Whether you’re starting out in the job market or considering a different career, it’s a good idea to find out 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 trained 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 throughout the country. But if you’re still on the fence, 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 can better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand right now.

What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Experience Should They Have?

When lots of people think of plumbers, they imagine residential services like draining a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital for many types of plumbers, their duties can encompass a much broader 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 could 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 prioritizes keeping things flowing steadily. 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 Starting a Plumbing Career?

There are several 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 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 supervised by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you participate in, these apprenticeships may take anywhere close to 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 effectively.

As plumbers become more experienced, they can proceed with 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 higher 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 frequently hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will vary 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, many plumbers offer 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 steady work is rare. 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 working in cramped spaces. And if a job takes place outdoors, poor or inclement weather can complicate 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 variety of factors, plumbing jobs are likely to increase for years to come. If you decide to pursue a career as a professional plumber, finding a permanent position might be easier than you think.

Why Did Plumbing Become So Popular?

There are multiple 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.
  • 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 aspect of the industry.
  • The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently created a large 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 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.