Plumber Job Description

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.

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.
• 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.