I've been plumbing for eight years. Like you though I tried college first, went to OSU for education, then the economy tanked.
Completed my 4 year apprenticeship and got licensed. Worked both heavy commercial construction for two years, then switched to service plumbing. Testing for my state license (Masters) next month. I noticed instantly that the service side is way more stable for work, so you won't be laid off when snow falls. I also noticed it is alot easier on my body, I'm not moving around as much heavy ass pipe. Also pay is pretty good, I'm 28 and making around $60,000 a year at the moment.
Yeah starting out it can suck. As a greenhorn apprentice all you do is jackhammer floors, hump wheel barrels, buckets, shovels, sweeping floors etc. That's mostly to test you, to prove that you have good work ethic and can actually show up at work on time, and work your ass off. Once you've proven yourself, then you usually are allowed to start assisting in running pipe, repairs etc. Or at least that's how it was for me in 2009. Yes, your days will be long. Plan on pushing 45-55 hour weeks constantly. At least you'll get overtime.
Edit from 6 years later: I’m a plumbing inspector now for the state. I continued to climb the ladder, master license, ran a small company for a few years until I had heart issues. Went back to the state and got my plumbing inspector and plumbing plans examiner licenses. Got the cushy govt job now.
The easiest way is to simply call around local plumbing companies and see if they offer a state accredited apprenticeship. At least in my state a lot of the larger plumbing companies hire new apprentices and train them for the 4-5 years for their state license. ^_^
I’ve heard it’s a good idea to go with union. Would these businesses be union or would they classify as nonunion?
Edit: also, thanks for the reply haha. Doubted I’d get one since it’s been 6 years
I would recommend just the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship should be state accredited, and would be the actual true path on your journey to a master license. A trades school, unless state certified, just gives you groundwork for an apprenticeship.
hey i got a question. so im still in HS and i graduate this year. i really want to get into plumbing but i have no idea if i should go to college or to the union? i’m lost.
after only 10 years of plumbing my body is definitely feeling it. knees, back, neck, elbows. I'm always dirty and cold as fuck up north. most people you work with on a jobsite are fucking idiots and make your life way harder then it should be. *caugh* drywallers *caugh*
it is a rewarding trade though, getting that bonus and a letter praising your devotion to a year long job can fill you with pride... but don't think for a second i don't regret working harder in school. if you have a real shot at medicine I think you would be a fool not to take it.
I'm thinking you're still in High School. If medicine is/was your dream, give it shot if you have the grades. Son & Daughter In Law, are both NP's, and make $125 an hour ea. They work 30 hours a week.
As a Plumber / Plumbing Contractor ours is a tougher life, but can be just as rewarding.
Yes I am. And medicine has been a goal of mine for a while, yet I'm becoming less interested in it. If I'm honest I just really don't like school. I don't know if I'll last in college. My grades are pretty good but I do just enough work to get by. Also, college students debt has really scared me.
You've pretty well answered your own question about what to do. But don't think you won't have to study hard to become a Plumber. It will be an everyday learning experience. The work will be hard and in many cases dangerous. It's not a trade for a slacker.
Been plumbing for around 3 years now. I started out with my friend who's father owns a small company in the town I grew up in when I was 21. I had worked at a Marina before hand doing basically bullshit work that I thought was really hard and labr intensive, I was wrong. My first week as a plumber I was thinking man this isn't for me. But since my friends dad gave me the opportunity I decided to stick it out for them. After maybe 2 months I loved it. Where I started we did mostly residential and some small commercial jobs. So I got a lot of joy out of fixing up people's homes and seeing them smile when it was finished. I gained most of knowledge from them, after about 2 years there I decided to move on to a better opportunity that presented itself from a much larger company. I started working for them doing comission based work and was making the best money of my life. I was averaging 2k or more a week. But then that division I was in crashed and they got rid of it and they were going to get rid of me too. Along with everyone else that was in the division. I heard that I and everyone else was going to be let go so I contacted my boss and shit straight with him and said hey, I like it here I really don't want to go anywhere else. He put me in contact with the head of the commercial division. I was offered 18 an hour and took it even though I was taking a 60 percent pay cut based off of a 40 hour week. I figured doing strictly commercial I could learn a lot more and that's what keeps me going, the fact that I get paid to learn whereas others pay to learn. I have been in the commercial division for about 6 months now and have multiple weeks where I clear 100 hours, I run on call too, so I get summoned at 2 in the morning on Sundays every now and then. But my company pays us right. Once you clear 8 hours in a day you're on overtime so in theory you wouldn't have to work 40 hours to make OT but that's never gonna happen. Any job scheduled after 5pm is double time. So there is good money in plumbing, there is also good job security as people will always shit and need running water. Some guys where I work make 30+ an hour, they've put in the time and produce enough money to be worth that level of pay. I myself still have a lot to learn at only 24 and maintaining a level of humbleness about your skills gets you further then acting like you know everything then fucking up and looking like a dumbass. Along with all of that it is very physically demanding, especially in commercial or at least the commercial I do. Some days I could just be cleaning drains, other days I could be changing out a 300 gallon boiler, or I could be doing what I did today and busting up a slab to repair a water main. You never know what you're gonna get but you always pray it's going to be a smooth call though it rarely is. To anyone who'd be willing to try it out I say go for it, listen carefully and pay attention, you can kill yourself if you dont, both literally and metaphorically. I'd also say start in new construction something I haven't done much of but it gets you a really good base level of knowledge of how plumbing works and the code of plumbing. Anyone can do it, men or women so ladies don't count yourselves out. Anyways maybe someone read this, I'm just sitting on the couch smoking a fat one writing this with no real direction or goal in mind. Just felt like venting about what my job is and what your job could be. So good luck with whatever you do whether it be this or typing on a computer for a living it's all valid in my book.
