Skilled Trades & Construction career

Plumber Helper

Also called: Plumbing Helper · Pipefitter Helper · Plumber’s Assistant · Plumbing Laborer

What plumber helpers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a plumber helper do?

Helpers, pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters help plumbers by performing duties requiring less skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools. The median pay is $42,360 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $42,360
    $20.36/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.4%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    4,400
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    A few weeks on the job
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    45,300
    Employment, 2025

What plumber helpers do

Plumber helpers support plumbing work. They carry pipe and fixtures, dig trenches, drill holes, cut and prep pipe, hold materials, clean up and learn installation and repair.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects slight growth, and it is a common start toward a plumbing apprenticeship.

Typical duties

  • Carry materials
  • Cut pipe
  • Drill holes
  • Dig trenches
  • Hold pipe
  • Clean up
  • Assist plumbers

Work environment and schedule

Helpers work in homes, buildings and job sites.

Schedule: Full time, sometimes on-call.

A day in the life

  1. Load the truck.
  2. Drill through joists.
  3. Cut PVC.
  4. Help set a water heater.

See a full day in the life of a plumber helper →

Plumber Helper salary

Half of plumber helpers earned more than $42,360 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,590 for the lowest 10% to $57,780 for the top 10%.

Full plumber helper pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a plumber helper

  1. Finish high school
  2. Register as a trainee if required
  3. Get hired
  4. Apply to an apprenticeship
  5. Become a plumber

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a plumber helper →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Pipe cutting
  • Drilling
  • Material handling
  • Basic fittings
  • Digging

People skills

  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliability
  • Teamwork
  • Stamina

All plumber helper skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Path to a high-paying trade
  • Short training
  • Steady demand
  • Learn on the job

Cons

  • Dirty work
  • Physical work
  • Tight spaces
  • Low starting pay

Certifications and licenses

  • Plumbing trainee registration: Required in some states.
  • OSHA 10: Safety.
  • Pre-apprenticeship: Helpful.
  • Backflow awareness: Helpful.

Career path

  1. Helper: Entry.
  2. Apprentice: Training.
  3. Journeyman Plumber: Licensed.
  4. Master Plumber: Top license.

Learn the job before day one

Our Plumber Helper training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as cut and glue PVC pipe and crimp a PEX connection, safety and how to land your first job.

View Plumber Helper trainingIs this career right for me?

Plumber

Install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.

  • $63,800
  • 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

Pipelayer

Lay pipe in trenches for water, sewer and storm drain systems.

  • $49,000
  • A few weeks on the job

HVAC Technician

Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.

  • $61,010
  • 6–24 months

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

  • $47,120
  • Days to weeks (on the job)

Compare: Plumber Helper vs. Plumber · Plumber Helper vs. Pipelayer · Plumber Helper vs. HVAC Technician · Plumber Helper vs. Construction Laborer

Plumber Helper FAQ

Do I need a license?

Some states require trainee registration.

Is it a path to plumber?

Yes.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects slight growth.

How much does a plumber helper make?

The median annual wage for plumber helpers was $42,360 ($20.36 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,590 and the highest 10% earned more than $57,780.

How long does it take to become a plumber helper?

Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a plumber helper?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More plumber helper questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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