What is a plumber helper and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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When there are leaks in the pipes of your homes, who do you call? When your sink or your toilet is not working, who is the first professional that comes to your mind to fix this? Both questions have only one answer: the plumber. Plumbers are important contributors to home improvement and repair. But we should also acknowledge the assistance they get from their plumber helpers.

Plumber helpers are, as one may infer, people who work under plumbers. They assist plumbers in their daily activities. They join their superiors to homes or offices that need fixing. They assist in the installation, maintenance, and repair of anything related to the plumbing system. Sometimes, plumber helpers are also plumbers-in-training. They do this job to be more exposed to what it will be like to be a plumber.

If you are interested in the plumbing business and you enjoy fixing things, being a plumber helper will help you get a job that will match your interests. In this role, you need to be dependable and to be open to learning.

ScorePlumber HelperUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,893

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.8

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.05%

Asian 1.87%

Black or African American 9.49%

Hispanic or Latino 19.99%

Unknown 4.22%

White 63.37%

Gender

female 3.75%

male 96.25%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.6

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

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Plumber Helper career paths

Key steps to become a plumber helper

  1. Explore plumber helper education requirements

    Most common plumber helper degrees

    High School Diploma

    57.8 %

    Diploma

    14.2 %

    Associate

    12.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific plumber helper skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Hand Tools35.54%
    Plumbing17.96%
    Cast Iron17.60%
    Ladders8.88%
    PEX5.15%
  3. Complete relevant plumber helper training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New plumber helpers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a plumber helper based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plumber helper resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed plumber helper usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed plumber helper in most of states. 33 states require plumber helpers to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    State
    ascdesc
    Education
    ascdesc
    Exam
    ascdesc
    License Url
    ascdesc
    Alabama--Certified Master Plumber
    MarylandSpecific course requiredState exam requiredPLUMBER
    Arkansas-State exam requiredJourneyman Plumber
    Colorado-State exam requiredJourneyman Plumber
    Connecticut-State exam requiredPlumbing & Piping Unlimited Journeyperson
  5. Research plumber helper duties and responsibilities

    • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
    • Install lavatories, help install urinals and commodes, roof drains and hose-bibs.
    • Assist journeyman plumber with measuring, cutting, brazing and sweating copper and copper fittings.
    • Perform solder brazing, some rough work with acetylene torch and grinders and various cutting implements.
  6. Prepare your plumber helper resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your plumber helper resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a plumber helper resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Plumber Helper Resume templates

    Build a professional Plumber Helper resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Plumber Helper resume.
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    Plumber Helper Resume
  7. Apply for plumber helper jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a plumber helper job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Plumber Helper Job

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Average plumber helper salary

The average Plumber Helper salary in the United States is $43,893 per year or $21 per hour. Plumber helper salaries range between $28,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average Plumber Helper Salary
$43,893 Yearly
$21.10 hourly

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How do plumber helpers rate their job?

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Plumber Helper reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

The work and the money. Big jobs. Guys that know their trade and pride themselves with great work.

Cons

Drain cleaning, jetting. Wanna be's and people that are late and unreliable.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Plumbing and fittings

Cons

Laziness in the jod I do not like that, effort towards endurance


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Getting the job done. Working smart and safe. Being productive and active.

Cons

Not being told what to do. Taking the initiative .


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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