Whether you’re starting out in the job market or interested in a new career, it’s a smart idea to find out what’s in demand. The higher the demand, the more likely 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 offering an essential service, it’s often very easy for plumbers to enjoy steady work across the country. But if you’re still uncertain, let’s take a closer look. We’ll review the skills plumbers should have and the services they’re expected to offer alongside average salaries and benefits. With a bit 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 imagine residential services such as removing a clog or replacing a leaky pipe. While those skills are beneficial for many types 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 can be for potable 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 is about keeping things flowing smoothly. Like other utilities, plumbing and piping systems are often required to work 24 hours a day. To maintain efficient and reliable plumbing, plumbers undergo training and professional certification.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Professional Plumber?

There are different ways to make progress on becoming 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 enroll in, these apprenticeships might take anywhere around 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 proceed with formal certification and accreditation programs. Through advanced 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 ultimately depends on location and experience, averages usually 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 often 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, many plumbers offer emergency support for nights and weekends or take on extra projects for overtime pay. This bolsters compensation, especially 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 a Good Career to Try?

A plumber should be in good physical condition, as jobs can involve lifting heavy objects, standing for extended 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 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 multiple 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, finding a permanent position might be easier than you think.

Why Are Plumbers in Such High Demand?

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 need 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 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 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 Albuquerque, why not get in touch with a local service company like I-Deal HVAC? You can find out the details about available positions by giving us a call at 505-445-1250 today.