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 more likely it is to find training, certifications and good career opportunities. In the last couple of years, there has been a sharp 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 offering an essential service, it’s often very easy for plumbers to enjoy 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 these days.

What Are Plumbers Expected to Do? What Skillset Do They Need?

When most people think of plumbers, they think of residential services like resolving a clog or repairing 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 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 smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to function 24 hours a day. To sustain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo 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 given 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 supervised by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you enroll in, these apprenticeships may take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is important to ensure apprentice plumbers have strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they need to get the job done properly.

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 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 mostly depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will differ from state to state. A key distinction to make is that since plumbing careers frequently offer 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, 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 fairly uncommon. These things make a career as a professional plumber an excellent option for people seeking reliable and consistent work.

Is Plumbing the Right Choice for Me?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs often involve lifting heavy objects, standing for long periods of time and navigating cramped spaces. And if a job takes place outdoors, poor or inclement weather can affect 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 can 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 elect to pursue a career as a professional plumber, finding a permanent position might be simpler than you think.

Why Did Plumbing Become So Popular?

There are multiple reasons plumbers are experiencing 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 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 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 Shamokin and Sunbury, 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.