Growing a Career as a Plumber
Anyone who has ever experienced a clogged toilet will tell you how important it is to have a plumber. Not only do plumbers unclog pipes, they install and repair water heaters, dishwashers, garbage disposal units, sinks, toilets and so much more. Like many other trades, the career path to plumber typically involves a lengthy apprenticeship. Well-rounded plumbers have training that usually includes part classroom study and a great deal of “boots on the ground” practical experience working alongside an established plumber.
Plumber Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be facilitated through a number of resources, including: Associations, unions, groups and other industry-specific resources. Laypeople should be educated to the fact that while a functioning toilet is essential, plumbers are capable of so much more and a large part of their work is the regular maintenance to the pipes that bring in water, vital fluids and eliminate waste from your residence or business. Plumbing is a lucrative and versatile career, plumbers can be independent contractors or find meaningful work with many commercial, governmental or industrial employers. Plumbers can also feel secure in the knowledge that there are unions throughout North America to protect plumbers and make sure they aren’t put in dangerous situations.
Plumbers help clients with:
- Fixing and maintaining pipes
- Installing appliances
- Unclogging blockages
- Toilets
Plumber Salary
Considering it can be a hard and dirty job, most plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters deserve the very competitive wages they receive. The half a million plumbers at work in the USA, work hard for the $54,000+ median income they receive, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Luckily, there is seldom a shortage of work for plumbers, especially with such major situations like the strike of COVID-19 and recent toilet paper buying explosion.