15 Reasons to Become a Plumber
If you are contemplating what you want to be when you grow up, or if you are grown up and looking for a career shift into a rewarding profession, consider becoming a plumber. Here are some of the benefits – financial and intangible.
Let’s start with the financial benefits.
- Excellent pay. A licensed plumber in Illinois will earn between $30 to $50 per hour, translating into more than $80,000 a year. And that is before overtime, which can increase compensation substantially. With experience, some plumbers can make $100,000 a year or more.
- Great benefits. In addition, union plumbers receive outstanding benefits, such as health, dental, vision, and life insurance, and retirement benefits.
- Low cost of entry/no student loan debt. You can train to become a plumber at a community college or vocational school. So, you won’t be saddled with massive student loan debt.
- Earn while you learn. A union apprenticeship will enable you to work and get paid while attending school.
- Job stability. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the demand for plumbers will increase at a greater rate than the economy in general, primarily due to an increase in construction. Old houses also will need to be maintained and, in some cases remodeled. People always need plumbers, making the profession recession-proof.
- Job advancement. There are numerous opportunities for advancement, from becoming a master plumber to a foreman to a project manager and more. And of course, advancement can also mean increased pay.
- Start your own business. With experience and ambition, you can start your own plumbing business.
Now for some of the intangible benefits.
- Mentally challenging. Not all plumbing issues are routine. You will face numerous complex situations where you will need to use your knowledge to think through the right solution.
- Physically challenging. Plumbing is a great way to stay in shape. You will be hauling heavy pipes and running heavy equipment. Plus, you will be kneeling, crouching, and bending.
- Not boring. You won’t be sitting behind a desk, and you will be doing something different every day. Maybe repairing a leaky toilet or sink one day. The next – rodding a sewer line. The next – installing piping.
- Rewarding. You are helping people, frequently with emergencies such as frozen pipes or a clogged sewer line that has caused or is about to cause flooding. What can be more rewarding than that?
- Feeling of accomplishment. You will end each day knowing the results of your efforts.
- Respect. As mentioned, the work you do helps people, often in an emergency, and you will be respected for it.
- Social interaction. You’ll be meeting new people every day.
- Public good. Plumbers play a critical role in maintaining our nation’s infrastructure. They install water, drainage, gas piping, and waste and vent solutions, and maintain municipal sewer and water services.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing for a Career in Plumbing
If you are interested in becoming a plumber, Ravinia Plumbing is interested in talking with you. We offer interesting work, excellent compensation, and opportunities for advancement. Our customers have relied on us since 1928 (that’s 96 years!) for quality products, knowledgeable technicians, and superior service, including 24/7/365 emergency service. That is why we’ve made a name for ourselves as the most trusted plumbing, sewer, heating and air conditioning, and electrical companies in Chicagoland. Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
