Description
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.
Job Titles
- Maintenance plumber
- Plumber
- Plumber apprentice
- Plumbing mechanic
Main Duties
- 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.
Workplaces
- Maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments
- Plumbing contractors
- Self-employed
Skills
- Repairing
- Setting Up
- Troubleshooting
- Coordinating
- Critical Thinking
Abilities
- Trunk Strength
- Body Flexibility
- Dynamic Strength
- Spatial Visualization
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Personal Attributes
- Adaptability
- Attention to Detail
- Independence
- Service Orientation
- Stress Tolerance
Similar Occupations
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be Good for plumbers (NOC 72300) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Plumbers continue to be in high demand in P.E.I., driven by housing shortages, new residential construction, and steady renovation activity. The prospect for employment in this occupation is good as there continues to be a shortage of workers and unfilled vacancies in the province due to strong gains in both residential and non-residential investment. Retirements across the construction labour force will add further replacement needs. Non-residential construction, including healthcare, education, and utility projects, is also expected to sustain demand, though activity is expected to moderate after recent peaks. Employers continue to report shortages of qualified tradespeople, making opportunities favourable for new graduates and career seekers, especially those with additional credentials such as a gas fitter’s licence.
Many plumbers in P.E.I. are self-employed, with service contracts providing year-round work, and entrepreneurial opportunities remain strong. While some seasonality exists—particularly with higher demand in warmer months—plumbing offers stable employment, competitive wages, and advancement potential, with prospects strongest for those willing to travel or adapt to diverse residential and commercial projects.
Here are some key facts about Plumbers in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 250 people work in this occupation.
- Plumbers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Construction (NAICS 23): more than 95%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 92% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 8% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 69% of plumbers work all year, while 31% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- 26% of plumbers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 62% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 23% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: n/a
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $21.00 | $34.00 | $46.00 |
| Canada | $20.00 | $30.00 | $38.00 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.