Journeyman Plumber
Katy ISD
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Reports to: Maintenance Area Supervisor
Duty Days: 261 Days
Wage/Hour Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade: A07 – 8HR
Date Revised: 01-2024
Qualifications
- Texas Driver's License
- Plumbing Journeyman license
- Backflow certification (preferred)
- Ability to respond to emergency situations
- Ability to read blueprints
- Ability to use hand and power tools
- Ability to climb and carry ladder and work at elevated heights
- Physically able to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to comprehend English (written and oral)
Primary Purpose
Help maintain the physical school plant plumbing needs in a condition of operating excellence so that full educational use of it may be made at all times.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- Assume primary responsibility for the safe condition of pipes, drains, and plumbing fixtures in the facilities owned and operated by the district including water heaters and boilers.
- Assist Area Master Plumber relating to work orders, projects and emergency calls.
- Recognize when outside assistance is needed.
- Perform repair and/or new work as required on approved work order.
- Maintain an inventory of supplies and recommend supplies and equipment for purchase.
- Practice all safety regulations related to trade.
- Report any safety hazards in a building to the supervisor.
- Examine district-owned facilities on a regular basis for purposes of preventive maintenance.
- Position may be required to work overtime or alternate work schedule.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Equipment Used
Hand and power tools; pipe bender; propane torch; welding equipment; sewer rooter; heavy equipment, including forklift, jackhammer, trencher, backhoe. Light truck or van.
Working Conditions
- Maintain emotional control under stress.
- Continual walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, and heavy lifting and carrying.
- Work in tiring and uncomfortable positions, around gas lines, around fumes and toxic chemicals, outside and inside.
- Exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Frequent districtwide travel, irregular work hours including nights and weekends.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
What Most Plumbers Job Listings Don't Tell You
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Plumbing is a licensed trade in Texas. You start as a registered apprentice, log paid on-the-job hours, and work under a licensed plumber before you can sit for the tradesman or journeyman exam. Many job posts list a title like plumber but expect a specific license tier, so read the fine print. Pay is usually hourly for apprentices and shifts toward flat-rate or commission on the service side, where a share of each ticket rewards speed and upselling.
New hires are often surprised by the truck and on-call reality. Service plumbers frequently drive a stocked company van, run a rotating after-hours or weekend shift, and handle emergency calls for burst lines and backups. New-construction and commercial work runs steadier daytime hours but leans on rough-in speed and blueprint reading. Houston humidity, slab foundations, and older cast-iron systems mean steady demand year round, with spikes after freezes and heavy storms.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
A service day starts with a dispatch list and a stocked truck. You confirm parts, plan a route, and roll to the first call. Typical work includes clearing drains, swapping water heaters, fixing leaks under slabs, repairing fixtures, and running camera inspections on sewer lines. You diagnose the problem, quote the repair, and get sign-off before turning a wrench.
Customer interaction is a big part of the role. You explain options in plain language, protect floors and finishes, and leave the work area clean. Paperwork follows every job. You log parts, take photos, and close out the ticket in the field. New-construction plumbers spend more of the day on rough-in, setting drain and vent lines to code, then return for the finish stage to set fixtures. Either path involves lifting, crawling into tight spaces, and coordinating with inspectors so the job passes the first time.
What Plumbers Jobs Pay in Houston
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area. Median is about $29.47/hr.
Becoming a Licensed Plumber in Texas
Plumbing is licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. You register as an apprentice, then work under a licensed plumber while you log paid hours. After enough hours you can test for tradesman or journeyman, and with more experience you sit for the master plumber exam. Backflow and medical gas are separate endorsements that add earning power. Each step requires documented hours and a passing exam, so keeping careful records of your time matters. Texas recognizes experience from some other states, but you still test here to hold a Texas license.
Career Ladder and Pay
- 1 Registered Apprentice $49,254/yr
Learn on the job under a licensed plumber and log paid hours.
- 2 Tradesman / Journeyman Plumber $61,298/yr
Pass the exam and work with less supervision on service and installs.
- 3 Master Plumber $75,691/yr
Top license tier. Pull permits, design systems, and supervise crews.
- 4 Estimator / Foreman $75,691/yr
Bid jobs and run crews on larger residential and commercial work.
- 5 Shop Owner $85,675/yr
Hold the responsible master license and run your own plumbing company.
Licensing paths and timelines are general guidance for this trade in Texas. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or the relevant state agency.
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