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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Construction and Extraction (47-2152)
Bright Outlook

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.

At a Glance

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns a median of $62,970/yr with +4.5% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP, Microsoft Word.

Median Annual Wage

$62,970/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+4.5%

Annual Openings

44

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (4)

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.5
Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

3.3
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.3
Repairing

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

3.3

Knowledge (6)

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.

4.4
Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

4.3
Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

3.8
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.8
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.

3.6
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.

3.3

Abilities (12)

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.8
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3.6
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.6
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.5
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.5
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.4
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.4
Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

3.4
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.3
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.3
Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

3.3
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3

Technology (5)

Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Intuit QuickBooks

Category: Accounting software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (19)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.0
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.9
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

3.9
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

3.9
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.8
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.8
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.8
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.8
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.6
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

3.5
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.5
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.4
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.4
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

3.4
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.3
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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