This website aims to help answer the question; How to Become a Plumber
Congratulations on your decision to start your career as a plumber!
You are entering a field that is in high demand, so your chances of getting a job and becoming a plumber are excellent!
The median salary for plumbers is currently around $50,000 per year according to the Department of Labor.
Plumber
A plumber is paid to install and maintain water systems. The systems may be in residential or commercial facilities and include systems for drinking water and drainage.
Everybody uses these systems every day, so as the world population grows, so does the need for plumbers.
No matter where you live, there’s always a demand for new plumbers, however training requirements and regulations vary from State to State in the U.S., and country to country as well.
Plumber Job Description
The job description for a plumber will vary depending on what type of position one is applying for.
For example, a commercial facilities plumber will have different sets of responsibilities than a residential plumber.
Typically, however, the job entails:
- Installation of residential and commercial water and drainage systems
- Repairing water and drainage systems
- Connecting appliances to water and sanitation systems
- Installing sinks, toilets, showers to water systems
- Emergency repairs
- Ensure adherence of systems to city/municipal code standards
- Install supports for pipe and fixtures
- Main line repairs
- Assemble and install valve and fittings
- Assemble pipe sections “run pipe”including; welding/soldering, cementing, caulking, brazing
- Test pipe systems and repair leaks
- And more…
Plumber Jobs
As mentioned earlier, plumbers are in high demand. If you meet the qualifications and have completed the proper training, you have a great chance of getting hired.
You can find open plumber jobs in our plumbing jobs section.
Plumber Requirements and Licensing
State requirements for becoming a plumber vary.
In California, for example, you need to have apprentice experience and complete all coursework prior to becoming a journeyman. You must complete four years as a journeyman prior to applying for a contractor’s license.
Plumber Training
If you’ve decided that you want to become a plumber, you’ll need to get the proper training that will prepare you for a rewarding and lucrative career. There may be a number of plumber school options in your area that will allow you to get hands-on training that will make you feel completely confident with your newly learned plumbing expertise. Here is some information about what you can expect to learn–and earn–as you embark upon a new plumbing career.
If you’ve already completed high school and have taken a number of courses that will directly assist you in your plumbing career, like mathematics, you’re likely eligible to become a plumbing apprentice. Most people who decide they want to become plumbers early participate in an apprenticeship shortly after high school graduation; however, you can complete this step toward becoming a plumber at any age. A local plumbing company or union is the best place to search for a professional who wouldn’t mind mentoring you. The apprenticeship allows you to work directly with a professional plumber on a regular basis, so you’ll learn about pipe installation and checking water pressure by helping to perform these tasks. The apprenticeship is often in place of attending a technical school, since you’ve already completed secondary education. However, post-secondary training in addition to being an apprentice may also be required depending on the area you live in.
When you settle on an apprenticeship that is right for you, you’ll need to complete about four years of on-the-job and classroom training in many cases. You’ll need to complete a certain amount of hours in order to get adequate experience.
After starting out as an entry level plumber or better known as an apprentice plumber, you can advance to become a journeyman plumber and later on a master plumber.
Once you become a journeyman plumber you can choose to remain a journeyman plumber or work toward becoming a master plumber.
If you would like to know more about becoming a plumber, you may be interested in seeing if a plumbing career is for you!
We hope our How to become a plumber articles help you reach your goal of a profitable and happy career in this exciting field.
