Whether you’re starting out in the job market or considering a new career, it’s a good idea to find out what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the more likely it is to find training, certifications and good career opportunities. In the last few years, there has been a sharp rise in demand for professional plumbers. While you may 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 enjoy steady work across the country. But if you’re still not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll review 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 recently.

What Are Plumbers Expected to Do? What Skills Should They Have?

When most people think of plumbers, they picture residential services like resolving a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many kinds of plumbers, their duties can include a much wider 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 might be for drinking 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 focuses on keeping things flowing steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often expected to function 24 hours a day. To maintain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Certified Plumbing Technician?

There are lots of ways to become a professional plumber. Community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and even high school programs frequently offer core elements of the knowledge and training plumbers will need. Through these programs, people are given a plumber apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are essentially a form of “plumbing school” and are set up 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 enroll in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to finish. 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 efficiently.

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.

Is Plumbing a High-Salary Career?

While the salary of plumbing jobs mostly depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will vary 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 a large number of other fields often have to wait until their education or training is over before they start receiving a salary and benefits.

What’s more, many plumbers provide 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 stable work is fairly uncommon. These things make a career as a professional plumber an excellent option for anyone 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 avoid 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 could 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 variety of factors, plumbing jobs are likely to be on the rise for years to come. If you choose to pursue a career as a professional plumber, finding a permanent position might be simpler than you think.

Why Is the Demand for Plumbers So High?

There are many reasons plumbers are in high demand, including:

  • 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 need installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
  • More construction and renovation projects: As construction winds 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 passed a large stimulus package designed to bolster 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 great 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 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.