Whether you’re new to the job market or considering 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 several 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 providing an essential service, it’s often very easy for plumbers to enjoy steady work throughout 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 bit more information, you might better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand right now.

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

When most people think of plumbers, they imagine residential services like removing a clog or replacing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many types of plumbers, their duties can encompass 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 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 smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often needed to function 24 hours a day. To ensure efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete training and professional certification.

What Is the Process for Starting a Plumbing Career?

There are several 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 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 participate in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere between 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 improve their services through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through advanced 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.

Is Plumbing a High-Salary Career?

While the salary of plumbing jobs largely depends on location and experience, averages typically 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 regularly provide 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 increases compensation, particularly 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 the Right Choice for Me?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs may involve lifting heavy objects, standing for long periods of time and working in 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 offer 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 a variety of factors, plumbing jobs are likely to increase for years to come. If you decide to start a career as a professional plumber, finding a permanent position might be simpler than you think.

Why Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?

There are many reasons plumbers are in high demand, including:

  • 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 require installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
  • An increase in 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 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 an excellent 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 Edmond, why not get in touch with a local service company like Prudhom Mechanical? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 405-888-8606 today.