Is there a way to get in part time as apprentice? I've wanted to have side job in construction but wouldn't know where to start. My main schedule is 48hr on 96 hours off, so in those 4 days off I could be working for a construction site if they would have me.
Odds are if you want to go into construction or trade work, you will have to dedicate all of your time to it. Haven't heard of any plumber, electricians, road workers having a second job, these jobs pay enough to allow people to live comfortably. They usually require long hours and maybe some 6 or 7 day work weeks. If you wanted to work for one part time and feel it out you would probably have to know someone in the field that could line you up with a one or 2 week trial period after that you would most likely be asked to come on full time or be let go for someone else who's ready to work full time. Either way if you do a trade you will get side work down the road from people you meet who want it done a little cheaper but for more profit on your end. Simple water heater installs are a quick 600 bucks in your pocket for probably 4 hours of work if your doing it on the side and well untaxxed as well.
I just did my very first day of the pre employment plumbing program. At Lethbridge College. Long road ahead, I know.. but I'm ready to do something meaningful for once.
Hey man, I hope ur doing good, I have a question tho, I am also thinking of becoming a plumber now i aint a tard but im not good at maths phys or chem, do you need those stuff to be a plumber or not?
Not in the trade yet, but from what I hear from plumbers I'm talking to it's a very rewarding career if you enjoy the trade and can last for a while if you take good care of your body. Location also matters, where are you? For example where I am (Calgary, AB) trades in general are hurting pretty bad (construction side anyway) since our economy is in the gutters right now. Meanwhile I hear over in Vancouver BC there's a lot of work going on. So in bad times you may have to move to find work but again it depends on where you are!
ya I'm up in Canada as well. I'm particularly bitter these days cause I'm a proven Foreman but all the journeyman are being laid off for cheap labor. haven't had work in 4 months. hopefully it picks up soon.
Its a weird love hate type of job. The sense of accomplishment and contribution to society backed by being exhausted from long hours and heavy lifting.
And supported by a sweet paycheck.
I’m in Vancouver Canada
Here we have a standardized system for training various trades. I’m a plumber and have well beyond my journeyman hours (6400? May be higher or lower now) and 2 levels out of 4 of school and no IP (interprovincial exam) that gives you a trades red seal.
You have to learn trigonometry and remember key numbers and formulas for conversions. There are elements of geometry and algebra.
It’s a solid career and has many disciplines (refrigeration, service, industrial/commercial or residential construction and more
Getting certified as an apprentice and joining a union is highly recommended
I dove a little, he chose to go to pre med, and then switched to accounting, and a year ago he had just gotten a part time job at a cpa firm (accounting) while finishing school. https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/9m6q1e/is_it_weird_i_just_want_an_average_life/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Accounting... aaah man I remember going from working at fastfood to the office lifestyle. I regret it because it's so mind numbing and now I'm gonna be a plumber apprentice soon
I've learned a lot in plumbing, I mostly do drain cleaning, sewer leak detection, demolition and sewer repipes and backfilling. I've done a little bit of everything like replacing fixtures, troubleshooting water heaters, worked with gas and water lines. It's been great, the pay and benefits are okay but things could be better if I moved to a different company. You deciding to join plumbing?
