OCCUPATION: PLUMBER

Name: Adolph Novello

Company: Pacific Plumbing Co. of Santa Ana

Thumbs up: “I like work with my hands. I like to think jobs through. It’s a challenge. It’s not what everyone thinks it is--that you go and put pipes together. There’s a lot of schooling involved.”

Thumbs down: “A lot of people are getting into it for the money and don’t really have a pride in the job.”

Next step: Superintendent, who plans the job and decides how many people to hire. Or estimator, who puts together the contractor’s bid for a job.

Salary range: Depending on experience, wages range from $7 to $24.75 an hour for union workers and from $5 to $17 an hour for non-union plumbers.

Fringe benefits: Most employees receive medical and life insurance, retirement plans and dental insurance. Many receive paid vacation. Some receive paid sick leave.

Educational and training requirements: High school diploma or equivalent. Many plumbers acquire their skills by working for several years as a helper to experienced plumbers or pipe fitters.

Size of work force: Medium. In Orange County, 3,000 to 3,500 people, or 0.3% of the labor force, work as plumbers.

Expected demand: The state forecast is for faster than average growth for the profession through 1992.

Job description: Plumbers--and their companion professions, pipe fitters and steam fitters--assemble, install, alter and repair pipe systems that carry water, steam, air and other liquids and gases.

For more information: Call or visit the job service window at any office of the state Employment Development Division. There are offices in Anaheim, Fullerton, andSanta Ana.Employers are also invited to call with job openings.