Plumbing the depths of a top 50 in-demand job

(ARA) - Plumbing is among the top 50 occupations for job stability, median wage and anticipated demand, according to careervoyages.com, a Web site jointly maintained by the departments of Labor and Education.

Joe DeLange, trades department chair of plumbing at WyoTech in Fremont, Calif., isn't surprised. "It's a flexible and stable trade, and plumbers will always be in demand," he says.

"If you like working with your hands, don't mind getting a little dirty, and want steady work in a skilled trade, it's time to take a look at the plumbing profession," DeLange adds.

While many of us are familiar with plumbers who conduct minor in-home repairs, the occupation can be very diverse. Plumbers and pipefitters can specialize in a variety of areas, including the installation and repair of potable water and gas piping systems, drain waste and vent systems, and hydronic (water) heating and cooling systems. Plumbers are also needed for remodeling and new construction projects in the residential and commercial industries.

The demand for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters is expected to increase 10 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Much of this demand will stem from new housing construction and building renovation. The rise in popularity of green technologies like radiant floor heating, solar hydronics, condensing and modulating boilers, and tankless hot water systems is also expected to increase demand for plumbers.

In addition, many people currently working in these trades are expected to retire during the next 10 years, creating more openings for plumbers. The Career Voyages Web site also notes that from now until 2016, there will be a demand for more than 150,000 new plumbers.

"Job stability is an important aspect of any career. This is what makes plumbing so appealing as a profession," DeLange says. "There is constant work. There will always be a need for basic repair and maintenance of water and pipe systems."

In addition to job stability, plumbers and pipefitters enjoy some of the best median wages in the trade fields. In 2006, the median hourly earnings of waged and salaried plumbers and pipefitters were $20.56, and the middle 50 percent of all plumbers earned between $15.62 and $27.54 an hour. The top 10 percent of plumbers earned more than $34 an hour.

Christopher Draves, plumbing instructor at WyoTech in Fremont, Calif., explains that the freedom of working for yourself and seeing tangible results make a career as a plumber an excellent choice. "Many plumbers eventually go into business for themselves," he says.

One of the most satisfying aspects of the plumbing profession is that you see the results of your labor, Draves adds. "At the end of the day, you solve problems, clean up messes and build new piping systems. It's a very satisfying career. You can look at the results and be proud of what you accomplished."

It takes a number of years to become a licensed professional plumber. Most plumbers learn skills through a combination of education and on-the-job training through apprenticeships. Most apprenticeships require 144 hours of classroom work and then a number of years of on-the-job training. At WyoTech, students receive 720 hours of combined classroom time and hands-on lab skills.

"While the need for plumbers is constant, technology and water management systems keep changing, so there is always more to learn," Draves says. "I definitely recommend a career in plumbing to those who are interested in a stable trade."

Courtesy of ARAcontent