Building & fixing

What does a
plumber do?

Installs and repairs pipes, taps, and water systems.

A career guide for curious students · Grades 3–12

Illustration of a plumber at work
Explore the everyday work behind this career.

A day in the life

Finds leaks, fits pipes and fittings, installs bathrooms and water tanks, and tests that everything works.

Skills to practise

Practical skill, problem solving, reading simple plans.

How to explore this path

Skills training or an apprenticeship, often with a trade certificate.

Training, qualifications and professional rules vary by country. Check current local requirements with a teacher or careers counsellor.

School subjects & interests

Plumber connects with Physics. You may enjoy this work if you like hands-on.

TRY A LITTLE OF THIS CAREER

A hands-on activity

With an adult, trace where water enters your home and where it leaves.

Ask an adult to help. Follow the safety notes in the activity. Printable activities are currently in English.

For younger explorers: a simpler explanation

What do they do?

Plumbers fit and fix pipes and taps so water reaches our homes.

What helps?

Being good with your hands and solving problems.

Learning about the path

You learn from an expert or take a skills course.

Questions to explore next

Related careers to discover

My exploration notebook

Stored only in this browser. Choose up to three careers for a side-by-side comparison.