Whether you’re new to the job market or considering a different career, it’s a great idea to find out what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the easier 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 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 not sure, let’s take a closer look. We’ll review the skills plumbers need and the services they’re expected to offer alongside typical salaries and benefits. With a bit more information, you might better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.

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

When lots of people think of plumbers, they imagine residential services like draining a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital for many kinds of plumbers, their skills can encompass a much wider 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 may 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 prioritizes keeping things flowing steadily. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often needed to function 24 hours a day. To ensure efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Starting a Plumbing Career?

There are different ways to become a professional plumber. Community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and even high school programs often 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 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 may take anywhere between 2 to 5 years to complete. This time is vital to ensure apprentice plumbers have strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use to get the job done efficiently.

As plumbers become more experienced, they can advance through formal certification and accreditation programs. Through further 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.

What Is the Average Salary for Plumbers?

While the salary of plumbing jobs largely depends on location and experience, averages typically hover around more than $50,000 each year. This will vary from state to state. A key distinction to make is that since plumbing careers frequently offer 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, lots of plumbers provide 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 those seeking reliable and consistent work.

Is Plumbing Your Next Career?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs may 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 avoid 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, especially for specialists and master plumbers who are increasingly 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 elect to pursue a career as a professional plumber, getting a permanent position might be simpler than you think.

Why Is the Demand for Plumbers So High?

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

  • 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 require installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
  • An increase in construction and renovation projects: As construction starts back up, designing and installing new plumbing systems should 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 comprehensive stimulus package designed to bolster 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 corner of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in Bend, why not get in touch with a local service company like Tri County Climate Control LLC? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 541-238-2797 today.