Whether you’re starting out in the job market or interested in a different career, it’s a smart 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 steady 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 across the country. But if you’re still not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll check out the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside typical salaries and benefits. With a bit more information, you may 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 think of residential services such as resolving a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are important 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 may be for drinking water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers might 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 steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often needed to work 24 hours a day. To sustain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Starting a Plumbing Career?

There are different 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 essentially 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 participate in, these apprenticeships could take anywhere close to 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 use to get the job done efficiently.

As plumbers become more experienced, they can advance through 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 largely depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 per year. This will vary 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 complete 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 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 those 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 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 minimize 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 could 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 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 Is the Demand for Plumbers So High?

There are many reasons plumbers are in high demand, such as:

  • Plumbing systems are a needed 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 starts back up, designing and installing new plumbing systems should 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 such as roads and utilities. As new piping is built or old piping is replaced, expert 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 corner of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in Sandpoint, why not get in touch with a local service company like Age Heating & Cooling? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 208-603-2210 today.