Whether you’re starting out in the job market or considering 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 couple of years, there has been a sharp rise in demand for trained 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 often very easy for plumbers to find steady work throughout the country. But if you’re still not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll review the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to provide alongside average salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you might better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.
What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Skills Should They Have?
When most people think of plumbers, they imagine residential services like removing a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital for many types 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 can 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 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 frequently 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 supervised by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you enroll in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere around 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is necessary to ensure apprentice plumbers have strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done effectively.
As plumbers become more experienced, they can advance through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through advanced education and testing, a plumber can become a journeyman and even a master at their trade. With these advanced certifications come more complex responsibilities, but an increase in available salaries and benefits as well.
What Salary Do Plumbers Get?
While the salary of plumbing jobs largely depends on location and experience, averages typically hover around more than $50,000 per year. This will vary from state to state. A unique distinction to make is that since plumbing careers regularly 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 over 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 advanced skills and certifications. And because plumbing is such an essential service, struggling to find stable work is rare. These things make a career as a professional plumber an excellent option for people seeking reliable and consistent work.
Is Plumbing the Right Choice for Me?
A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs often involve lifting heavy objects, standing for extended periods of time and working in cramped spaces. And if a job takes place outdoors, poor or inclement weather can affect 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 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 increase for years to come. If you elect to pursue a career as a professional plumber, getting a permanent position might be easier than you think.
Why Did Plumbing Become So Popular?
There are lots of reasons plumbers are experiencing 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.
- 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 aspect of the industry.
- The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently created a comprehensive stimulus package designed to bolster key infrastructure such as roads and utilities. As new piping is built or old piping is replaced, experienced 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 Kansas City, MO and Lansing, KS , why not get in touch with a local service company like Everest Heating & Cooling? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 913-845-9463 today.