Originally published in April 2023. Last updated November 26, 2024.
Looking to hire a plumber for your plumbing business? You’ll need an accurate plumber job description to attract qualified candidates and grow your team faster.
Feeling overwhelmed by recruiting jargon? Use this post as a guide, or download our free plumbing job description template, to write your next job posting and find the best candidates to grow your team.
Plumber job description example
Pipe Dream Plumbing is hiring an experienced plumber to join our growing team. Reporting to our team’s master plumber, the successful applicant will be responsible for plumbing system planning, installation, repairs, and maintenance for our residential clients.
Job responsibilities:
- Plan and install water systems for new residential builds
- Read, interpret, and follow drawings and blueprints when laying out plumbing systems
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair water supply and drainage systems
- Install sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and water heaters
- Maintain, repair, and renovate plumbing systems in existing homes, including pipes, valves, fittings, and fixtures
- Locate and mark positions for pipe connections, passage holes, and fixtures in walls and floors
- Select the required pipe sizes and types
- Measure, cut, thread, bend, and clamp pipes using hand and power tools
- Join and secure pipes, tubes, fittings, and fixtures with clamps, bolts, screws, cement, or soldering
- Test piping systems for leaks with air pressure and water pressure gauges
- Cut openings in walls and floors to create space for pipes and pipe fittings
- Perform light painting, plastering, flooring, and ceiling repairs as needed
- Cut, assemble, install, repair, and replace pipe sections and tubes
- Install and repair large appliances (washing machines, fridges with water lines)
- Respond to and address call-outs and emergencies
- Prepare bids, cost estimates, and project budgets
- Work well with customers, contractors, and other trades
- Accurately log billable hours using a time-tracking app
- Manage job details, review daily tasks, and follow up with customers using our plumbing app
Qualifications and skills:
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid [STATE] plumbing license
- Trade school diploma or completion of a plumbing apprenticeship program
- 2+ years of experience as a plumbing contractor
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation
- Able to use hand and power tools
- Able to read and understand plumbing diagrams, drawings, and blueprints
- Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and convert measurements
- Able to sit, stand, kneel, lift, carry 50+ pounds, and work in tight spaces as needed
- Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
- Strong work ethic and positive attitude
- Good understanding of plumbing codes, safety regulations, and best practices
- Can work independently and as part of a team environment
- Can communicate well (multiple languages are a plus)
- Friendly with good interpersonal skills
- Experience using scheduling apps or routing apps preferred (training can be provided)
Working hours:
- Full-time, year-round
- Mon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm
- One on-call weekend overtime shift per month
Compensation:
- $22–27/hour (based on experience)
- Time and a half for on-call overtime shifts
- Signing bonus and year-round bonus opportunities
- Health insurance, including dental and vision
- Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
- 401(k) matching and life insurance
This position will require a background check upon hire.
About Pipe Dream Plumbing*
Pipe Dream Plumbing is a locally owned and operated team of residential plumbers with over 25 years of experience in the Seattle area. We specialize in plumbing installation for new construction, residential repairs and maintenance, and 24/7/365 emergency plumbing service.
Our work environment is fast-paced and performance-driven, backed by a strong employee bonus program that rewards excellence in customer service and safety compliance. If you’re looking to build a long-term career where you can thrive, Pipe Dream Plumbing is the place for you.
To apply for this position, send your resume to [company email address].
*Update all business sections and descriptions with your custom business details.
Now that you have an idea of what a captivating job description looks like, let’s cover a few other details you’ll need to recruit new hires easily.
What to include in your plumber job description:
1. Role summary
When you’re writing the description of a plumber role, start with a role summary. In this section, you’ll provide a brief overview of the position you’re hiring for, including details like:
- Position title
- Position supervisor
- Seniority level
- General responsibilities
Check out this example:
Plumber, Full Time
Pipe Dream Plumbing is hiring an experienced plumber to join our growing team. Reporting to our team’s master plumber, the successful applicant will be responsible for plumbing system planning, installation, repairs, and maintenance for our residential clients.
Outline what the role involves and what kind of person you’re looking for. A clear role summary will encourage qualified candidates to apply, and it may automatically eliminate a candidate who’s not the right fit.
Pro Tip: Certain plumber titles or levels are legally permitted to perform certain tasks—and prohibited from doing others. Make sure you’re hiring for the right level, based on the tasks you need completed and the tasks allowed by plumbing licenses in your state.
