Construction Trades
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services
Colleges award this field under 5 named programs, from Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter to Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter
- Prepares you to design, install, and test industrial and commercial piping systems and automatic fire and exposure protection systems. Covers water systems, steam systems, heating and cooling systems, lubricating systems, piping materials, installation tools operation and maintenance, valve installation and repair, technical mathematics, blueprint interpretation, and applicable codes and standards.
- Plumbing Technology/Plumber
- Prepares you to practice as licensed plumbers by applying technical knowledge and skills to lay out, assemble, install, and maintain piping fixtures and systems for steam, natural gas, oil, hot water, heating, cooling, drainage, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial processing systems in home and business environments. Covers source determination, water distribution, waster removal, pressure adjustment, basic physics, technical mathematics, blueprint reading, pipe installation, pumps, welding and soldering, plumbing inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
- Well Drilling/Driller
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, maintain, repair, and operate well drilling equipment; locate, drill, construct, and develop water, gas, and oil wells; and test and monitor wells to ensure adequate flow. Includes applications to home, business, and industrial uses.
- Blasting/Blaster
- Prepares you to apply technical knowledge and skills in using a variety of explosive materials to aid in the construction process. Covers safety procedures for storing, handling, placement, charge power determination, drilling, pounding, building demolition, preparing rocky surfaces for building foundations and demolition of explosives.
- Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services, Other
- Plumbing and related water supply services not listed above.
Also called Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer, Sprinkler System Installer, Steamfitter/Pipefitter
Also called Pipefitter - Plumber Specialty
Also called Rig Technician, Derrickhand, Motorhand
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Median pay
- $79,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.0%
- Job openings a year
- 67,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingPlumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Median pay
- $63,800
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.8%
- Job openings a year
- 42,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingSeptic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Median pay
- $49,880
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.8%
- Job openings a year
- 2,800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Holding steadyExplosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
- Median pay
- $61,390
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.0%
- Job openings a year
- 400
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyEarth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Median pay
- $60,190
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.6%
- Job openings a year
- 1,400
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing slowlyRotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Median pay
- $67,890
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.8%
- Job openings a year
- 1,100
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this career Growing slowlyDerrick Operators, Oil and Gas
- Median pay
- $58,620
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.6%
- Job openings a year
- 900
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 42 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.