Pipe fitter
Pipe fitters install industrial pipework, valves and sprinklers in factories, commercial premises, ships and large buildings like power stations.
Also known as: Pipefitter
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£45,000 a year
- Typical hours42 to 48 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
As a pipe fitter, you could:
- plan how to do a job based on engineering designs
- make or modify parts in a workshop
- assemble components ready for installation
- install and join pipework, using bolting and welding methods
- carry out planned inspections and maintenance
- find and fix faults
- remove old pipework and fittings safely
Working environment
You could work in a factory, at a manufacturing plant, in an NHS or private hospital, at a power station or on a ship.
Your working environment may be cramped.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a pipe fitter
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
You can do a college course, which may help you to get a trainee pipe fitter's job.
Courses include:
- engineering
- welding
- plumbing and heating
- building services engineering
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to join a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:
- Pipe Welder
- Engineering Fitter
- Maritime Pipeworker
- Engineering Construction Pipe Fitter
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Work
You might start as a general engineering operative and train on the job to become a pipe fitter.
Career path and progression
You could be promoted to supervisor or become an engineering workshop manager. You could also work in welding inspection and quality control.
With further training, you may have opportunities to move into:
- thermal insulation work
- building services engineering
- engineering design, where you'll draw up pipework installation plans
Registration
- you'll need an industry safety certificate like the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) Safety Passport Scheme for many jobs
Guides for this industry
Related roles
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- Job roleThermal insulation engineer
- Job roleEngineering construction technician
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0