Plumbers

Wages
In 2021, the average annual wage in a Alabama was $47,470.
Wages by Industry
  • Building Equipment Contractors $50,690.00
  • Nonresidential Building Construction $52,880.00
  • Utility System Construction $48,460.00
  • Natural Gas Distribution $53,870.00
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Common Majors
  • Plumbing Technology/Plumber
  • Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other
About the job

Assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes.


What you'll do
    • Calculate costs or savings for water- or energy-efficient appliances or systems.
    • Compile information on governmental incentive programs related to the installation of energy or water saving plumbing systems or devices.
    • Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes or pipe fittings, using hand or power tools.
    • Determine sizing requirements for solar hot water heating systems, taking into account factors such as site orientation, load calculations, or storage capacity requirements.
    • Install alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting systems or graywater reuse systems.
    • Install green plumbing equipment, such as faucet flow restrictors, dual-flush or pressure-assisted flush toilets, or tankless hot water heaters.
    • Install, test, or commission solar thermal or solar photovoltaic hot water heating systems.
    • Perform domestic plumbing audits to identify ways in which customers might reduce consumption of water or energy.
    • Recommend energy or water saving products, such as low-flow faucets or shower heads, water-saving toilets, or high-efficiency hot water heaters.
    • Weld small pipes or special piping, using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as computer-assisted welding or microchip fabrication.
Things you need to know
    • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
    • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
    • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
    • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
    • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
    • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
    • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
    • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.