Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
47-2152.00
Bright Outlook Updated 2026

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 sprinkler fitters.

Sample of reported job titles: Drain Technician, Fire Sprinkler Service Technician, Pipe Welder, Pipefitter, Plumber, Plumbing Installer, Residential Plumber, Service Plumber, Sprinkler Fitter, Steamfitter

Also see: Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

  • Occupation-Specific Information
  • Overview

Occupational Requirements

Work Context Save Table: XLSX CSV

ContextWork Context
98
 
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
  • 91%
    91%
     
    Every day
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
94
 
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
  • 86%
    86%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 9%
    9%
     
    More than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    About half the time
  • 5%
    5%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
92
 
Spend Time Standing — How much does this job require standing?
  • 75%
    75%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 21%
    21%
     
    More than half the time
  • 3%
    3%
     
    About half the time
  • 2%
    2%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
89
 
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams — How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
  • 79%
    79%
     
    Every day
  • 3%
    3%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 11%
    11%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 1%
    1%
     
    Never
86
 
Exposed to Contaminants — How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
  • 56%
    56%
     
    Every day
  • 33%
    33%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 4%
    4%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
86
 
Frequency of Decision Making — How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
  • 65%
    65%
     
    Every day
  • 25%
    25%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 4%
    4%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 5%
    5%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 2%
    2%
     
    Never
85
 
Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
  • 61%
    61%
     
    A lot of freedom
  • 25%
    25%
     
    Some freedom
  • 8%
    8%
     
    Limited freedom
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Very little freedom
  • 1%
    1%
     
    No freedom
85
 
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
  • 50%
    50%
     
    Very important results
  • 42%
    42%
     
    Important results
  • 5%
    5%
     
    Moderate results
  • 2%
    2%
     
    Minor results
  • 1%
    1%
     
    No results
82
 
Time Pressure — How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
  • 35%
    35%
     
    Every day
  • 57%
    57%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 8%
    8%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
80
 
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
  • 42%
    42%
     
    Every day
  • 45%
    45%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 8%
    8%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 5%
    5%
     
    Never
78
 
Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
  • 54%
    54%
     
    Constant contact with others
  • 19%
    19%
     
    Contact with others most of the time
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Contact with others about half the time
  • 17%
    17%
     
    Occasional contact with others
  • 0%
    0%
     
    No contact with others
78
 
Health and Safety of Other Workers — How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
  • 48%
    48%
     
    Very high responsibility
  • 29%
    29%
     
    High responsibility
  • 17%
    17%
     
    Moderate responsibility
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Limited responsibility
  • 6%
    6%
     
    No responsibility
78
 
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
  • 38%
    38%
     
    Extremely important
  • 36%
    36%
     
    Very important
  • 26%
    26%
     
    Important
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Fairly important
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Not important at all
77
 
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals — How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
  • 30%
    30%
     
    A lot of freedom
  • 53%
    53%
     
    Some freedom
  • 10%
    10%
     
    Limited freedom
  • 5%
    5%
     
    Very little freedom
  • 1%
    1%
     
    No freedom
77
 
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable — How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
  • 41%
    41%
     
    Every day
  • 37%
    37%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 15%
    15%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 1%
    1%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Never
77
 
Telephone Conversations — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
  • 45%
    45%
     
    Every day
  • 39%
    39%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 4%
    4%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 3%
    3%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Never
76
 
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
  • 44%
    44%
     
    Extremely important
  • 27%
    27%
     
    Very important
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Important
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Fairly important
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Not important at all
73
 
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment — How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
  • 46%
    46%
     
    Every day
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 5%
    5%
     
    Never
72
 
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
  • 28%
    28%
     
    Every day
  • 47%
    47%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 15%
    15%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 4%
    4%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Never
72
 
Physical Proximity — To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Very close (near touching)
  • 67%
    67%
     
    Moderately close (at arm's length)
  • 23%
    23%
     
    Slightly close (e.g., shared office)
  • 0%
    0%
     
    I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office)
  • 0%
    0%
     
    I don't work near other people (beyond 100 ft.)
72
 
Spend Time Walking or Running — How much does this job require walking or running?
  • 38%
    38%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 32%
    32%
     
