How to become a Plumber
Official title: Plumbers
Also called: Plumber, Marine plumber, Radiator plumber, Apprentice plumber, Plumber apprentice, Maintenance plumber, Plumber - pipefitting, Journeyman/woman plumber, Maintenance and repair plumber, Residential construction plumber, Maintenance and repair plumber (non-construction), Plumbing mechanic
Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. They are employed in maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments, by plumbing contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in plumbing is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified plumbers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Red Seal trade. Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in plumbing is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Red Seal endorsement is available. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $66,300 a year The middle half earn $48,750 to $80,691.
- About 59,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 72,600 are projected by 2033. (+21.2%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Plumber?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in plumbing is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified plumbers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
How much does a Plumber earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $66,300 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $48,750 to $80,691.
Is a Plumber a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 21% by 2033, from about 59,900 to about 72,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Plumber?
Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Red Seal trade.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03