Most people are familiar with plumbers, who come to their home to
unclog a drain or install an appliance. In addition to these activities,
however, pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install,
maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems. For example,
some systems move water to a municipal water treatment plant and then to
residential, commercial, and public buildings. Other systems dispose of
waste, provide gas to stoves and furnaces, or supply air-conditioning.
Pipe systems in powerplants carry the steam that powers huge turbines.
Pipes also are used in manufacturing plants to move material through the
production process. Specialized piping systems are very important in
both pharmaceutical and computer-chip manufacturing.
Although pipelaying, plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting
sometimes are considered a single trade, workers generally specialize in
one of the four areas. Pipelayers lay clay, concrete, plastic, or
cast-iron pipe for drains, sewers, water mains, and oil or gas lines.
Before laying the pipe, pipelayers prepare and grade the trenches either
manually or with machines. Plumbers install and repair the water,
waste disposal, drainage, and gas systems in homes and commercial and
industrial buildings. Plumbers also install plumbing
fixtures—bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets—and appliances such
as dishwashers and water heaters. Pipefitters install and repair
both high- and low-pressure pipe systems used in manufacturing, in the
generation of electricity, and in heating and cooling buildings. They
also install automatic controls that are increasingly being used to
regulate these systems. Some pipefitters specialize in only one type of
system. Steamfitters, for example, install pipe systems that move
liquids or gases under high pressure. Sprinklerfitters install
automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings.
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters use many
different materials and construction techniques, depending on the type
of project. Residential water systems, for example, incorporate copper,
steel, and plastic pipe that can be handled and installed by one or two
workers. Municipal sewerage systems, on the other hand, are made of
large cast-iron pipes; installation normally requires crews of
pipefitters. Despite these differences, all pipelayers,plumbers,
pipefitters, and steamfitters must be able to follow building plans or
blueprints and instructions from supervisors, lay out the job, and work
efficiently with the materials and tools of the trade. Computers often
are used to create blueprints and plan layouts.
When construction plumbers install piping in a house, for example,
they work from blueprints or drawings that show the planned location of
pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. Recently, plumbers have become
more involved in the design process. Their knowledge of codes and the
operation of plumbing systems can cut costs. They first lay out the job
to fit the piping into the structure of the house with the least waste
of material. Then they measure and mark areas in which pipes will be
installed and connected. Construction plumbers also check for
obstructions such as electrical wiring and, if necessary, plan the pipe
installation around the problem.
Sometimes, plumbers have to cut holes in walls, ceilings, and floors
of a house. For some systems, they may hang steel supports from ceiling
joists to hold the pipe in place. To assemble a system, plumbers—using
saws, pipe cutters, and pipe-bending machines—cut and bend lengths of
pipe. They connect lengths of pipe with fittings, using methods that
depend on the type of pipe used. For plastic pipe, plumbers connect the
sections and fittings with adhesives. For copper pipe, they slide a
fitting over the end of the pipe and solder it in place with a torch.
After the piping is in place in the house, plumbers install the
fixtures and appliances and connect the system to the outside water or
sewer lines. Finally, using pressure gauges, they check the system to
ensure that the plumbing works properly.
Because pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
frequently must lift heavy pipes, stand for long periods, and sometimes
work in uncomfortable or cramped positions, they need physical strength
as well as stamina. They also may have to work outdoors in inclement
weather. In addition, they are subject to possible falls from ladders,
cuts from sharp tools, and burns from hot pipes or soldering equipment.
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters engaged in
construction generally work a standard 40-hour week; those involved in
maintaining pipe systems, including those who provide maintenance
services under contract, may have to work evening or weekend shifts, as
well as be on call. These maintenance workers may spend quite a bit of
time traveling to and from worksites.
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters constitute one
of the largest construction occupations, holding about 550,000 jobs in
2002. About 7 in 10 worked for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning
contractors engaged in new construction, repair, modernization, or
maintenance work. Others did maintenance work for a variety of
industrial, commercial, and government employers. For example,
pipefitters were employed as maintenance personnel in the petroleum and
chemical industries, in which manufacturing operations require the
moving of liquids and gases through pipes. About 1 of every 10
pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was self-employed.
One in three pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters belong
to a union.
Jobs for pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are
distributed across the country in about the same proportion as the
general population.
Virtually all pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
undergo some type of apprenticeship training. Many apprenticeship
programs are administered by local union-management committees made up
of members of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of
the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada,
and local employers who are members of either the Mechanical Contractors
Association of America, the National Association of
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, or the National Fire Sprinkler
Association.
Nonunion training and apprenticeship programs are administered by
local chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors, the National
Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, the American Fire
Sprinkler Association, or the Home Builders Institute of the National
Association of Home Builders.
Apprenticeships—both union and nonunion—consist of 4 or 5 years
of on-the-job training, in addition to at least 144 hours per year of
related classroom instruction. Classroom subjects include drafting and
blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics and chemistry, safety,
and local plumbing codes and regulations. On the job, apprentices first
learn basic skills, such as identifying grades and types of pipe, using
the tools of the trade, and safely unloading materials. As apprentices
gain experience, they learn how to work with various types of pipe and
how to install different piping systems and plumbing fixtures.
Apprenticeship gives trainees a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the
trade. Although most pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
are trained through apprenticeship, some still learn their skills
informally on the job.
