Whether you’re starting out in the job market or considering a different career, it’s a great idea to research what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the easier it is to find training, certifications and good career opportunities. In the last couple of years, there has been a sharp 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 providing an essential service, it’s often very easy for plumbers to find steady work throughout the country. But if you’re still on the fence, let’s take a closer look. We’ll review the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside average salaries and benefits. With a bit more information, you can better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand recently.

What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Skillset Do They Need?

When most people think of plumbers, they think of residential services such as draining a clog or replacing a leaky pipe. While those skills are important for many types of plumbers, their duties can include 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 could be for potable water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers could 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 prioritizes keeping things flowing smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often expected to function 24 hours a day. To maintain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Is the Process for Becoming a Certified Plumbing Technician?

There are several ways to make progress on becoming 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 essentially 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 might take anywhere around 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is important to ensure apprentice plumbers build strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done effectively.

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 advanced certifications come more complex responsibilities, but an increase in available salaries and benefits as well.

Is Plumbing a High-Salary Career?

While the salary of plumbing jobs ultimately depends on location and experience, averages usually hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will differ from state to state. An important 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 over before they start receiving a salary and benefits.

What’s more, many plumbers provide emergency support for nights and weekends or complete extra projects for overtime pay. This increases compensation, especially for specialized 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 often 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 affect 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 more and more involved in the design and engineering of plumbing systems. Thanks to multiple factors, plumbing jobs are likely to be on the rise 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 Is the Demand for Plumbers So High?

There are lots of 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 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 bolster 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 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 Pella, why not get in touch with a local service company like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 641-628-3621 today.