DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
47-2152 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Occupational Description:
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 sprinklerfitters.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Southeast Balance of State | 500 | 165 | $26.94/hr | $1.16/hr | $15.67/hr | $23.56/hr | $28.33/hr | $32.84/hr | $35.45/hr |
| Minnesota | 6,460 | 394 | $31.11/hr | $1.21/hr | $14.81/hr | $22.11/hr | $30.86/hr | $38.49/hr | $46.21/hr |
| U S | 349,320 | 3,843 | $25.33/hr | $0.13/hr | $13.84/hr | $17.62/hr | $23.34/hr | $31.67/hr | $40.22/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 2,680 | $13.60/hr | N/A |
| Carpenters | 990 | $18.76/hr | N/A |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 530 | $17.19/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Plans pipe system layout, installation, or repair according to specifications.
- Operates motorized pump to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors.
- Turns valve to shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe section, using valve key or wrenches.
- Cuts and bores holes in structures, such as bulkheads, decks, walls, and mains, using hand and power tools, prior to pipe installation.
- Coats nonferrous piping materials by dipping in mixture of molten tin and lead to prevent erosion, or galvanic and electrolytic action.
- Inspects work site to determine presence of obstruction and ensure that holes will not cause structure weakness.
- Lays out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, and related equipment, following blueprints.
- Modifies and maintains pipe systems and related machines and equipment components following specifications, using hand tools and power tools.
- Selects pipe sizes and types and related materials, such as supports, hangers, and hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
- Measures and marks pipes for cutting and threading.
- Inspects, examines, and tests installed systems and pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.
- Assembles pipes, tubes, and fittings, according to specifications.
- Attaches pipes to walls, structures and fixtures, such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools or welding equipment.
- Cuts, threads, and hammers pipe to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, and pipe threaders and benders.
- Repairs and maintains plumbing by replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, and opening clogged drains.
- Fills pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observes pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
- Directs workers engaged in pipe cutting and preassembly and installation of plumbing systems and components.
- Cuts, threads, and bends pipe to required angle, using pipe cutters, pipe-threading machine, and pipe bending machine.
- Installs pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, and fixtures, such as sinks, toilets and tubs, using hand and power tools.
- Studies building plans and inspects structure to determine required materials and equipment and sequence of pipe installations.
- Locates and marks position of pipe installations and passage holes in structures, using measuring instruments, such as ruler and level.
- Cuts opening in structures to accommodate pipe and pipe fittings, using hand and power tools.
- Assembles pipe sections, tubing and fittings, using screws, bolts, solder, plastic solvent, and caulking.
- Guides pipe into trench and signals hoist operator to move pipe until specified alignment with other pipes is achieved.
- Inspects joint to verify uniformity of spacing and alignment of pipe surfaces.
- Corrects misalignment of pipe, using sledge hammer.
- Inserts spacers between pipe ends.