Whether you’re starting out in the job market or considering a different career, it’s a good 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 few years, there has been a steady 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 providing an essential service, it’s frequently very easy for plumbers to enjoy steady work across 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 offer alongside average salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you may better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.
What Are Plumbers Expected to Do? What Skillset Do They Need?
When lots of people think of plumbers, they imagine residential services like draining a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are important for many kinds of plumbers, their skills can include a much wider 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 trained for, their job focuses on 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 complete training and professional certification.
What Is the Process for Becoming a Certified Plumbing Technician?
There are different 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 basically 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 could take anywhere around 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is necessary to ensure apprentice plumbers possess strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done properly.
As plumbers become more experienced, they can proceed with 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 more complex responsibilities, but an increase in available salaries and benefits as well.
Do Plumbers Make Good Salaries?
While the salary of plumbing jobs largely depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 per year. This will differ from state to state. An important 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 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 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 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 the Right Choice for Me?
A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs can involve lifting heavy objects, standing for extended periods of time and navigating cramped spaces. And if a job is outdoors, poor or inclement weather can impact 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 more and more involved in the design and engineering of plumbing systems. Thanks to a number 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, getting a permanent position might be simpler than you think.
Why Did Plumbing Become So Popular?
There are lots of reasons plumbers are currently in high demand, such as:
- 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 element to the industry.
- The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently passed a large stimulus package designed to repair key infrastructure like 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 good 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 Kankakee, why not get in touch with a local service company like Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 815-933-8213 today.