Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a new career, it’s a good idea to research 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 steady rise in demand for professional plumbers. While you might 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 find steady work throughout 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 provide 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 Are Plumbers Expected to Do? What Skillset Do They Need?

When most people think of plumbers, they picture residential services like resolving a clog or repairing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many kinds of plumbers, their skills can encompass a much broader 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 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 is about keeping things flowing smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often needed to function 24 hours a day. To maintain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Certified Plumbing Technician?

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 given a plumber apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are essentially a form of “plumbing school” and are designed 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 around 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 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.

What Salary Do Plumbers Get?

While the salary of plumbing jobs largely depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will vary from state to state. A unique distinction to make is that since plumbing careers frequently 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 over before they start receiving a salary and benefits.

What’s more, lots of plumbers provide emergency support for nights and weekends or complete extra projects for overtime pay. This increases compensation, particularly for advanced 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 Your Next Career?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs can involve lifting heavy objects, standing for long periods of time and navigating 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 provide 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 number 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, finding a permanent position might be simpler than you think.

Why Is the Demand for Plumbers So High?

There are many reasons plumbers are experiencing 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.
  • A larger number of construction and renovation projects: As construction starts back up, designing and installing new plumbing systems will 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 created a large stimulus package designed to improve 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 New Castle, why not get in touch with a local service company like Central Heating & Plumbing? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 724-401-1843 today.