How To Write a Plumber Resume
If you’re looking for a plumber position, be sure your resume highlights you’re currently licensed. Also, show you can diagnose and troubleshoot various plumbing systems, from water lines to septic systems to fixtures like sinks, tubs, and toilets. Depending on if you’re seeking commercial or residential plumbing work, you can adjust your resume accordingly. Below, we share the best resume strategies and examples to help you craft the perfect plumber resume.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Summarize your plumber qualifications in a dynamic profile
The main purpose of the profile section of your resume is to pitch yourself to hiring managers while highlighting your top qualifications. Share how many years of experience you have working as a plumber, and then list three or four plumbing tasks you are an expert in, carefully matching them to the job posting.
For example, if a plumbing company is looking to hire plumbers for residential jobs, you could mention your ability to install plumbing fixtures, repair bath and kitchen fixtures, and clean and clear drainage systems. These details will help illustrate you have the exact skills the employer seeks.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A master plumber and foreman with over 10 years of experience in commercial and industrial plumbing, specializing in project management, blueprint analysis, and construction. A proven track record of executing large-scale construction projects with diverse teams. An expert in OSHA safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols, and building codes.
Entry-Level Profile Example
An apprentice plumber with entry-level experience, specializing in piping, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, troubleshooting, and customer service. Adept at assisting licensed plumbers with complex installations, repairs, and maintenance for commercial plumbing systems.
2. Add your plumber experience with compelling examples
Once you’ve engaged the job recruiter with your summary, provide additional details in the experience section, demonstrating your skills, expertise, and industry knowledge.
When possible, describe your work history in a way that emphasizes the results and value you’ve brought to former employers rather than just listing your job duties. For instance, one bullet point might be that you completed a large-scale plumbing installation before the deadline and under budget. If you’ve done higher-level work, you may point out you’ve worked with teams of construction and engineering professionals or took on a supervisory role to ensure OSHA standards were met at a work site.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Master Plumber and Foreman, Philadelphia Water Authority, Philadelphia, PA
May 2020 – present
- Manage construction projects valued at up to $250,000, oversee installations of service lines, and conduct repairs for over 300 water main breaks
- Oversee a crew of four laborers, conduct performance evaluations, deliver remedial coaching, and provide training on OSHA safety procedures
- Lead the flushing of a water distribution system for 55,000 customers across 45 municipalities
- Repair and install over 250 valves ranging from 4 to 20 inches to ensure proper shutdown of water pressure for water main repairs
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Apprentice Plumber, Manhattan Plumbing Pros, New York, NY
September 2021 – May 2022
- Collaborated with plumbing technicians to install sinks, toilets, pipes, water heaters, and HVAC systems for more than 15 clients per week
- Interfaced with customers to identify issues, provide recommendations for pipe replacements, and deliver high-quality customer service
3. Include education and certifications relevant to plumbers
Because being a plumber requires specific licenses and certifications, you’ll need to list all relevant items on your resume. If you attended a trade school program or earned a degree or certificate related to your work, include that as well.
Plumbers should also include their license number with the expiration date.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Plumbing Technician Program
- Brooklyn Trade School, New York, NY September 2014 – May 2016
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Journeyman Plumber, State of New York, License #12345678, May 2018
4. Make a list of your plumber-related skills and proficiencies
Including an easy-to-scan list of professional skills can help a recruiter or an applicant tracking system (ATS) quickly identify if you have the key skills they seek. Including keywords from the job posting in your list (and sprinkled into your profile and experience sections) ensures your resume makes it to the next round of review.
Most of those key skills for plumbers will be related to working with common plumbing systems and knowing work site best practices. Here’s a list of common key skills to consider for your resume if you’re seeking work as a plumber:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Blueprint reading | Commercial plumbing |
| Drainage systems | Gas lines |
| HVAC | Industrial plumbing |
| Installation | OSHA safety |
| Pipe fixtures | Piping |
| Preventative maintenance | Project management |
| Residential plumbing | Septic systems |
| Sewer systems | Troubleshooting |
| Valves | Water heaters |
| Water lines | Welding |
5. Highlight your project management and work safety skills
Working as a plumber for commercial construction projects or industrial plumbing can require many additional skills beyond what a residential plumber who primarily fixes clogged drains may need. For those more complex roles, consider an additional section in your resume focused on the project management aspects of your work or highlighting your knowledge of site safety protocols.
How To Pick the Best Plumber Resume Template
When choosing a template for a plumber job, prioritize simplicity so your skills and qualifications will speak for themselves. An over-designed look with flashy graphics and colors might work well for a more creative field like marketing or graphic design, but it’s unnecessary and distracting for a trade occupation like plumbing. Stick with a clean, easy-to-read format that isn’t super text-heavy.
Plumber Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Felicia Gray
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
A journeyman plumber with six years of experience, specializing in residential plumbing, water lines, septic systems, and contractor management. A strong history of executing installations and repairs for large home remodeling projects. Adept at leading apprentice plumbers and contractors to ensure quality deliverables.
Key Skills
- Drainage systems
- HVAC
- OSHA safety
- Residential plumbing
- Troubleshooting
Professional Experience
Plumbing Technician, Brooklyn Plumbing Co., New York, NY
May 2018 – present
- Lead the installation and repair of plumbing systems, water lines, pipe fixtures, toilets, sinks, and drainage systems for home remodeling projects valued at up to $100,000
- Analyze blueprints to identify potential risks and project roadblocks and conduct inspections of piping systems to diagnose root causes
- Manage project teams of up to six apprentice plumbers, assigned responsibilities, prioritized project tasks, and ensure compliance with OSHA safety
Apprentice Plumber, Manhattan Plumbing Pros, New York, NY
September 2016 – May 2018
- Collaborated with plumbing technicians to install sinks, toilets, pipes, water heaters, and HVAC systems for over 15 clients per week
- Interfaced with customers to identify issues, provide recommendations for pipe replacements, and deliver high-quality customer service
Education
Plumbing Technician Program
Brooklyn Trade School, New York, NY September 2014 – May 2016
High School Diploma
Utica High School, Utica, NY September 2010 – June 2014
Certifications
Journeyman Plumber, State of New York, License #12345678, May 2018
Frequently Asked Questions: Plumber Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for plumber resumes?-
Choosing action verbs thoughtfully can make your resume stand out. But — especially if you’ve had a longer career — it can be challenging to keep coming up with different ones. To assist you as you build your resume, here are some common action verbs that help plumber resumes pop:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Constructed |
| Coordinated | Designed |
| Developed | Diagnosed |
| Evaluated | Examined |
| Executed | Identified |
| Implemented | Installed |
| Led | Managed |
| Oversaw | Performed |
| Planned | Resolved |
| Repaired | Tested |
How do you align your resume with a plumber job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, jobs for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are projected to grow by only 2% from 2021 to 2031. Thus, having a stellar resume is important to compete for the limited job openings available.
Instead of having one generic resume, each time you find a potential job opportunity, tailor it so it’s custom-built for that employer. Look carefully at the job description and then rearrange or tweak your resume to match it as much as possible. You’ll need to stay honest. But emphasizing or highlighting certain skills or job experiences – whether it’s working on sewer lines or maintaining HVAC systems – can set you apart.
What is the best plumber resume format?-
Reverse chronological resumes are the gold standard, and there’s no reason why a plumber resume should take a different approach. It’s simple and familiar, and hiring managers can quickly see your most recent work highlights to determine if you’re a strong candidate for their role. Functional resume formats, which highlight core competencies and skills groups rather than focus on job history, are more complex and better suited for career changers or people with large employment gaps.
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