Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

Return to Career Journey By clicking the Return to Career Journey button you will be taken back to the start of this journey so you may make different choices and discover new career opportunities.

Plumber Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Plumber work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Plumber. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Plumber click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Structural Construction

Plumber

work indoors

Plumbers plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment and controls. Piping systems may be used to transport water, waste, gases or hot liquids.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Physics; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Construction contractors; Plumbing repair shops and large organizations; Self-employmen.

  • DutiesDetails

    On a typical construction job, plumbers do the roughing in after the frame and roof of a new building are in place.

    Duites include:

    • Read blueprints to figure out where to install plumbing materials.
    • Mark in the building where plumbing connections, sinks, showers, tubs, toilets, etc, must be installed.
    • Cut holes through walls and floors for pipes.
    • Select type and size of pipe required.
    • Measure, cut, and attach pipes together.
    • Assemble and install valves and fittings.
    • Join pipe sections and secure them in position.
    • Test pipe systems for leaks.
    • Install underground water piping systems.
    • Install tubs, sinks, toilets, etc.

    Plumbers may specialize in the types of work they do:

    • Installing water conditioners.
    • Installing plumbing in houses under construction.
    • Installing plumbing in public buildings.
    • Renovating, maintaining and repairing existing plumbing.
    • Installing hydronic heating and chilled water systems.
    • Installing private sewage disposal systems.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Often comfortable conditions for maintenance or repair work.
      • May require a lot of standing.
      • May require working in awkward positions.
      • May require working in cramped spaces.
      • Working with rough metals.
      • Working with power tools and pipe-joining equipment.
    • Outdoors
      • Roughing in plumbing in extreme weather when necessary.
      • Working with rough metals.
      • Working with power tools and pipe-joining equipment.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • Possible overtime required to meet construction deadlines.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • 20 kilograms and heavier.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Physical strength.
    • Able to work for long periods.
    • Flexible.
    • Mechanical ability.
    • Able to work alone or with others.
    • Enjoy a variety of working conditions.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Science 10 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1500 work hours each year.
    • 8 weeks classroom training each year May take exam to earn.
    • Only Plumber apprentices May take the Red Seal exam to work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Supervisory positions:
      • Foreman.
    • Estimators.
    • Self-employed.
    • Most people working in this trade (86%) work in the construction industry.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Industries/Businesses employing people in this trade include:

    • Construction contractors.
    • Plumbing Repair shops.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $28.50 to $37.68 an hour plus benefits (2009 figures). Apprentice plumbers earn at least 50 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 per cent in the second, 70 per cent in the third and 80 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Plumbers occupational group earned on average from $30.09 to $38.16 an hour.

    The mean wage for this group was $33.62 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails