Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a new career, it’s a great idea to look into what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the more likely 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 frequently very easy for plumbers to find steady work throughout 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 bit more information, you can better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand right now.
What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Skills Do They Need?
When lots of people think of plumbers, they picture residential services like removing a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many kinds of plumbers, their skills can include a much broader variety of services.
Their skill set includes a diverse set of services like repair, installation and maintenance for plumbing fixtures and equipment as well as the pipes themselves. These services can be for drinking water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers might 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 prioritizes keeping things flowing smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to work 24 hours a day. To ensure efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.
What Is the Process for Becoming a Professional Plumber?
There are different ways to make progress on becoming a professional plumber. Community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and even high school programs regularly 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 structured 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 could take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is important to ensure apprentice plumbers possess strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they need to get the job done right.
As plumbers become more experienced, they can advance through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through further 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.
What Is the Average Salary for Plumbers?
While the salary of plumbing jobs ultimately depends on location and experience, averages often hover around more than $50,000 per year. This will vary from state to state. A key distinction to make is that since plumbing careers frequently provide paid on-the-job training, even apprentices are being compensated for their time. Meanwhile, applicants in a large number of other fields often have to wait until their education or training is complete before they start receiving a salary and benefits.
What’s more, many plumbers offer emergency support for nights and weekends or complete extra projects for overtime pay. This bolsters compensation, particularly for specialized skills and certifications. And because plumbing is such an essential service, struggling to find steady 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 a Good Career to Try?
A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs may involve lifting heavy objects, standing for extended periods of time and working in cramped spaces. And if a job is outdoors, poor or inclement weather can impact the process. But by taking proper precautions, plumbers can minimize 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 can be a lucrative career, especially for specialists and master plumbers who are increasingly involved in the design and engineering of plumbing systems. Thanks to a number of factors, plumbing jobs are likely to grow for years to come. If you decide 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 currently in high demand, such as:
- Plumbing systems are a needed 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 require installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
- A larger number of construction and renovation projects: As construction winds back up, designing and installing new plumbing systems should 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 passed a large stimulus package designed to strengthen 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 part of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in the Bay Area, why not get in touch with a local service company like Contra Costa Heating & AC? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 510-343-9841 today.