Whether you’re starting out in the job market or considering a new career, it’s a smart idea to look into what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the easier it is to find training, certifications and strong career opportunities. In the last several 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 often very easy for plumbers to enjoy steady work throughout the country. But if you’re still uncertain, 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 bit more information, you can better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.

What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Skills Do They Need?

When most people think of plumbers, they picture 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 include 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 may 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 working on, 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 ensure efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Is the Process for Becoming a Professional Plumber?

There are several ways to make progress on becoming a professional plumber. Community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and even high school programs often 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 between 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is vital to ensure apprentice plumbers build strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they need to get the job done properly.

As plumbers become more experienced, they can advance through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through further 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.

What Is the Average Salary for Plumbers?

While the salary of plumbing jobs ultimately depends on location and experience, averages typically 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 frequently include paid on-the-job training, even apprentices are being compensated for their time. Meanwhile, applicants in many 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, particularly for specialized 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 a Good Career to Try?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs often 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 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 can 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 grow 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 Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?

There are many reasons plumbers are currently in 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 require installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
• An increase in 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 passed 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 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 Plover, why not get in touch with a local service company like Point Heating & Cooling? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 715-504-0533 today.