Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a different career, it’s a great idea to find out what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the easier it is to find training, certifications and strong career opportunities. In the last few years, there has been a steady rise in demand for trained plumbers. While you might not have considered plumbing jobs until now, this career path has a lot to offer.
As a skilled trade offering an essential service, it’s often very easy for plumbers to find steady work across the country. But if you’re still uncertain, let’s take a closer look. We’ll check out the skills plumbers should have and the services they’re expected to provide alongside typical salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you may better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.
What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Skillset Should They Have?
When lots of people think of plumbers, they picture residential services such as draining a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are important for many kinds of plumbers, their skills can include a much wider variety of services.
Their skill set includes a diverse range of services like repair, installation and maintenance for plumbing fixtures and equipment as well as the pipes themselves. These services may be for drinking water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers may also be trained to work with drainage systems, at water treatment plants and even in industrial manufacturing!
But whatever the plumber is working on, their job is about keeping things flowing steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to function 24 hours a day. To sustain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete training and professional certification.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Professional Plumber?
There are lots of ways to become a professional plumber. Community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and even high school programs often offer core elements of the knowledge and training plumbers will need. Through these programs, people are given a plumber apprenticeship.
These apprenticeships are basically a form of “plumbing school” and are designed to prepare you for full-time employment. They’ll offer in-classroom education as well as on-the-job training monitored by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you participate in, these apprenticeships may take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is vital to ensure apprentice plumbers have strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done properly.
As plumbers become more experienced, they can improve their services through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through advanced education and testing, a plumber can become a journeyman and even a master in their field. With these advanced certifications come greater responsibilities, but an increase in available salaries and benefits as well.
Do Plumbers Make Good Salaries?
While the salary of plumbing jobs ultimately depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 per year. This will differ from state to state. A unique distinction to make is that since plumbing careers often offer paid on-the-job training, even apprentices are being compensated for their time. Meanwhile, applicants in many other fields often have to wait until their education or training is finished before they start receiving a salary and benefits.
What’s more, many plumbers provide emergency support for nights and weekends or complete extra projects for overtime pay. This bolsters compensation, especially for specialized skills and certifications. And because plumbing is such an essential service, struggling to find stable work is fairly uncommon. These things make a career as a professional plumber an excellent option for those seeking reliable and consistent work.
Is Plumbing Your Next Career?
A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs may involve lifting heavy objects, standing for extended periods of time and navigating cramped spaces. And if a job takes place outdoors, poor or inclement weather can complicate the process. But by taking proper precautions, plumbers can reduce disruptions and ensure the benefits outweigh these concerns.
Professional plumbers are trained experts who offer an invaluable service for countless homes, businesses and other commercial properties. It may be a lucrative career, particularly for specialists and master plumbers who are more and more involved in the design and engineering of plumbing systems. Thanks to a variety of factors, plumbing jobs are likely to grow for years to come. If you elect to start a career as a professional plumber, finding a permanent position might be simpler than you think.
Why Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?
There are lots of reasons plumbers are in high demand, such as:
- Plumbing systems are a vital utility: Plumbing has existed for hundreds if not thousands of years, and that’s not going to change. As long as pipes, fixtures and plumbing systems need installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
- An increase in construction and renovation projects: As construction starts back up, designing and installing new plumbing systems will too. Additionally, advances in water conservation and plumbing technology ensures an active retrofitting aspect of the industry.
- The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently created a large stimulus package designed to improve key infrastructure such as roads and utilities. As new piping is built or old piping is replaced, expert plumbers will be leading the way.
As you can see, a career as a professional plumber can be a good opportunity. There is a high demand for quality plumbers in every corner of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in Mount Hope, why not get in touch with a local service company like Appalachian Heating? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 304-707-0600 today.
