Summary
A plumber installs, repairs and maintains the pipes, drains, fixtures and water heaters that supply and remove water. Jobs include service calls, repairs, remodels and new construction.
Be specific about your mix. Drain cleaning and emergency calls call for a different person than rough-in work on a new build.
Below are the plumber duties and responsibilities most employers list, the skills and licensing they ask for, a sample job post you can copy, and interview questions to help you pick the right person.
Duties and responsibilities
- Diagnose leaks, clogs and fixture problems, and explain the options to the customer.
- Install and repair pipes, faucets, toilets, water heaters and drains.
- Cut, fit and join pipe such as copper, PEX, PVC and cast iron, using the right fittings for each job.
- Clear clogged drains and sewer lines with snakes, jetters or a camera, where your company offers that work.
- Read plans and work orders, and measure and cut materials to fit.
- Test finished work for leaks and proper flow before leaving.
- Follow safety steps and local code for every job.
- Keep the truck stocked, and record the work done and parts used.
- Leave each home or site clean, and protect floors and finishes.
Skills and qualities
- Good troubleshooting and problem solving.
- Comfortable working in crawl spaces, basements and tight areas.
- Strong with hand and power tools.
- Patient and clear when explaining problems to customers.
- Careful with customers’ homes and belongings.
- Reliable when called on short notice.
Typical requirements
- A state or local plumbing license, or the experience that lets someone work under a licensed plumber. Rules vary by state and city.
- A valid driver’s license if the job uses a company vehicle.
- Ability to lift the weight you name, kneel, crawl and work in wet or dirty conditions.
- Experience that matches the work you offer, or willingness to train as an apprentice.
Requirements differ by state, city and employer. Check the licensing, age, safety and pay rules that apply to your business before you post. This page is a starting point, not legal advice.
Schedule and conditions
Plumbing often includes after-hours emergencies. Say whether on-call work is part of the job, how it rotates and how it is paid.
State the usual start time, the service area and whether the day starts at the shop.
Nice to have
- Experience with water heaters, drain cleaning or camera inspection.
- Experience with residential or commercial systems, matched to your jobs.
- Customer service experience.
- A clean driving record.
Tips for posting this job
- Say whether the job is service, repair, remodel or new construction.
- Name the license or experience level you need, and whether you train apprentices.
- Be clear about on-call duty and emergency calls.
- Say what the company provides: truck, tools, uniform, training.
- Give the service area.
Put your real pay, schedule and location in the posting. Candidates skip posts that leave them out.
Sample job post
Copy this, then change the words in brackets to match your business.
Plumber: [service / new construction] in [city or service area]
[Company name] is hiring a plumber to handle [service and repair calls / rough-in and finish on new homes] for homes and businesses in [service area]. You will work from a stocked company truck and get support from our office team.
Pay: [pay rate or range]. Schedule: [days and hours], with [on-call rotation and how it is paid, or no on-call]. Start: [start date].
- Diagnose and repair leaks, clogs, fixtures and water heaters.
- Install pipe, fixtures and drains to code, and test your work before you leave.
- Explain the problem and the options to customers in plain words.
- Keep the truck stocked and record parts and time for each job.
- Requirements: [license level, or apprentice welcome], a valid driver’s license, and the ability to lift [weight] and work in tight spaces.
- We provide: [truck, tools, uniform, training, other benefits].
Interview questions for a plumber
- Tell me about a leak or clog that was hard to find. How did you track it down?
- Walk me through how you install a water heater, from shut-off to testing.
- What do you check before you leave a job?
- How do you explain a costly repair to a customer who is upset?
- What license do you hold, and what work have you done under it?
- How do you feel about on-call and emergency calls?
- Which pipe materials and tools are you most comfortable with?
Ask every candidate the same questions so you can compare answers fairly. HRGP keeps your questions, notes and scores with each applicant.
Questions and answers
What are the main duties of a plumber?
A plumber installs, repairs and maintains water supply lines, drains, fixtures and water heaters. Day to day, that means finding leaks and clogs, fitting and joining pipe, installing fixtures, testing work for leaks and proper flow, following local code, and explaining the work to customers.
What is the difference between an apprentice, a journeyman and a master plumber?
Many states use these levels. An apprentice is learning the trade and works under a licensed plumber. A journeyman has finished training and holds a license to do most plumbing work. A master plumber has more experience and a higher license, and in many places is the person who can pull permits or run a plumbing business. The names and rules differ by state, so check with your state or local licensing board.
Does a plumber need a license?
Most states, and some cities, license plumbers, and many let apprentices work under a licensed plumber while they train. Check the rules where you work, and say in your posting which license level you need.
What should a plumber job post include?
Say what kind of work it is (service, repair, remodel or new construction), the license or experience you need, the pay, the schedule and on-call duty, the service area, and what you provide, such as a truck, tools and training. Clear posts get more of the right applicants.
How is a service plumber different from a new-construction plumber?
A service plumber goes to homes and businesses to find and fix problems, so troubleshooting and customer skills matter most. A new-construction plumber installs systems in buildings that are going up, working from plans through rough-in and finish, often alongside other trades.
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