Plumbing may not seem like the most glamorous field to work in. When most people think of plumbers, they will probably think of people who come into your house and fix your sink or your toilet. However, the work of a plumber involves a lot more than just that. Plumbers can also help to install new water systems entirely, which is significantly more strenuous work. Installing a brand new water system is something that a lot of new houses need, and it requires intimate and rock solid technical knowledge in order to do properly. Plumbers are actually very important people whenever someone is looking to renovate or construct a house. They do a lot more than just unclog toilets.
Aside from the lame image that plumbing may have, some people may also feel discouraged from entering this field because of the pay. To work in something like plumbing, you don’t always have to go to college. Does that mean that you can only expect a meager paycheck at the end of every month? In this article, I’m not just looking to dispel rumors about plumbing as a profession. I’m going to try to educate you as to what a plumber actually makes, while talking about how factors like experience may be able to make that salary go even higher. For those who are interested in becoming a plumber, I’ll share my knowledge on what someone actually has to do in order to become a part of this exciting profession.
Average Plumber Salary – $51,610
The average plumber makes about $51,610 per year, which is a respectable amount of money for a person to make. Although you may not think of plumbing to be on the same level as other forms of engineering, a plumber still possesses certain technical knowledge that the average person just doesn’t have. Sure, you may know how to unclog your bathtub, but most people are left helpless in the face of greater problems. Plumbers are the people who you go to when you encounter these issues. Although plumbers are needed just about everywhere, they are in much greater demand in larger cities like Seattle, Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles. These cities typically trend younger, which means that a lot of the people living there may not have much knowledge in plumbing at all. If you live in one of these cities, you should have a much easier time finding work and you should be able to work at a higher rate.
Next, let’s think about how experience may affect the salary of a plumber. I’m sure that you could probably guess that a plumber with more experience is almost always paid more than a plumber with less experience. This is a principle that applies to just about every job out there, and it’s no different for this one. A plumber with more than twenty years of experience can be paid up to $15,000 more than a plumber with just entry level experience. Why could such a large difference in income exist? First of all, consider the obvious. A more experienced plumber is almost always a better plumber. You’ve dealt with more in this field, and so you’re a lot less likely to be surprised by what goes on in it. Next, consider that a lot of highly experienced plumbers work as independent contractors. They have their own customer bases, and they’re able to make a lot more money. Overall, this is a profession that rewards people for sticking around.
Next, let’s think about how education can affect the salary of a plumber. When you think of a plumber, you may not think of someone who is particularly scholarly. That isn’t an entirely fair assessment. Although no form of college education is really required for someone to find work as a plumber, that doesn’t mean that plumbers don’t get any schooling at all. In fact, in many cases, plumbers will study at some kind of technical school prior to working in the field. Again, this education isn’t required, but it almost always will make these people better at their job. You don’t need an education to make big money in this profession, but you may want to consider attending a technical school if you want to be a more competitive applicant. Having studied at a technical school may also make you a more competitive candidate for promotion.
How to become a plumber – Do you have to go to school?
If you’ve read all of that information above, then you may be interested in becoming a plumber. It may not really sound like the most exciting or glamorous work in the world, but it’s honest work, and if you’re good at it then you can make quite a lot of money. What process should someone follow in order to find work as a plumber? The first thing that you need is a high school education. Like I said, college isn’t really required in order to work in plumbing. However, most places will require that you at least have this education. If you have already dropped out of high school, then you can still look into passing an exam to obtain a GED or something similar. Not only is this just a qualification, but work in plumbing requires knowledge in math and technology that a high school education proves that you have.
From here, you have the option of attending classes at a technical college. If money is a concern for you, contact the financial aid office and see if they can cut you a deal. It’s worth noting that most technical colleges have a much lower cost of attendance than a private university or a state school. You aren’t getting a bachelor’s degree or anything like that, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much about drowning in debt once you’re done. While you’re studying plumbing at a technical school, you’re mostly going to be obtaining certifications that will make you a more competitive applicant for any jobs that you become interested in down the road. If you decide not to go to technical school, then you can skip straight to an apprenticeship.
During your apprenticeship, you’re going to be sort of like an intern for another plumber. Your apprenticeship will run for a few years, and while you’re there, you may even be able to begin making money. However, you shouldn’t expect to be making a full plumber’s salary just yet. Once you’re done with your apprenticeship, you can look to become licensed. Yes, believe it or not, most states actually require plumbers to be licensed in order to legally work. Requirements for licensure vary from state to state, but it usually involves having a few years of experience (which your apprenticeship helped with) and a passing score on an examination. As soon as you get your license, you can get out into the workforce and become a part of this exciting and well-paying profession.
