Plumber Master
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/ 8 Hour
Wage/Hour Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Grade: A08
Updated: 4/2026
Qualifications
- Texas Operator's License
- Plumbing Master License
- PRV / Back Flow Testing License
- Minimum 3-5 years plumbing experience, school district preferred
- Available to respond to 24-hour emergency calls
- Ability to work flexible hours when necessary
- Knowledge of codes and ordinances concerning plumbing systems
- Ability to read blueprints and technical diagrams
- Strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills
- Effective communication and teamwork
- Ability to climb ladders and work at heights
- Physically able to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to comprehend written and verbal English
Primary Purpose
Perform skilled plumbing work in the installation, inspection and repair of plumbing systems across district facilities. Ensure all systems operate safely, efficiently and in compliance with local, state and federal codes.
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.
- Recognize and recommend when outside plumbing assistance is needed.
- Perform repairs and/or new jobs as required on approved work order.
- Recommend supplies and equipment for purchase.
- Practice all safety regulations related to trade.
- Report any safety hazards in a building.
- Examine district-owned facilities on a regular basis for purposes of preventive maintenance and safety.
- Maintain backflow prevention systems and required certifications.
- Efficient use of the District Work Order System.
- Adhere to current city and state code compliance and requirements.
- Responsible for monitoring district issued cell phone including all phone calls, voicemails, text messages and emails that pertain to district related business.
- Attend professional training/continued development training as requested.
- Occasional emergency work may be required.
- Perform annual gas line inspections
- Coordinate with other trades (HVAC, electrical, custodial)
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Equipment Used
Hand and power tools; pipe bender; propane torch; welding equipment; sewer rooter; heavy equipment, mini excavator, gas power water jet machine, including forklift, trencher, backhoe. Cell phone. 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.
- Position may be required to work at night.
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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