The outlook for a career in plumbing

Image Source: LaPensee Plumbing

A career in plumbing definitely has a good outlook. Plumbers jobs are expected to grow by 6 per cent from 2006 to 2016 according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. They also continue to state that the average plumber has an income of $47,000 a year. Another source also states that Job opportunities for plumbers are expected to rise more than 15 per cent through 2018. These growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2018. Source: "National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix," this is a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics. Those with welding experience may even enjoy even more job opportunities.

Plumbers enjoy the freedom of working in old and new houses, construction sites and commercial buildings as they install or repair various plumbing systems. With new houses and other buildings being erected daily while on the other hand old houses constantly need plumbing repairs, plumbers are often in high demand. They therefore have the upper hand in deciding the pay for their services. No wonder they make so much money. These tradesmen work for mechanical and plumbing contractors, industrial, commercial, and government employers mostly for new constructions, repair, modernization, or maintenance. Many plumbers however, are self-employed and run their own businesses.

A plumber needs to acquire skills that will enable them to do a job effectively and efficiently. They often learn; the important skills plumbers use on the job every day, the latest building codes, techniques, and standards of the plumbing business, how to read and interpret blueprints and floor plans, how to use soldering tools, power tools, and hand tools and about the different types of pipes and plumbing systems. They may learn this in college or through a plumbing apprenticeship program. In most cases, those who opt for the apprenticeship scheme, learn more and are equipped with trade secrets or “tricks of the trade”.

Although plumbers may find themselves unemployed between construction projects, they are assured of unending work flow even when there is no new construction activity or when they are low.  This is in comparison to other trades in the construction industry. Then again, this does not also mean that they will always face instability. Interestingly, even cash-strapped clients and businesses are more likely to view plumbing as a top priority over other construction services. There are always existing systems that require maintenance, repair or total replacement. They ones who get most jobs are those who are reliable and can be trusted by their clients to always deliver results.

One should be prepared to work for long hours, late nights and even over the weekends if they decide to join this career. These plumbing professionals often find themselves hunched over drains, crawling into tight spaces or hauling heavy equipment most of their time while working. Nowadays, they are also seen with laptops at their working sites. This may be attributed to the fact that some of the modern systems are computerised. Therefore, for you to be a plumber, you need to have computer knowledge in order to meet the industry’s demand as well as cope with the new technology.