Whether you’re new to the job market or considering a different career, it’s a smart 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 trained 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 enjoy steady work across the country. But if you’re still not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll review the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside common salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you may better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.

What Services Do Plumbers Provide? What Skills 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 beneficial 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 could be for potable water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers can 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 is about keeping things flowing steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to function 24 hours a day. To maintain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Professional Plumber?

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 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 between 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is necessary to ensure apprentice plumbers build strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they need to get the job done effectively.

As plumbers become more experienced, they can improve their services 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 Salary Do Plumbers Get?

While the salary of plumbing jobs largely depends on location and experience, averages typically hover around more than $50,000 per 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 a large number of 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 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 those seeking reliable and consistent work.

Is Plumbing a Good Career to Try?

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 takes place outdoors, poor or inclement weather can affect 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 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 lots of reasons plumbers are in high demand, including:

  • 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 require 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 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, 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 Libertyville, why not get in touch with a local service company like TopTec? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 847-362-0262 today.