Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following 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
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required
- Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in plumbing is usually required to be eligible for trade certification
- Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified plumbers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Job titles in NOC 72300
14 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- apprentice plumber
- journeyman/woman plumber
- maintenance and repair plumber
- maintenance and repair plumber (non-construction)
- maintenance plumber
- marine plumber
- plumber
- plumber - pipefitting
- plumber apprentice
- plumbing heat technician - Canadian Armed Forces
- plumbing installer
- plumbing mechanic
- radiator plumber
- residential construction plumber
Wages for NOC 72300 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for plumbers.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $20.00 | $32.50 | $50.38 |
| British Columbia | $23.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 |
| Alberta | $20.00 | $30.00 | $43.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $22.00 | $35.00 | $43.00 |
| Manitoba | $21.00 | $30.11 | $43.00 |
| Quebec | $24.50 | $40.00 | $45.00 |
| New Brunswick | $16.50 | $26.00 | $34.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $18.00 | $33.00 | $38.38 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $18.50 | $27.50 | $36.03 |
| Canada | $21.00 | $34.00 | $46.00 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $25.00 | $34.38 | $46.60 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $22.48 | $34.45 | $48.02 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $22.58 | $32.86 | $44.35 |
| Toronto | $24.93 | $35.20 | $53.09 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $20.00 | $32.50 | $48.08 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $20.63 | $32.93 | $45.26 |
| London | $20.00 | $31.00 | $40.00 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $20.00 | $32.50 | $50.38 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $23.05 | $33.69 | $44.53 |
| Northeast | $22.49 | $35.03 | $48.41 |
| Northwest | $25.00 | $33.00 | $41.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025.
Career progression and other notes
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Gas fitters: NOC 72302, Gas fitters
- Plumbers supervisor: NOC 72012, Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
- Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers: NOC 72301, Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
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Questions about NOC 72300
What is NOC 72300?
NOC 72300 is Plumbers, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations and to TEER 2.
What TEER is NOC 72300?
NOC 72300 is TEER 2. TEER 2 generally means: college program of 2 to 3 years, apprenticeship of 2 to 5 years, or a supervisory or safety role.
What job titles are in NOC 72300?
The unit group includes 14 job titles, for example maintenance plumber, plumber, plumber apprentice, plumbing mechanic.
How much do plumbers earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $34.00 per hour for plumbers, and $32.50 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in Quebec at $40.00 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 72300?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include gas fitters (NOC 72302); plumbers supervisor (NOC 72012); steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers (NOC 72301).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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