Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a different 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 strong career opportunities. In the last several 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 providing an essential service, it’s frequently very easy for plumbers to enjoy steady work across the country. But if you’re still not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll learn more about the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to provide alongside common salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you can better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand recently.

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

When lots of people think of plumbers, they picture residential services such as resolving a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital for many types of plumbers, their duties can include a much wider 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 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 working on, their job prioritizes 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 complete training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Starting a Plumbing Career?

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 given a plumber apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are basically 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 monitored by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you participate in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is vital to ensure apprentice plumbers build strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done properly.

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 in their field. With these higher 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 frequently hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will differ from state to state. A unique distinction to make is that since plumbing careers regularly include 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, lots of plumbers offer emergency support for nights and weekends or take on 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 stable work is rare. 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 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 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 provide an invaluable service for countless homes, businesses and other commercial properties. It could be a lucrative career, particularly for specialists and master plumbers who are increasingly involved in the design and engineering of plumbing systems. Thanks to multiple factors, plumbing jobs are likely to grow for years to come. If you elect to start a career as a professional plumber, finding a permanent position might be easier than you think.

Why Did Plumbing Become So Popular?

There are lots of reasons plumbers are currently in high demand, such as:

  • Plumbing systems are a vital 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 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 created a comprehensive 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 an excellent 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 The Bay Area, why not get in touch with a local service company like Contra Costa Heating & AC? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 510-343-9841 today.