In the US, there is a shortage of skilled tradespeople. Therefore, these professionals are in high demand. The high demand does not come with sufficient supply, though.
There aren’t enough licensed professionals to meet the work demand. Those who are already in the profession often find themselves overwhelmed with work.
Plumbing is one of those professions where the supply is lower than the demand. On top of that, plumbers have a high earning potential.
In most states, the plumbing license process is uniform, allowing plumbers to get their licenses effortlessly. All of these aspects make plumbing a highly recommendable profession for many.
Why should I choose plumbing as a career?
There are many reasons why one should consider choosing plumbing as a career. There are many opportunities that plumbers get on the US.
On top of that, the high demand for the profession makes it easier to get a license. Among the top reasons why people should become a plumber, the top five are as below.
High earnings
Plumbers make a decent income from their jobs. The median wage for plumbers in the US is almost $26 per hour. It makes the job highly lucrative for any individual.
These rates may go as high as $52 per hour, which is significantly above the median in the US. Plumbers’ earnings depend on the state where they work and their skills.
However, most plumbers can expect a decent income from their work, even in smaller states. In the US, apprentice plumbers make an average of $36,676 from their work. One level higher, journeyman plumbers can earn $58,684 per year on average.
Lastly, master plumbers can earn $62,553 in the plumbing profession on average. While these are all the median salaries, they can be significantly higher for more experienced plumbers.
The higher earning potential in plumbing should choose by choosing it as a career straightforwardly. Plumbers don’t have many on-the-job expenses, making them more likely to profit.
Advancement opportunities
Unlike some other trades, plumbers have more advancement opportunities. In most states, plumbers start with an apprenticeship program.
There, they learn the basics of the plumbing trade and work on their skills. Once they have the knowledge and experience necessary to operate, they can get a journeyman plumbing license.
Journeyman plumbers can work on advanced tasks while also earning more money. In some states, this level may be the highest level of plumbing licenses. In others, however, they can also advance to master plumbing licenses.
Master plumbers are the most experienced people in the trade. These can earn more while also working on advanced contracts.
However, advancement opportunities don’t end there. Plumbers can also branch off and start their own business ventures.
In most states, they can obtain a contractor license, which allows them to work on independent contracts. Overall, the opportunities for advancement are significantly high in the plumbing profession.
Independence
Professional plumbers are more independent in the work they take. They have significantly more options available, which adds to their independence. Plumbers don’t have to work under a single company or union.
They can work with any company they want once they have enough experience. On top of that, they can also start their own plumbing businesses, which adds to their independence.
However, independence doesn’t only relate to job opportunities. Plumbers also get more flexibility with their schedules and the work they do.
There are several subsections of plumbing in which they can get a specialization. It allows them to work on custom contracts and even increases the earnings potential. Overall, plumbers are more independent in their work.
Less cost
Becoming a plumber does not cost much. Most community colleges or vocational schools offer plumbing programs. There are several programs where plumbers can train and make money at the same time.
It allows them to finance their studies while also learning the fundamentals of the trade. Choosing plumbing as a career is less costly than other mainstream options.
On top of that, plumbers don’t pile up on student loans. Sometimes, there may be no loan, making it a highly lucrative career path.
If they go for other career paths, they have to bear more costs and gather debt. Therefore, any future earnings these professionals make are also free from any debt payments.
Job security
Plumbers have more job security compared to other professions. Plumbing contractors will always be in demand. Similarly, the demand does not get affected by external factors.
Therefore, they are always secure in their job. As mentioned, the supply for plumbing is lower than the demand, which makes choosing a plumbing career a secure option for people.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the plumbing trade is growing annually. On top of that, as plumbers gather more experience, they can get more opportunities.
The nature of the job also makes it highly likely that people can’t do their own plumbing work. It means they will have to hire plumbers to do so. Therefore, plumbing is a highly secure job choice for many.
Conclusion
Plumbing is one of the best career choices for many people. The profession comes with various benefits for plumbers which is why it is so popular.
Some of these benefits include high earnings, advancement opportunities, independence, less cost and job security.