    More than half the time
  • 9%
    9%
     
    About half the time
  • 21%
    21%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
71
 
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body — How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
  • 32%
    32%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 28%
    28%
     
    More than half the time
  • 32%
    32%
     
    About half the time
  • 8%
    8%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
70
 
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions — How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
  • 21%
    21%
     
    Every day
  • 43%
    43%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 33%
    33%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 4%
    4%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
70
 
Exposed to High Places — How often does this job require exposure to high places?
  • 25%
    25%
     
    Every day
  • 30%
    30%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 45%
    45%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 1%
    1%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
69
 
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles — How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
  • 43%
    43%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 17%
    17%
     
    More than half the time
  • 10%
    10%
     
    About half the time
  • 29%
    29%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
69
 
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers — How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
  • 36%
    36%
     
    Very high responsibility
  • 28%
    28%
     
    High responsibility
  • 18%
    18%
     
    Moderate responsibility
  • 11%
    11%
     
    Limited responsibility
  • 6%
    6%
     
    No responsibility
68
 
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings — How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
  • 33%
    33%
     
    Every day
  • 29%
    29%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 18%
    18%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 13%
    13%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Never
67
 
Level of Competition — To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Extremely competitive
  • 59%
    59%
     
    Highly competitive
  • 25%
    25%
     
    Moderately competitive
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Slightly competitive
  • 2%
    2%
     
    Not at all competitive
66
 
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities — How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
  • 36%
    36%
     
    Extremely important
  • 27%
    27%
     
    Very important
  • 14%
    14%
     
    Important
  • 10%
    10%
     
    Fairly important
  • 13%
    13%
     
    Not important at all
64
 
Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.
  • 27%
    27%
     
    More than 40 hours
  • 73%
    73%
     
    40 hours
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Less than 40 hours
64
 
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
  • 17%
    17%
     
    Every day
  • 49%
    49%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 16%
    16%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 13%
    13%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Never
64
 
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection — How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
  • 19%
    19%
     
    Every day
  • 38%
    38%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 22%
    22%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
62
 
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions — How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Every day
  • 40%
    40%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 19%
    19%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 8%
    8%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 12%
    12%
     
    Never
62
 
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
  • 27%
    27%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 15%
    15%
     
    More than half the time
  • 38%
    38%
     
    About half the time
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Never
61
 
E-Mail — How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
  • 33%
    33%
     
    Every day
  • 27%
    27%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 13%
    13%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 0%
    0%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 26%
    26%
     
    Never
61
 
Outdoors, Under Cover — How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
  • 25%
    25%
     
    Every day
  • 35%
    35%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 18%
    18%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 3%
    3%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 20%
    20%
     
    Never
55
 
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling — How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
  • 12%
    12%
     
    Continually or almost continually
  • 40%
    40%
     
    More than half the time
  • 13%
    13%
     
    About half the time
  • 30%
    30%
     
    Less than half the time
  • 6%
    6%
     
    Never
54
 
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions — How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
  • 29%
    29%
     
    Every day
  • 14%
    14%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 23%
    23%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 14%
    14%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 21%
    21%
     
    Never
53
 
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
  • 19%
    19%
     
    Every day
  • 26%
    26%
     
    Once a week or more but not every day
  • 10%
    10%
     
    Once a month or more but not every week
  • 34%
    34%
     
    Once a year or more but not every month
  • 10%
    10%
     
    Never
52
 
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
  • 17%
    17%
     
    Extremely important
  • 31%
    31%
     
    Very important
  • 16%
    16%
     
    Important
  • 18%
    18%
     
    Fairly important
  • 18%
    18%
     
    Not important at all
51
 
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General — How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
  • 27%
    27%
     
    Extremely important
  • 16%
    16%
     
    Very important
  • 16%
    16%
     
    Important
  • 17%
    17%
     
    Fairly important
  • 24%
    24%
     
    Not important at all
50
 
Consequence of Error — How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
  • 23%
    23%
     
    Extremely serious
  • 23%
    23%
     
    Very serious
  • 16%
    16%
     
    Serious
  • 9%
    9%
     
    Fairly serious
  • 29%
    29%
     
    Not serious at all