Plumbers

About this job

Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential, commercial and industrial building.

People in this occupation:

strictly follow the B.C. plumbing code
work in maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments
may work for plumbing contractors
may be self-employed
must be able to accurately follow complex codes and rules for installation
must be able work without supervision and organize their own work day
should be able to bend and crawl into tight spaces

Common job titles

installer, plumbing
mechanic, plumbing
plumber, journeyman / journeywoman

plumber, marine / pipefitting
plumber, radiator

installer, plumbing
mechanic, plumbing
plumber, journeyman / journeywoman
plumber, marine / pipefitting
plumber, radiator

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$52,140

Source: 2016 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2016 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

Source: 2016 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2017-2027)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2017 - 2022
2022 - 2027

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 2,040

2017
2022
2027

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
6.1%
120 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
93.9%
1,920 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2017:

190

Average annual employment growth:

-1.5%

Expected number of job openings:

0

Kootenay

Employment in 2017:

200

Average annual employment growth:

0.4%

Expected number of job openings:

50

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2017:

6,600

Average annual employment growth:

0.2%

Expected number of job openings:

1,410

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2017:

230

Average annual employment growth:

0.8%

Expected number of job openings:

70

Northeast

Employment in 2017:

100

Average annual employment growth:

1.9%

Expected number of job openings:

50

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2017:

990

Average annual employment growth:

0.2%

Expected number of job openings:

210

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2017:

1,310

Average annual employment growth:

0.0%

Expected number of job openings:

250

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Plumbers perform some or all of the following duties:

read blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine layout of plumbing system, water supply network and waste and drainage systems
install, repair and maintain domestic, commercial or industrial plumbing fixtures and systems
locate and mark positions for pipe connections, passage holes and fixtures in walls and floors
cut opening in walls and floors to accommodate pipe and pipe fittings
measure, cut, bend and thread pipes using hand and power tools or machines
join pipes using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement or soldering, brazing and welding equipment
test pipes for leaks using air and water pressure gauges
may prepare cost estimates

Work environment

Plumbers typically work 40 hours per week. Some plumbers may also work on an on-call basis and respond to plumbing emergencies at all hours. Plumbers who do industrial maintenance at large facilities may do shift work.

The working environment for plumbers can be cramped, dirty and noisy, depending on the job. Plumbers must be physically fit since they are required to carry heavy pipe and stand for much of the day.

Heavy lifting and working in cramped spaces can lead to muscle and joint pain. Continued use of some tools may lead to repetitive stress injuries, such as tendonitis and bursitis.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

7,500 workers are employed

49% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2011 National Household Survey

Employment by gender

Men

Women

Source: 2011 National Household Survey

Employment by age group

15 - 24 years

25 - 44 years

45 - 64 years

65+ years

Source: 2011 National Household Survey

Labour force by industry

Construction:

89%

Educational Services:

2%

Manufacturing:

1%

Public Administration:

1%

Health Care and Social Assistance:

1%

View more industry data

Source: 2011 National Household Survey

Employment by region

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2011 National Household Survey

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Completion of secondary school is typically required. Other requirements may include:

trade certification (Certificate of Qualification, Gas B License and/or Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement) or apprentice status
a combination of work experience and in-school training
completion of three six-week periods and one eight-week period, however, part-time and distance education is available through some institutions

Apprenticeships programs:

may begin in secondary school, through entry-level training (foundation) programs at colleges and technical institutes or through direct entry to the workplace
require workers to find a sponsor employer willing to participate in the program

Plumbers are eligible for Interprovincial Standard Endorsement (Red Seal) qualification through the Industry Training Authority, which allows holders to work in any province or territory. Once plumbers pass the final examination of their accredited training program, they will achieve certification and will automatically receive Red Seal qualification.

As of July 1, 2017 when the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) came into force, you will not need significant additional training, experience, testing or assessment if your qualifications or certificates are recognized by a Canadian regulatory authority. This applies whether you were trained in Canada or internationally. Learn about labour mobility at www.workersmobility.ca. For information about labour mobility and foreign qualifications recognition, contact the B.C. regulator for your occupation.

Plumbers with 8,430 hours of documented, directly related work experience can challenge the Interprovincial Red Seal examination. For more information, please see the Industry Training Authority website at www.itabc.ca.

Skills

Manual Dexterity
Spatial Perception
Detail-Oriented
Object-Oriented
Motor Coordination

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

Plumbing/Pipefitting

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.

Insights from industry

Over the last few years low interest rates and a growing economy have resulted in a rapid increase in construction activity in B.C. Residential construction and renovations in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, southern Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions continue to be a source of plumbing work.

Commercial, institutional and industrial construction will also continue to be an important job supply for plumbers.

Technological improvements and more efficient methods are increasing the productivity of plumbers. Improved output of workers will affect the number of new jobs created. For example, if construction activity increases in the future, there may not be an equal increase in the number of plumbing jobs.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Most workers begin by working as apprentice plumbers. Upon completion of the apprenticeship program, workers receive their journeymen papers and are then certified plumbers.

Those who have completed their apprenticeships typically start out working for a larger plumbing contractor/company. Experience plumbers may be promoted to a supervisory position.

More experienced plumbers may choose to work as independent contractors and start their own plumbing companies. With additional education some plumbers may become certified plumbing inspectors.

Additional resources

Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC) - Continuing Education
education.chbabc.org/home.php
Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH)
www.ciph.com
Careers in Construction
www.careersinconstruction.ca
Industry Training Authority (ITA)
www.itabc.ca
Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia (MCABC)
www.mcabc.org
Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC)
www.mcac.ca
Plumbing Officials’ Association of British Columbia
www.bcplumbingofficials.com
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Association
www.phccweb.org
Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)
www.stepbc.ca
Trades Training BC – Jobs Board
www.tradestrainingbc.ca/jobs
United Association: Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs (UA)
www.ua.org

Plumbers (NOC 7251)

About this job

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2017-2027)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Skills

Education programs in B.C.

Trades training resources

Insights from industry

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Plumber

Plumber

Certified Plumber