3 answers
Trenton
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
2
Questions
Updated
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. What's the average number of people who succeed in plumbing ?
what is the number of people who try and become a plumber actually become a plumber
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3 answers
Jonathan Willard
Software Engineer
5
Answers
Hopatcong, New Jersey
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Hi Trenton!
By plumber, I am wondering you mean a "licensed plumber". You would apprentice and work under another licensed plumber before you actually get your license. Getting your license will allow you to run your own plumbing business, and hire other plumbers to work under you. It would also likely make you more valuable to any company you are working at so you can earn more. But it's important to note that there are many people that never actually get their license, but work as plumbers successfully. I have friends who have done this for years. So you don't actually need to pass the licensing test to work as a plumber.
By plumber, I am wondering you mean a "licensed plumber". You would apprentice and work under another licensed plumber before you actually get your license. Getting your license will allow you to run your own plumbing business, and hire other plumbers to work under you. It would also likely make you more valuable to any company you are working at so you can earn more. But it's important to note that there are many people that never actually get their license, but work as plumbers successfully. I have friends who have done this for years. So you don't actually need to pass the licensing test to work as a plumber.
Jeff Huettman
Technical product design
11
Answers
Dubuque, Iowa
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
I don't know if I can give yo a specific answer to this question, but I can tell you this. I worked in educational publishing and we made products for trade schools and folks that emerged into the plumbing trade as a career did VERY well. It is a high demand skill area that not a lot of students think of immediately. DOn't take my word for tit though.You have several community and trade colleges near you in Elk River, Minnesota. This link gives you a summary of options around you.
https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges-near/minnesota/elk-river/community-colleges/
Plumbing is typically a 2 year program and often you can start working before the end of the 2 years. Community college is a really affordable option. Many times employers offer programs to deflect any costs you might need covered. In my experience, plumbing is a great choice, but I encourage you to reach out to the Community Colleges around you to get real numbers based on your area of the country.
Reach out to Anoka-Ramsey Community College about plumbing programs
Reach out to North Hennepin Community College about plumbing programs
Reach out to Minneapolis community and Technical college about plumbing programs
Reach out to St. Cloud Technical and Community College about plumbing programs
https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges-near/minnesota/elk-river/community-colleges/
Plumbing is typically a 2 year program and often you can start working before the end of the 2 years. Community college is a really affordable option. Many times employers offer programs to deflect any costs you might need covered. In my experience, plumbing is a great choice, but I encourage you to reach out to the Community Colleges around you to get real numbers based on your area of the country.
Jeff recommends the following next steps:
Michael Haas
Master Plumber / Division Lead
1
Answer
Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Updated
Michael’s Answer
We live in different times now. When I had my 4 year apprentice ship, it was brutal. It's not like that anymore. Thank god. But I was the last one out of 411 people. Now, I was the only one under 50 in my department. We worked multimillion dollar accounts for billion dollar companies.
The truth, it's hard work. It's one of if not the most technically and physically difficult trades. Electricians can rerun wires easily, duct work is like Legos. Plumbing you get 1 shot and gravity only works one way. Long hours, tight spots, barking dogs, dumb customers, bad foreman, inept engineers. All part of the job. You'll be burnt, covered in chemicals, prolly arch flashed atleast once. Everyone looks at the welder, Noone knows why. Its cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I remember rigging 10" and 12" butterfly valves on top of a Keeler Boiler in mid July. It was 137 up there, 100% humidity. Could only stand it for 20 min at a time. It was 101°F outside. It felt like 65°F AC when we came down. The welders refused to go up there until the plant shut down. Smart.
It's 80% critical thinking, 10% turning wrenches, 10% explaining why your turning your wrenches. It's a satisfying job. I've built systems that will last long after I'm gone. You meet some amazing people along the way. A few I call friend even today. I met them 10 years ago.
Don't be discouraged, it's a calling. You fall in love with it or you fall put of it. I swear my brain is like the windows 95 Screensaver with the pipes. The older guys will get a laugh out of that. You gotta love it to get covered effleucnce, since the other word is banned; every day or atleast once in your career. That's the day I play Princes Purple Rain. Hahaha poor boys
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Apprenticeship
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The truth, it's hard work. It's one of if not the most technically and physically difficult trades. Electricians can rerun wires easily, duct work is like Legos. Plumbing you get 1 shot and gravity only works one way. Long hours, tight spots, barking dogs, dumb customers, bad foreman, inept engineers. All part of the job. You'll be burnt, covered in chemicals, prolly arch flashed atleast once. Everyone looks at the welder, Noone knows why. Its cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I remember rigging 10" and 12" butterfly valves on top of a Keeler Boiler in mid July. It was 137 up there, 100% humidity. Could only stand it for 20 min at a time. It was 101°F outside. It felt like 65°F AC when we came down. The welders refused to go up there until the plant shut down. Smart.
It's 80% critical thinking, 10% turning wrenches, 10% explaining why your turning your wrenches. It's a satisfying job. I've built systems that will last long after I'm gone. You meet some amazing people along the way. A few I call friend even today. I met them 10 years ago.
Don't be discouraged, it's a calling. You fall in love with it or you fall put of it. I swear my brain is like the windows 95 Screensaver with the pipes. The older guys will get a laugh out of that. You gotta love it to get covered effleucnce, since the other word is banned; every day or atleast once in your career. That's the day I play Princes Purple Rain. Hahaha poor boys
Michael recommends the following next steps: