Whether you’re starting out in the job market or looking for a different career, it’s a great idea to look into 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 steady 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 offering an essential service, it’s often very easy for plumbers to find steady work across the country. But if you’re still uncertain, let’s take a closer look. We’ll check out the skills plumbers should have and the services they’re expected to provide alongside average 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 Skillset Do They Need?

When most people think of plumbers, they think of residential services like resolving a clog or fixing a leaky pipe. While those skills are vital 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 may be for drinking water, gas lines, wastewater and much more. Depending on the specific discipline, plumbers may 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 focuses on keeping things flowing smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to function 24 hours a day. To ensure efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers complete 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 given 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 monitored by experienced plumbers. Depending on the program you enroll in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere around 2 to 5 years to complete. 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 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 greater 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. An important 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 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, lots of 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 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 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 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 can be a lucrative career, especially for specialists and master plumbers who are more and more 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 decide to start a career as a professional plumber, getting a permanent position might be easier than you think.

Why Is the Demand for Plumbers So High?

There are a number of reasons plumbers are experiencing high demand, including:

  • 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 created a large stimulus package designed to repair 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 great opportunity. There is a high demand for quality plumbers in every part of the country, with competitive compensation and easy access to professional development programs. To learn about local plumbing jobs in Manassas, why not get in touch with a local service company like Air-Right Energy Design? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 703-260-1148 today.