Whether you’re new to the job market or considering a different career, it’s a good idea to research what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the easier it is to find training, certifications and good career opportunities. In the last couple of years, there has been a steady rise in demand for trained 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 often 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 check out the skills plumbers should have 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 these days.

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

When most people think of plumbers, they think of residential services like removing a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are important for many types of plumbers, their skills can include 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 drinking 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 trained for, their job is about keeping things flowing steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often needed to work 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 make progress on becoming a professional plumber. Community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and even high school programs regularly offer core elements of the knowledge and training plumbers will need. Through these programs, people are granted a plumber apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are basically 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 may take anywhere between 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is vital to ensure apprentice plumbers possess strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they need to get the job done efficiently.

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 in their field. 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 ultimately depends on location and experience, averages frequently hover around more than $50,000 per year. This will differ from state to state. A unique distinction to make is that since plumbing careers regularly provide 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 finished before they start receiving a salary and benefits.

What’s more, many plumbers offer emergency support for nights and weekends or complete 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 fairly uncommon. 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 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 reduce 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, particularly 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 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 Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?

There are a number of reasons plumbers are currently in 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.
• More construction and renovation projects: As construction starts 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 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 part of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in Paxinos, why not get in touch with a local service company like LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 570-648-0748 today.