2. Job responsibilities
Write a detailed list of plumber responsibilities and daily tasks. When writing this section, ask yourself the following questions:
- What types of clients does your plumbing business normally work with (e.g., residential, commercial)?
- What kind of plumbing equipment will they need to operate (e.g., borescope, soldering torch, cordless drill)?
- What plumbing duties and tasks do your plumbers typically complete (e.g., installation, inspection, maintenance, emergency services, and/or repairs for drainage systems and water supply systems)
- Are there any other non-plumbing tasks that this person will be responsible for (e.g., customer service, bidding on plumbing jobs, scheduling work, invoicing clients)?
Sample job responsibilities:
- Plan and install water systems for new residential builds
- Read, interpret, and follow drawings and blueprints when laying out plumbing systems
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair water supply and drainage systems
- Install sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and water heaters
- Maintain, repair, and renovate plumbing systems in existing homes, including pipes, valves, fittings, and fixtures
- Locate and mark positions for pipe connections, passage holes, and fixtures in walls and floors
- Select the required pipe sizes and types
- Measure, cut, thread, bend, and clamp pipes using hand and power tools
- Join and secure pipes, tubes, fittings, and fixtures with clamps, bolts, screws, cement, or soldering
- Test piping systems for leaks with air pressure and water pressure gauges
- Cut openings in walls and floors to create space for pipes and pipe fittings
- Perform light painting, plastering, flooring, and ceiling repairs as needed
- Cut, assemble, install, repair, and replace pipe sections and tubes
- Install and repair large appliances (washing machines, fridges with water lines)
- Respond to and address call-outs and emergencies
- Prepare bids, cost estimates, and project budgets
- Work well with customers, contractors, and other trades
- Accurately log billable hours using a time-tracking app
- Manage job details, review daily tasks, and follow up with customers using our plumbing app
Pro Tip: Want to pull together the details of your job description faster? You can use Jobber Copilot, your built-in AI assistant and business coach to help. Simply prompt Jobber Copilot to write a job description containing your prerequisites and customized info, and you’re all set.
3. Qualifications and skills
Include any required qualifications applicants must have. For example, a journeyman plumber needs a certain level of experience and a journeyman plumber’s license before they can legally provide services.
Here are a few plumber job requirements and qualifications to include:
- Years and level of plumbing experience (e.g., apprentice, journeyman, master plumber)
- Plumbing licensing requirements in your state or county
- Successful completion of (or enrollment in) a plumbing apprenticeship program
- Physical demands of the job (e.g., weight lifting capacity)
- Soft skill requirements (e.g., customer service, communication, problem-solving)
- Plumbing tools used on the job (e.g., power tools, hand tools, and testing equipment)
- Valid driver’s license and clean driver’s record, if required
Pro tip: To see what licensing your plumbing team needs to go to work, Google [your state + plumber licensing requirements] or read our plumber licensing guide.
Sample qualifications and skills:
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid plumbing license in [STATE]
- Trade school diploma or completion of a plumbing apprenticeship program
- 2+ years of experience as a plumbing contractor
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation
- Able to use hand and power tools
- Able to read and understand plumbing diagrams, drawings, and blueprints
- Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and convert measurements
- Able to sit, stand, kneel, lift, carry 50+ pounds, and work in tight spaces as needed
- Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills
- Strong work ethic and positive attitude
- Good understanding of plumbing codes, safety regulations, and best practices
- Can work independently and as part of a team environment
- Can communicate well (multiple languages are a plus)
- Friendly with good interpersonal skills
- Experience using scheduling apps or routing apps preferred (training can be provided)
Optional skills aren’t required, but they can help you narrow down a list of well-qualified applicants. This is particularly helpful when you have several individuals applying to one role.
To help candidates understand expectations, clarify within your job posting whether a skill is required or optional.
Number one—you should care as much about your job description and your job posting as you do about marketing new clients.
Hiring is just as important, so give it time, give it thought, and craft a really compelling job description.
4. Working hours
Let applicants know upfront about their expected shifts or hours for the job role. When you’re clear about the job’s time requirements, you’ll attract candidates who can actually work those hours.
A good job description also states whether the job is full-time or part-time, seasonal or year-round, and permanent or temporary. Prepare to include options for overtime or on-call hours.
Sample working hours:
- Full-time, year-round
- Mon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm
- One on-call weekend overtime shift per month
5. Role compensation
Include a fair and competitive pay range within your plumbing job description. A compensation band sets better expectations for your candidates, and it saves you time interviewing plumbers who are out of your budget.
