Whether you’re new to the job market or looking for a new career, it’s a smart 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 steady 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 often very easy for plumbers to enjoy steady work throughout the country. But if you’re still on the fence, let’s take a closer look. We’ll learn more about the skills plumbers should have and the services they’re expected to offer alongside common salaries and benefits. With a little more information, you might better understand why plumbing jobs are in such high demand these days.

What Are Plumbers Expected to Do? What Experience Should They Have?

When lots of people think of plumbers, they picture residential services like resolving a clog or replacing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many kinds 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 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 required to function 24 hours a day. To sustain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Professional Plumber?

There are different ways to become 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 granted 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 enroll in, these apprenticeships may take anywhere close to 2 to 5 years to finish. This time is necessary to ensure apprentice plumbers have strong competency concerning the tools, procedures and safety precautions they use 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 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 per year. This will vary from state to state. A key distinction to make is that since plumbing careers often provide 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 over before they start receiving a salary and benefits.

What’s more, many plumbers provide emergency support for nights and weekends or take on 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 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 takes place 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 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 grow for years to come. If you elect to pursue a career as a professional plumber, getting a permanent position might be easier than you think.

Why Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?

There are lots of reasons plumbers are experiencing 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 require installation and servicing, trained plumbers will be there to help.
  • More 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 element to the industry.
  • The recent infrastructure stimulus package: The U.S. government recently created a large stimulus package designed to bolster 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 Moline, why not get in touch with a local service company like J.L. Brady Company LLC? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 309-517-7511 today.