Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters (47-2152) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

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.

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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitter
Employment Outlook for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters
Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be larger than the statewide average This occupation is expected to grow at about the statewide average. Total job openings are projected to be somewhat higher than the statewide average.

Reasonable employment opportunities exist largely due to the significant number of job openings projected for this occupation.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters There are 4 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 4 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Journeyman Plumber 1/20/10 Eugene $22.00/hr to $24.00/hr DOE
Journeyman Plumber 1/7/10 Elmira DOE
Journeyman Plumber 12/18/09 Pendleton $20.00/hr DOE
Journeyman Plumber 12/3/09 Hermiston $25.00/hr
Wages for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters
Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $15.50 $20.34 $28.08 $36.31 $42.22 $28.32 $58,899
Multnomah / Washington 18.53 25.42 30.72 39.01 44.60 31.29 65,077
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 13.67 15.92 19.61 26.35 34.80 21.75 45,248
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 15.21 18.37 25.37 30.22 35.73 25.26 52,545
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 13.80 16.35 22.49 28.58 32.47 22.83 47,482
Clackamas 18.34 23.07 32.49 38.60 44.74 31.15 64,802
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 5,192 5,925 733 14.1% 73 128 201
Multnomah / Washington 2,307 2,652 345 15.0% 35 57 92
Clackamas 636 730 94 14.8% 9 16 25
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 498 554 56 11.2% 6 12 18
Lane 354 408 54 15.3% 5 9 14
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 333 359 26 7.8% 3 8 11
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 311 395 84 27.0% 8 8 17
Jackson / Josephine 307 357 50 16.3% 5 8 13
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 126 148 22 17.5% 2 3 5
Morrow / Umatilla 77 89 12 15.6% 1 2 3
Coos / Curry 67 71 4 6.0% 0 2 2
Klamath / Lake 59 64 5 8.5% 1 1 2
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 38 43 5 13.2% 1 1 1
Baker / Union / Wallowa 38 43 5 13.2% 1 1 1
Douglas 30 30 0 0.0% 0 1 1
Grant / Harney / Malheur 21 22 1 4.8% 0 1 1

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 5,192
Total, All Industries Private 4,962
Utilities Private 146
Construction Private 4,453
Construction of Buildings Private 148
Nonresidential Building Construction Private 148
Specialty Trade Contractors Private 4,287
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors Private 115
Building Equipment Contractors Private 4,155
Manufacturing Private 233
Paper Manufacturing Private 48
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills Private 44
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Private 126
Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing Private 73
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services Private 66
Administrative and Support Services Private 64
Total, All Industries Local 184
Utilities Local 83
Water, Sewage and Other Systems Local 78
Public Administration Local 69
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support Local 69
Educational Requirements for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters Workers must have postsecondary training to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with postsecondary training and related work experience have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters
  • Apply Basic Plumbing
  • Apply Building Codes
  • Apply Hydronics (Pumping) Principles
  • Apply Plumbing Systems Knowledge
  • Apply Pressure Vessel And Piping Technology
  • Apply Steam-Fitting System Technology
  • Assemble Pipes And Plumbing Fixtures
  • Clean And Repair Septic Tanks, Sewer Lines Or Drains
  • Cut, Fit And Join Construction Materials
  • Estimate Cost, Time, And Materials Needed For Repairs
  • Follow Hazardous Materials Specifications
  • Follow Safety Procedures
  • Identify Base Metals For Welding
  • Install Household Appliances
  • Install Metal Or Plastic Tubing Or Conduit
  • Install Or Repair Gas Appliances, Piping, Venting Or Flue Connections
  • Install Prefabricated House And Building Components
  • Install Sprinkler System
  • Lay Out Plumbing Projects
  • Maintain Tools And Equipment Used In Industrial Repair
  • Maneuver Heavy Objects
  • Operate Power Construction Equipment
  • Operate Tube Or Conduit Bending Equipment
  • Perform Combination Welding
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Provide Customer Service
  • Read Blueprints And Technical Drawings
  • Read Plumbing Specifications
  • Read Repair Work Orders
  • Read Schematics And Specifications
  • Read Tape Measure
  • Repair Water And Sewer Pipes And Fixtures
  • Use Acetylene Torch
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Basic Mathematics
  • Use Geometry
  • Use Measuring Devices In Construction Work Such As Transits Or Measuring Tapes
  • Use Pipe Fitting Equipment
  • Use Pressure Gauges
  • Use Soldering Techniques
Schools and Training Providers for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

Apprenticeship Division
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite1045
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (971) 673-0760
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Lane Community College
Rogue Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Plumbers, Pipefitters, And Steamfitters matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Septic Tank Servicers And Sewer Pipe Cleaners 45%
Pipelayers 41%
Boilermakers 37%
Reinforcing Iron And Rebar Workers 33%
Glaziers 32%
Insulation Workers 31%
Roofers 29%
Plasterers And Stucco Masons 28%
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, And Hard Tiles 26%
Stonemasons 26%