Nowadays, it has become more and more popular to become skilled in some tasks related to house, s as the damages happen daily to many things around the house.
Just, think about how many times per day you turn the water on, use the toilet, take a shower or do laundry, and the pipes are necessary so that the water can run.
So, becoming skilled in plumbing will not only be useful for your family, but you can get a well-paid job, as well.
Specialized skills and knowledge are obligatory for this job, but becoming a master plumber requires even longer and more extensive training and ultimately, passing a state licensing and certification exam.
This can take up to 10 years, but it is worth waiting, as by the end of your education and training, you will be able to become your own boss, earn a comfortable salary and organize your work schedule.
Job Description
A master plumber does the same as a plumber, and their duties include crawling into tight spaces, working from a horizontal position, and even hanging upside down to reach a pipe.
They do not have shifts, as they must be available 24 hours per day, being that no one knows when the damage may happen.
Plumbers do not have a fixed schedule and most of them start working early in the morning and end late in the day.
What makes master plumbers different from other plumbers is that they can run their own business and may have staff working with or alongside them, so they can organize how much they will work per day.
The main differences between commercial and residential jobs are the size of the project and the required building codes.
Education Requirements
As with any other occupation, graduation from high school is necessary.
Then, the first step in becoming a master plumber is to attend a vocational school or community college where you will learn the theory of plumbing.
You can attend a pre-apprentice program which includes courses that focus on plumbing math, design of water, waste and vent systems, building codes, residential repair, installation methodology and reading blueprints and isometric plumbing illustrations.
These courses can be taken individually, or as part of an associate degree program and it usually takes two years to be completed.
Once you finish classroom learning, you will begin an apprenticeship, and depending on the state regulations where you attend apprenticeship, it can take four to five years to finish it.
The great thing to know is that an apprenticeship is a paid learning opportunity.
You will be paid for your work alongside an experienced plumber and get a chance to put you achieved classroom knowledge into action, learning on the job.
You can apply for a license after completing an apprenticeship, or you can continue education to become a master plumber.
After obtaining a journeyman’s license, you will need to work for four to five years, under the supervision of a master plumber and only then be able to take a certification test that covers required practical skills and federal and state building codes.
Renewal of licenses varies by state.
Job Growth Trend and Salary
According to the statistics, the median yearly wage for a plumber was $51,450, or $24.74 per hour, and the job outlook for plumbers is expected to grow by 16%.
This page is also available in Spanish.
