Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a different career, it’s a great idea to research what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the more likely it is to find training, certifications and good career opportunities. In the last couple of years, there has been a sharp 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 across the country. But if you’re still not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll check out the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside average salaries and benefits. With a bit more information, you might better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand recently.
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 fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are important for many types 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 could be for potable water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers can also be trained to work with drainage systems, at water treatment plants and even in industrial manufacturing!
But whatever the plumber is trained for, their job is about keeping things flowing steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to work 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 multiple 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 granted 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 supervised by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you enroll in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is vital to ensure apprentice plumbers have strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they need to get the job done right.
As plumbers become more experienced, they can proceed with 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 higher certifications come more complex 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 usually 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 often offer 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 finished before they start receiving a salary and benefits.
What’s more, lots of plumbers offer emergency support for nights and weekends or take on extra projects for overtime pay. This increases compensation, particularly for specialized skills and certifications. And because plumbing is such an essential service, struggling to find steady work is rare. These things make a career as a professional plumber an excellent option for people seeking reliable and consistent work.
Is Plumbing a Good Career to Try?
A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs can involve lifting heavy objects, standing for long periods of time and navigating cramped spaces. And if a job is outdoors, poor or inclement weather can impact the process. But by taking proper precautions, plumbers can avoid disruptions and ensure the benefits outweigh these concerns.
Professional plumbers are trained experts who provide 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 increasingly involved in the design and engineering of plumbing systems. Thanks to a number of factors, plumbing jobs are likely to be on the rise for years to come. If you choose to start a career as a professional plumber, getting a permanent position might be easier than you think.
Why Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?
There are a number of reasons plumbers are currently in high demand, such as:
- Plumbing systems are a necessary 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.
- More construction and renovation projects: As construction starts back up, designing and installing new plumbing systems should too. Additionally, advances in water conservation and plumbing technology ensures an active retrofitting element to the industry.
- The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently passed a large stimulus package designed to repair key infrastructure like 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 fantastic 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 Reinholds, why not get in touch with a local service company like County Line Mechanical LLC? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 717-216-0846 today.