How to Start a Plumbing Career
You’re at a loss. You’re either stuck in a job you hate, or trying to find a career that works for you. While it may be unlikely, have you considered a plumbing career? It may be the job you’re looking for, and there is a dire need for more plumbers in the United States. So before you rule it out, check out this information on starting a plumbing career.
Why Should You Start a Plumbing Career?
It may seem like a long shot, but getting into the plumber industry is not as difficult as you might think. Most states require a high school diploma and you to be 18… and that’s it. At that point, anyone can begin plumbing courses, and look for a job as a Plumber’s Helper, or Plumbers’s Apprentice. It’ll take time, and you will have to work your way up, but it is ideal for someone who isn’t interested in the life of an academic, and learns well with hands on material.
Types of Plumbing Jobs: What Kind of Jobs Do Plumbers Do?
So what do plumbers do? You may not realize, but plumbers do more than just unclogging toilets. Everything from digging ditches to designing new pipe layouts for lots, being a plumber actually offers a lot of variety in your day-to-day activities. That means you have to be versatile. You don’t get to choose that you only want to work on one thing, especially when you are starting out. You’ll have to meet with new people, sell your services, be in good physical shape, and be able to crunch numbers and weigh decisions in the moment.
As you gain experience, you may realize that there are actually different plumbing jobs. You may be happy as a standard Plumber. This means that you’ll be working residential or commercial, usually with lighter pipes to handle small volumes of liquid. However, if you decide to take up a role as a Pipefitter, then you’ll mostly be working on large scale commercial projects, that require heavier pipes to handle large volume. These larger scale jobs benefit from higher pay, and from typically having the materials delivered to the site. Finally, a Steamfitter will be similar to a Pipefitter, but will also involve setting up pipes to transport gases.
Plumbing Salary Expectations: How Much do Plumbers Make?
Still here? Good. Because now here’s the part everyone has been waiting for; how much do plumbers make?
There are three levels to being a plumber, and so, there are three salary levels.
The Plumber Apprentice salary can be anywhere from $13,000 to $25,000. You’ll work side-by-side with a Master as you are learning the trade. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but a lot of that comes from taking up the master’s time and experience. You’ll essentially be receiving a free education, and so the payment is a supplement.
After 4 to 5 years, when you are able to graduate to a Journeyman, you’ll be able to start taking jobs on your own. That means a larger paycheck. Pay generally starts somewhere from $25,000 to $40,000 a year, but you’ll be earning the average yearly salary of a plumber of your state
If you work hard, and have the drive, you can eventually earn the rank of Master. This means you are recognized by the state, can own your own business, and employ other plumbers. This salary can vary greatly, but it is possible to earn well over $100,000 a year.
This may have you thinking, “Where are the plumbing jobs near me?” But wait one minute, because you can’t just jump in.
Local Orlando Classes & Online Courses
There are a couple of ways to get into a plumbing career. The first being a plumbing school. This will give you a solid foundation of information before you leap into hands-on work, however, it can cost anywhere from $1,000 for online courses to $20,000 for a 2-year Associate’s degree. Florida Technical College offers a Plumbing Degree Program, so take a look if you are interested, or try ePlumbing Courses and learn from home.
Apprenticeships
If you would like to try an Apprenticeship, take a look at the Orange Technical College Plumbing Apprenticeship. It is a nationally recognized certificate program that will provide paid work and free classes. After completing the program, and passing the test, you will be recognized as a Journeyman and entitled to all of the benefits that includes. The perfect place to start your new plumbing career.