Whether you’re new to the job market or considering a new career, it’s a great idea to find out 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 offering 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 check out the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside typical salaries and benefits. With a bit more information, you may better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand right now.

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

When most people think of plumbers, they think of residential services such as resolving a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital for many kinds of plumbers, their duties 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 can 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 needed to function 24 hours a day. To ensure efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Professional Plumber?

There are several 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 granted a plumber apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are essentially 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 may 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 need to get the job done effectively.

As plumbers become more experienced, they can improve their services through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through further education and testing, a plumber can become a journeyman and even a master at their trade. With these higher certifications come more complex 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 frequently 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 regularly 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, lots of plumbers provide emergency support for nights and weekends or take on extra projects for overtime pay. This increases compensation, especially for advanced 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 Your Next Career?

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 takes place outdoors, poor or inclement weather can affect the process. But by taking proper precautions, plumbers can reduce 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 can be a lucrative career, especially for specialists and master plumbers who are more and more 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 elect 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 multiple reasons plumbers are currently in high demand, including:

  • 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 require 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 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 improve 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 an excellent 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 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.