Becoming a fully qualified plumber takes a number of years. To get started, you should earn your high school degree or GED. In some states, you'll have to attend a vocational school for a few months or a year, but in others, you can combine this with your apprenticeship. As soon as you've been taken on as an apprentice, you can start making money, and once you've completed your training, you can take an exam and become fully qualified.
Prerequisites
Although you don't need a college degree to become a plumber, having a high school degree is often required to enter training schools and apprenticeships. You'll need a foundation in math, science, and IT. You should also have a look at this job's profile or spend a few days observing a professional plumber to find out whether it's a good fit for you.
Plumbing requires a range of problem-solving and mechanical skills, and you'll need a certain amount of physical strength to be successful. Most plumbers start out as employees, but many of them later set up their own businesses. For this reason, having basic business and accounting skills is also a bonus. If you're interested in this kind of work but plumbing isn't quite right for you, you could have a look at similar jobs like HVAC technician, mechanic, or electrician.
Plumbing School
Some aspiring plumbers complete an apprenticeship right away. Skipping college or trade school could be a good idea if you already have a solid foundation in plumbing, for example, if you've completed plumbing projects before and you have the necessary practical skills to succeed. However, you might consider attending school for a few months or even a year if you believe you'd struggle to start working right away or if your state requires vocational training.
Plumbing courses are offered by many community colleges and trade schools, and they usually take up much less time than a traditional college degree. Since the rules and regulations are different in every state, you should contact your local plumbing association.
Apprenticeships
To become a licensed plumber, you have to complete an apprenticeship that takes several years. Some plumbing firms can accept apprentices without any vocational training, but others require you to attend a plumbing course before you apply. During your apprenticeship, you will spend time with an experienced plumber who will show you how to complete a wide variety of tasks.
You might also attend some classes for a few days a week. Plumbing apprenticeships are generally paid positions, which means that you can start to earn a living right away. In fact, apprentice plumbers are often paid between $30,000 and $45,000. With this salary, it's unlikely that you will have to take out a loan while you complete your education.
Licensing
At the end of your apprenticeship, you can get licensed. In many states, you will only receive your license once you've completed a certain number of classroom hours, gained a lot of hands-on experience, and finished your apprenticeship. The exact rules and regulations vary, and you should speak to your instructors or a master plumber to find out what you have to do to qualify.
Usually, aspiring plumbers have to take an exam before they receive their license. By the time you have completed your education as a plumber, you should have all the necessary knowledge and skills to pass this exam. Once you have done so, you can start to work as a fully qualified plumber. If you want to increase your income further, you can train to become a master plumber and take on apprentices.
What Are the Career Prospects of a Plumber?
Most newly qualified plumbers have excellent career prospects. No matter where you are in the country, your services will be in high demand, and you'll never run out of jobs. Although the starting salary is below average, the average plumber makes $25 per hour, and some highly experienced individuals can even make over $50 per hour.
If you'd like to advance your career, you can keep training to become a specialist or to become a master plumber and take on apprentices. This increases your salary and your benefits. While some plumbers work for a company their entire lives, others set up their own businesses.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Plumber
There are several ways to increase your salary as a plumber. The most important one is to become as highly qualified and experienced as possible and to always provide your customers with excellent service. If you work for a company, they will notice that you are going above and beyond, and they might promote you and increase your salary.
Another good strategy is to set up your own plumbing firm. While this option isn't right for everyone, it can be extremely lucrative for business-savvy plumbers. If you get good reviews and your customers like your work, you can take on other plumbers over time. They can do some of the jobs for you and increase your company's revenue. However, this is only possible if you remain organized at all times, for example by using a good home service software.
Plumbing is a very stable profession because it's constantly in demand. To qualify as a plumber, you'll need to get a high school degree, then complete some vocational training and go to plumbing school. Your apprenticeship will take several years, but you'll be paid during this time. Once you're a licensed plumber, you can set up your own business. Call us at ServiceBox to find out how to set up your plumbing company in an intuitive, cost-effective way.
