • Torpedo levels
  • Two-hole pins
 Earth moving machinery
  • Backhoes
  • Loaders
  • Skip loaders
  • Trenchers
 Forming tools
  • Ball peen hammers
  • Claw hammers
  • Hammers
  • Swaging tools
 Bandsaws and accessories
  • Bandsaws
  • Vertical bandsaws
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Bench chain vises
  • Bench yoke vises
  • Chain tongs
  • Channel lock pliers
  • Diagonal cutting pliers
  • Locking pliers
  • Nylon strap wrenches
  • Pipe vises
  • Pipe welding vises
  • Rubber strap wrenches
  • Slip joint pliers
  • Stands
  • Strap wrenches
  • Tripod vises
  • Tristand chain vises
  • Vise grip pliers
  • Water pump pliers
  • Welding clamps
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Block and tackle equipment
  • Chain falls
  • Forklifts
  • Hydraulic cranes
  • Material-hoisting slings
  • Pipeline jacks
  • Pulleys
  • Tirfors
  • Truck cranes
  • Tuggers
  • Winches
 Metal cutting tools
  • Cable saws
  • Copper cutting machines
  • Metal cutting taps
  • Mini tubing cutters
  • Pipe cutters
  • Polyvinyl chloride PVC cutters
  • Polyvinyl chloride PVC saws
  • Power pipe cutters
  • Ratcheting polyvinyl chloride PVC cutters
  • Soil pipe cutters
  • Spiral ratchet pipe reamers
  • Straight-fluted pipe reamers
  • Tubing cutters
  • Wide roll pipe cutters
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Calipers
  • Laser alignment tools
  • Pipe lasers
  • Quality control QC welders' gauges
 Dispensing tools
  • Caulking guns
  • Oilers
 Marking tools
  • Centering head tools
  • Magnetic circle layout tools
  • Radius markers
 Power tools
  • Circular saws
  • Direct tap machines
  • Flaring tools
  • Heat guns
  • Hydraulic valve turners
  • Impact wrenches
  • Offset grinders
  • Pavement stompers
  • Pedestal grinders
  • Pipe flaring tools
  • Portable grinders
  • Power drills
  • Power hammers
  • Reciprocating saws
  • Right-angle drills
  • Seat dressers
  • Stationary grinders
 Prying and bending tools
  • Crowbars
  • Manual pipe benders
  • Pipe bending tools
  • Pry bars
  • Tube bending springs
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Tablet computers
 Cleaning equipment
  • Drain cleaning cables
  • Hand spinners
  • Heavy duty drain cleaning machines
  • Plungers
  • Power sink machine drain cleaners
  • Power spinners
  • Pressurized water pigs
  • Rodders
  • Root ranger jetter nozzles
  • Sectional drain cleaning machines
  • Sewer tapes
  • Toilet augers
  • Water jetters
 Tool attachments and accessories
  • Drophead dies
  • Hole cutting tools
  • Hole saws
  • Inner/outer reamers
  • Pipe taps
  • Pipe threaders
  • Plastic pipe/conduit die heads
  • Reamers
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Flow gauges
  • Inductive clamps
  • Leak-testing gauges
  • Line locators
  • Magnetic locators
  • Null locators
  • Rebar locators
  • Transit levels
  • Transmitters
  • Ultrasonic leak detectors
 Surveillance and detection equipment
  • Gas leak detection devices
 Ladders and scaffolding
  • Ladders
  • Scaffolding
 Computer printers
  • Laser printers
 Passenger motor vehicles
  • Light pickup trucks
 Metal forming dies and tooling
  • Metal cutting dies
  • Pipe bending mandrels
  • Threading machine die heads
 Pumps
  • Mud pumps
  • Sewage pumps
  • Sump pumps
  • Utility pumps
  • Water pumps
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Non-contact infrared thermometers
 Fluid and gas regulators
  • Pipe freezing kits
  • Water stoppers
 Metal cutting machines
  • Pipe threading machines
  • Power pipe threading machines
  • Receding threaders
  • Three-way pipe threaders
 Soldering machines
  • Soldering equipment
 Metal bending machines
  • Tube crimping tools
 Cameras
  • Video diagnostic tools
 Sampling equipment
  • Water samplers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Industry specific software
  • AEC Design Group CADPIPEHOT
  • Autodesk Building SystemsHOT
  • Bentley Systems AutoPIPE
  • COADE CAESAR II
  • Computer aided design CAD softwareHOT
  • Drawing and drafting softwareHOT
  • Elite Software DPIPE
  • Elite Software FIRE
  • Elite Software HSYM
  • Elite Software Plumbing CADHOT
  • Elite Software Spipe
  • Elite Software Sprinkler CADHOT
  • Heat loss calculation software
  • Horizon Engineering Sigma Plumbing CalculatorHOT
  • Klear Estimator
  • Maintenance management software
  • Pipepro Pipefitting
  • Quote Software QuoteExpress
  • ViziFlowHOT
  • Watter Hammer Software Hytran
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Atlas Construction Business Forms
  • Contractor City Contractor Forms Pack
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • PipingOffice
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Wilhelm Publishing Threshold
  • Word processing software
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Bookkeeping software
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Intuit Quicken
  • Job costing software
  • KRS Enterprises Service First!
 Data management and query software
  • Database software
  • Insight Direct ServiceCEO
  • PricePoint
  • Wintac Pro
 Business function specific software
  • Estimating software
  • FastEST FastPipe
  • FastEST software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Piping construction costs estimation software
  • Vision InfoSoft Plumbing Bid Manager
 Network applications software
  • Internet browser software
 Development software
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASPHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Tidewater Community College