Whether you’re new to the job market or interested in a different career, it’s a great idea to look into what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the easier it is to find training, certifications and good career opportunities. In the last several years, there has been a steady rise in demand for professional plumbers. While you might not have considered plumbing jobs until now, this career path has a lot to offer.
As a skilled trade providing 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 learn more about the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside common salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you can 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 imagine residential services such as removing a clog or replacing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many types of plumbers, their skills can encompass a much broader 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 might be for potable water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers could 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 smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often needed to function 24 hours a day. To sustain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete 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 routinely offer core elements of the knowledge and training plumbers will need. Through these programs, people are granted 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 participate in, these apprenticeships will take anywhere between 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is necessary to ensure apprentice plumbers build strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done right.
As plumbers become more experienced, they can improve their services through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through additional 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 Is the Average Salary for Plumbers?
While the salary of plumbing jobs mostly depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will differ from state to state. An important distinction to make is that since plumbing careers regularly include 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, lots of plumbers offer emergency support for nights and weekends or complete 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 those 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 working in cramped spaces. And if a job is outdoors, poor or inclement weather can complicate 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 may 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 decide to pursue 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 many reasons plumbers are experiencing 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.
- 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 element to the industry.
- The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently passed a comprehensive stimulus package designed to repair 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 corner of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in Los Angeles, why not get in touch with a local service company like AZ Air Conditioning and Heating? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 800-296-5088 today.