Applicants for union or nonunion apprentice jobs must be at least 18
years old and in good physical condition. Apprenticeship committees may
require applicants to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Armed Forces training in pipelaying, plumbing, and pipefitting is
considered very good preparation. In fact, persons with this background
may be given credit for previous experience when entering a civilian
apprenticeship program. Secondary or postsecondary courses in shop,
plumbing, general mathematics, drafting, blueprint reading, computers,
and physics also are good preparation.
Although there are no uniform national licensing requirements, most
communities require plumbers to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary
from area to area, but most localities require workers to pass an
examination that tests their knowledge of the trade and of local
plumbing codes.
With additional training, some pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters,
and steamfitters become supervisors for mechanical and plumbing
contractors. Others, especially plumbers, go into business for
themselves, often starting as a self-employed plumber working from home.
Some eventually become owners of businesses employing many workers and
may spend most of their time as managers rather than as plumbers. Others
move into closely related areas such as construction management or
building inspection.
Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, as demand for
skilled pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is expected
to outpace the supply of workers trained in this craft. Many potential
workers may prefer work that is less strenuous and has more comfortable
working conditions.
Employment of pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is
expected to grow about as fast
as the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Demand for
plumbers will stem from building renovation, including the increasing
installation of sprinkler systems; repair and maintenance of existing
residential systems; and maintenance activities for places having
extensive systems of pipes, such as powerplants, water and wastewater
treatment plants, pipelines, office buildings, and factories. The
enforcement of laws pertaining to the certification requirements of
workers on jobsites will create additional opportunities and demand for
skilled workers. However, the number of new jobs will be limited by the
growing use of plastic pipe and fittings, which are much easier to
install and repair than other types, and by increasingly efficient
sprinkler systems. In addition to new positions resulting from
employment growth, many jobs will become available each year because of
the need to replace experienced workers who retire or leave the
occupation for other reasons.
Traditionally, many organizations with extensive pipe systems have
employed their own plumbers or pipefitters to maintain equipment and
keep systems running smoothly. But, to reduce labor costs, many of these
firms no longer employ a full-time, in-house plumber or pipefitter.
Instead, when they need a plumber, they rely on workers provided under
service contracts by plumbing and pipefitting contractors.
Construction projects provide only temporary employment. So, when a
project ends, pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
working on the project may experience bouts of unemployment. Because
construction activity varies from area to area, job openings, as well as
apprenticeship opportunities, fluctuate with local economic conditions.
However, employment of pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and
steamfitters generally is less sensitive to changes in economic
conditions than is employment of some other construction trades. Even
when construction activity declines, maintenance, rehabilitation, and
replacement of existing piping systems, as well as the increasing
installation of fire sprinkler systems, provide many jobs for pipelayers,
plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are among the
highest paid construction occupations. In 2002, median hourly earnings
of pipelayers were $13.70. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.96
and $18.43. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.20, and the
highest 10 percent earned more than $24.31. Also in 2002, median hourly
earnings of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters were $19.31. The
middle 50 percent earned between $14.68 and $25.87. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $11.23, and the highest 10 percent earned more
than $32.27. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the
largest numbers of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in 2002 are
shown below.
Nonresidential building construction
$19.65
Building equipment contractors
19.52
Utility system construction
17.81
Ship and boat building
16.62
Local government
16.21
Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid
to experienced pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Wages increase periodically as skills improve. After an initial waiting
period, apprentices receive the same benefits as experienced pipelayers,
plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Many pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are members
of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing
and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your
convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
For information about apprenticeships or work opportunities in
pipelaying, plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting, contact local
plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors; a local or State
chapter of the National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling
Contractors; a local chapter of the Mechanical Contractors Association;
a local chapter of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices
of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and
Canada; or the nearest office of your State employment service or
apprenticeship agency.
For information about apprenticeship opportunities for pipelayers,
plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, contact:
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing
and Pipefitting Industry, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW., Washington, DC
20001. Internet: http://www.ua.org
For more information about training programs for pipelayers,
plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, contact:
Associated Builders and Contractors, Workforce Development
Department, 4250 North Fairfax Dr., 9th Floor, Arlington, VA 22203.
National Association of Home Builders, 1201 15th St. NW.,
Washington, DC 20005. Internet: http://www.nahb.org
Home Builders Institute, 1201 15th St., NW., Washington,
DC 20005. Internet: http://www.hbi.org
For general information about the work of pipelayers, plumbers, and
pipefitters, contact:
Mechanical Contractors Association of America, 1385 Piccard Dr.,
Rockville, MD 20850. Internet: http://www.mcaa.org
National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors,
180 S. Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22040. Internet: http://www.phccweb.org
For general information about the work of sprinklerfitters, contact:
American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc., 9696 Skillman St.
Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243-8264. Internet: http://www.firesprinkler.org
National Fire Sprinkler Association, P.O. Box 1000, Patterson,
NY 12563. Internet: http://www.nfsa.org
There are more than 500 occupations registered by the U.S.
Department of Labor's National Apprenticeship system. For more
information on the Labor Department's registered apprenticeship system
and links to State apprenticeship programs, check their website: http://www.doleta.gov.
Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2004-05 Edition,
Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/
ocos211.htm
