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Job Description: An apprenticeship is a formal method of training in a skilled occupation or trade. For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services (OATELS) website. OATELS is the Federal program that administers the National Registered Apprenticeship System (NRAS). It is a consolidation of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training and the new responsibilities of the employer and labor liaison dedicated to building a workforce for the 21st century.
Apprentice plumbers are paid trainees who learn to install, repair, and maintain all types of plumbing systems in private, commercial, and industrial settings. Apprentice plumbers learn the trade through on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Duties: Apprentice plumbers work under the supervision of experienced plumbers to install, maintain, and repair water, gas, drainage, and waste disposal systems in homes, businesses, and factories. They install plumbing fixtures -- bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets -- and appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, and garbage disposals. Apprentices learn to use the following tools in their work:
- Pipe wrenches and pipe benders
- Drills, saws, and cutters
- Fire pots
- Welding gears and soldering irons
- Dies, reamers, and braces
- Blow torches
- Study the building plans and blueprints to determine which tools and equipment to gather for the job
- Locate and mark position of pipes
- Locate and mark passage holes in walls and floors
- Cut openings in walls and floors to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings
- Cut and thread pipe
- Assemble and install pipe fittings and valves
- Complete basic tasks such as replacing washers in leaky faucets and mending broken pipes
Working Conditions: Plumbers and pipe fitters generally work a standard 40-hour week. They are frequently required to lift heavy pipes, stand for long periods, and sometimes work in uncomfortable, cramped positions. They often work outdoors in bad weather. They are subject to falls from ladders, cuts from sharp tools, and burns from hot pipes. During the apprenticeship program, attendance may be required in night classes.
Educational Requirements: Applicants for an apprenticeship must complete high school or the equivalent (G.E.D.) and pass an aptitude test to qualify for the program. An applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 25, and be a member of a labor union. Experience gained through vocational courses, military training, or work experience may be used to obtain advanced placement in the apprenticeship program. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online. For additional information on education and training in this field, visit the National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors online.
Outlook: The estimated number of plumbers, steamfitters, and pipefitters in Tennessee is 8,590. It is projected there will be an increase of 20 percent in this occupation through the year 2012 with 370 openings annually. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook online.
| 10% | 25% | Median- 50% | 75% | 90% | |
| TN Annual | $21,750 | $28,350 | $36,150 | $45,930 | $55,810 |
| US Annual | $25,580 | $32,490 | $42,770 | $57,280 | $72,360 |
*Some salaries are listed at an hourly rate. Those that include a single dollar amount are considered hourly wage.
Wage and salary data provided by:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
- TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
- Bureau of Economic Analysis website
For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org
Last updated on: January 23, 2008