Plumbing

O*NET groups plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters into one occupation, defined as workers who assemble, install, alter and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air or other liquids or gases. The definition includes sprinkler fitters and extends to heating and cooling equipment and mechanical controls.

The trade’s methods of joining pipe are listed in O*NET’s core tasks: couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, and soldering, brazing or welding. Its cutting and forming tasks name saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders and pipe benders. O*NET records 278 tool commodities for the occupation, the second-longest list among the trades in this archive, a reflection of how many pipe materials and joining systems the trade must handle.

O*NET OnLine, the occupational database of the US Department of Labor, reports for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152.00), 510,600 people in 2025, a median wage of $30.67 an hour ($63,800 a year), projected growth for 2025–2035 described as much faster than average (7% or higher), and 42,000 projected job openings.