Consider listing a salary or hourly rate range so that applicants know where they fall, or how they can negotiate pay. You can then make an exact offer based on your top candidate’s skills and experience.
Sample compensation:
- $22–27/hour (based on experience)
- Time and a half for on-call overtime shifts
- Signing bonus and year-round bonus opportunities
- Health insurance, including dental and vision
- Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
- 401(k) matching and life insurance
Pro Tip: Include any non-financial compensation or perks you offer, too. This could include your employee bonus program, paid days off, health insurance, or a retirement savings plan.
6. Company overview
Some applicants may not know much about your plumbing business. A company overview lets you introduce the business and explain why applicants would want to work for you.
Your plumbing business overview might include:
- How many years your company has been operating
- Your company mission, vision, and values
- What it’s like to work at your company
- Why your plumbers work with you and stay long-term
- Professional development and career-building opportunities
You can save your company overview and use it in any future job postings, no matter what the role is. Here’s an example of what your plumbing company overview could look like:
About Pipe Dream Plumbing
Pipe Dream Plumbing is a locally owned and operated team of residential plumbers with over 25 years of experience in the Seattle area.
We specialize in plumbing installation for new construction, residential repairs and maintenance, and 24/7/365 emergency plumbing service.
Our fast-paced and performance-driven work environment is backed by a strong employee bonus program that rewards excellence in customer service and safety compliance.
If you’re looking to build a long-term career where you can advance as a professional plumber, Pipe Dream Plumbing might be the place for you.
READ MORE: How to build a business where employees want to work
Include instructions for applying to your job posting, whether that’s through email, an online application form, or an automated job board like Indeed.
Clearly state the application deadline, resume requirements, and any extra information you need, including professional references or shift preferences. Close the posting with a final instruction, such as: “To apply for this position email your resume and cover letter to [email address].”
Find the perfect candidate for your plumbing company
Once your plumber job description is ready, post it on job boards, your company website, and local community platforms to attract top candidates. From there, focus on shortlisting qualified applicants who meet your criteria. Start scheduling interviews and follow-ups to find the perfect fit for your team.
READ MORE: Plumber interview questions to find the right candidates
Frequently asked questions
What job titles does a plumber have?
There are several common titles for people who provide plumbing services, depending on their experience level and associated responsibilities:
- Plumber’s helpers (plumber’s assistants), provide an extra set of hands and support a journeyman or master plumber on the job site. They aren’t licensed, so they can’t independently provide plumbing services or call themselves a plumber.
- Apprentice plumbers are new to the field and can perform limited duties under supervision during a job site training program. An apprentice plumber learns by working with journeymen and master plumbers.
- Journeyman plumbers have completed an apprenticeship program and obtained an entry-level plumber’s license. This allows them to work independently as a licensed plumber under the supervision of a master plumber.
- Master plumbers have multiple years of experience and the highest possible level of plumbing license. They can supervise journeyman plumbers, pull project permits, and run a plumbing business on their own.
The types of plumbing certifications vary depending on state and regional requirements. License levels dictate the type of work a plumber is allowed to complete.
It’s important to note that steamfitters and pipefitters aren’t the same as plumbers. Although they perform similar tasks, they typically work in industrial settings to install and maintain pipes that carry fuel, chemicals, and steam.
READ MORE: Types of plumbers: 6 different plumbers, services, and salaries
How much do plumbers make?
According to U.S. News and World Report, the national median average salary for plumbers is around $60,000 per year (USD). This amount varies based on your state, the plumber’s experience and qualifications, and their job title or licensing level.
What skills, experience, or training does a plumber need?
Most plumbers need a high school diploma or GED. Many need either a trade program certificate or a completed apprenticeship program to gain hands-on experiences.
Some regions may also require plumbers to hold a certain type of plumber’s license or contractor’s license before they can legally provide services.
What qualities make someone a good plumber?
A successful plumber needs physical strength and the ability to work in tight spaces. They should also be a good communicator who can identify and solve problems on their own.
Depending on the position you’re hiring for, you may also want a plumber who has experience with a specific type of plumbing system or fixture.
What does a plumber do?
A plumber is a professional tradesperson who installs, repairs, and maintains pipes that transport water, gas, and waste in homes or businesses.
Plumbers also install and maintain plumbing fixtures like bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks, as well as install appliances with water line connections, like washing machines and fridges.