Earn $35/hr - Become a Plumber!
Looking to take home more money? Want a rewarding and adventurous profession? Still waiting for one to come bang on your doorstep? My guess is that you have not looked into becoming a plumber. Besides the irrelevant fact that you can “start at the minimum wage of $35.00 an hour”, why else would you want to become a plumber? Read on to find out what precisely a plumbing career is like.
Plumbing – The Job Details
Plumbers assemble, install, and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures of water, gas, and waste disposal systems, according to specifications and plumbing codes. They work with piping systems that transport liquid, gas, or semisolid material. Their work includes the installation of sinks, tubs, and other fixtures and their connection to water and sewage systems. Plumbers also maintain existing plumbing systems.
In new construction work, plumbers must follow blueprints so that the plumbing lines go in the right place. They plan the job, determine the size and type of pipe to be used, and select the proper fixtures. They lay out the exact route the piping will take. The pipe is cut to correct lengths and fitted with valves and other types of connections. Pipes and connections may be copper, glass, lead, plastic, ceramic, cast iron, or steel.
After the system is inspected by the building inspector, plumbers install the necessary plumbing fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, etc. This means that plumbers must come back to the job site after the floors and walls are up and finished. They then install and hook up plumbing fixtures such as tubs, toilets, and sinks. These are also tested to make sure there are no leaks, and the system works properly for the home owner.
Plumbers, doing maintenance and alteration work on existing buildings, trace troubles in the plumbing systems, open clogged drains and pipes, thaw frozen pipes, replace worn parts of leaking valves or complete valves, repair and replace pipes, fittings, and fixtures, and extend piping systems to connect new fixtures to water and drainage systems.
Working Conditions as a Plumber
Although plumbers often work outdoors, most of their work is performed indoors, or at least in the semi-shelter of unfinished buildings. The work is active and sometimes strenuous. Frequently, plumbers are on their feet for long periods of time, and they may work in cramped, damp, or dirty areas. On renovation and repair jobs, they may have to crawl and work under buildings. Plumbers also risk the dangers of cuts from tools; burns from steam, hot pipes, or welding equipment; and falls from ladders. However, the low accident rate in this trade shows that safety precautions can reduce most hazards.
Plumbers must have good manual dexterity to use the required tools and equipment. Knowledge of drafting, blueprint reading, building regulations and basic mathematics is required for journey-level work.
Many plumbers belong to the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbers and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
Wages & Hours – The Plumbers Benefits
Wages vary widely, depending upon geographic location, the company size, and whether the employer is unionized. Non-union inexperienced plumbers usually earn from the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. Non-union apprentices usually earn start at the minimum wage to $35.00 an hour. Experienced non-union plumbers earn from $7.00 to $36.00 per hour. Wages paid union plumbers vary among union locals and are usually stated in terms of basic wage rates, plus employer contributions to retirement funds and other employee benefits. Journey-level pay ranges from $28.00 to $37.00 per hour. Union apprentices usually start at 35 to 50 percent of the basic hourly level wage, plus fringe benefits.
Becoming a Plumber – Requirements & Training
Although some plumbers learn their skills informally on the job, most complete an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs vary but generally last four to five years. The program consists of full-time supervised on-the-job training and concurrent classroom instruction. The required courses include drafting, blueprint reading, mathematics and studying local plumbing codes and regulations. Upon completion of the program, apprentices must pass a union-administered trade test and a city licensing test regulated by the California State Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Candidates for the apprenticeship program must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, and must pass aptitude tests. Some programs require candidates to have some related experience, mechanical interests, and a stable school record and work history.
Usually, unions accept applications for apprenticeship programs each spring. When program enrollment is sufficient to fill job openings, unions may not accept applications until occupational demand is up.
Finding a Plumbing Job
Job announcements usually appear in newspapers, and are sent to vocational schools and other places where candidates are to be found. Experienced plumbers involved in construction work are dispatched to jobs by their union local on a first-in, first-out basis.
If you are looking for an opportunity to become a plumber and live in the Southern California area, fill out our online plumbing application or call 1-800-656-3569 to get started today! We are now offering a $1,000.00 Signing Bonus for all qualified San Diego plumbers and plumbing technicians. And if you know and can refer a friend that is a skilled plumber, electrician, or HVAC technician we will give you $500.00, no questions asked!
(Information gathered from the California Occupational Guide)
Related Plumbing Uncategorized Information:
- San Diego Plumbers - At Their Best!
- Famous Plumbing Quotes
- Winter Plumbing Tips
- Fun Plumbing Facts
- Plumbing Jokes
- San Diego Plumbing Jobs
- 10 Best Ways to Conserve Water
Most Popular Plumbing Uncategorized Posts
- (none)
