Whether you’re new to the job market or interested in a new career, it’s a great 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 couple of 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 frequently 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 check out the skills plumbers should have and the services they’re expected to provide alongside typical salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you may better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand recently.

What Are Plumbers Expected to Do? What Skills Should They Have?

When lots of people think of plumbers, they imagine residential services such as resolving a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital 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 can 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 is about keeping things flowing smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often expected to work 24 hours a day. To maintain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Is the Process for Becoming a Professional Plumber?

There are lots of 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 granted 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 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 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 advance through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through advanced education and testing, a plumber can become a journeyman and even a master in their field. 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 largely depends on location and experience, averages typically 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 often 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 finished 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 bolsters 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 people seeking reliable and consistent work.

Is Plumbing Your Next Career?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs may involve lifting heavy objects, standing for extended periods of time and working in 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 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, finding a permanent position might be easier than you think.

Why Did Plumbing Become So Popular?

There are many 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.
  • A larger number of 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 passed a large stimulus package designed to improve 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 Beckley, why not get in touch with a local service company like Appalachian Heating? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 304-707-0600 today.