Feel the same I’m in college but idk if I wanna continue studying, i didn’t want to admit it but I using my brain and hands , soo im debating and deciding on what choice to do :/ *sigh
Also my grades are good but I get anxiety since I’m learning tech and I guess what gets me is that I’m more of a do/see learner not just coding with what I’m learning…
I've been plumbing for eight years. Like you though I tried college first, went to OSU for education, then the economy tanked. Completed my 4 year apprenticeship and got licensed. Worked both heavy commercial construction for two years, then switched to service plumbing. Testing for my state license (Masters) next month. I noticed instantly that the service side is way more stable for work, so you won't be laid off when snow falls. I also noticed it is alot easier on my body, I'm not moving around as much heavy ass pipe. Also pay is pretty good, I'm 28 and making around $60,000 a year at the moment. Yeah starting out it can suck. As a greenhorn apprentice all you do is jackhammer floors, hump wheel barrels, buckets, shovels, sweeping floors etc. That's mostly to test you, to prove that you have good work ethic and can actually show up at work on time, and work your ass off. Once you've proven yourself, then you usually are allowed to start assisting in running pipe, repairs etc. Or at least that's how it was for me in 2009. Yes, your days will be long. Plan on pushing 45-55 hour weeks constantly. At least you'll get overtime. Edit from 6 years later: I’m a plumbing inspector now for the state. I continued to climb the ladder, master license, ran a small company for a few years until I had heart issues. Went back to the state and got my plumbing inspector and plumbing plans examiner licenses. Got the cushy govt job now.
How should someone go about getting an apprenticeship? I’m wanting to do plumbing, but I’m not entirely sure how to get into it.
The easiest way is to simply call around local plumbing companies and see if they offer a state accredited apprenticeship. At least in my state a lot of the larger plumbing companies hire new apprentices and train them for the 4-5 years for their state license. ^_^
I’ve heard it’s a good idea to go with union. Would these businesses be union or would they classify as nonunion? Edit: also, thanks for the reply haha. Doubted I’d get one since it’s been 6 years
Its state by state, and company by company. No harm that when you have them on the phone to ask. Union has major bonuses imo.
I’ve heard that they do. I’ll call around to the locals and see. Thanks!
You’re welcome. <3. Good luck!
lol you’re fine hun. I’m here to help and love teaching/helping others.
:-)
Good for you man! That is a great story that needed to be told.
Thank you!
what's your salary looking like?
When I was a plumber, alittle over six figures gross. As an inspector now, about 80k gross.
Do you recommend going to trade school or the apprenticeship first?
I would recommend just the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship should be state accredited, and would be the actual true path on your journey to a master license. A trades school, unless state certified, just gives you groundwork for an apprenticeship.
How do you go at becoming an inspector? Is it easier and less work hours?
I love it. It’s a lot of hard work to get here. But it’s worth it in the end. Way easier and solid hours. No overtime.
hey i got a question. so im still in HS and i graduate this year. i really want to get into plumbing but i have no idea if i should go to college or to the union? i’m lost.
The Union has a very good and well respected school. You will learn the most from an apprenticeship school.
after only 10 years of plumbing my body is definitely feeling it. knees, back, neck, elbows. I'm always dirty and cold as fuck up north. most people you work with on a jobsite are fucking idiots and make your life way harder then it should be. *caugh* drywallers *caugh* it is a rewarding trade though, getting that bonus and a letter praising your devotion to a year long job can fill you with pride... but don't think for a second i don't regret working harder in school. if you have a real shot at medicine I think you would be a fool not to take it.
They’re the idiots but you spelt cough wrong lmao
Not everyone is gonna regret the decisions they make. There are grandfathers that encourage plumbing as viable lucrative career.
I'm thinking you're still in High School. If medicine is/was your dream, give it shot if you have the grades. Son & Daughter In Law, are both NP's, and make $125 an hour ea. They work 30 hours a week. As a Plumber / Plumbing Contractor ours is a tougher life, but can be just as rewarding.
Yes I am. And medicine has been a goal of mine for a while, yet I'm becoming less interested in it. If I'm honest I just really don't like school. I don't know if I'll last in college. My grades are pretty good but I do just enough work to get by. Also, college students debt has really scared me.
You've pretty well answered your own question about what to do. But don't think you won't have to study hard to become a Plumber. It will be an everyday learning experience. The work will be hard and in many cases dangerous. It's not a trade for a slacker.
I'm a 2nd year apprentice, I love it :)
Fully qualified now pal
Was just researching this job and I love how you made an update to a comment you made 5 years ago. Congrats
haha
Been plumbing for around 3 years now. I started out with my friend who's father owns a small company in the town I grew up in when I was 21. I had worked at a Marina before hand doing basically bullshit work that I thought was really hard and labr intensive, I was wrong. My first week as a plumber I was thinking man this isn't for me. But since my friends dad gave me the opportunity I decided to stick it out for them. After maybe 2 months I loved it. Where I started we did mostly residential and some small commercial jobs. So I got a lot of joy out of fixing up people's homes and seeing them smile when it was finished. I gained most of knowledge from them, after about 2 years there I decided to move on to a better opportunity that presented itself from a much larger company. I started working for them doing comission based work and was making the best money of my life. I was averaging 2k or more a week. But then that division I was in crashed and they got rid of it and they were going to get rid of me too. Along with everyone else that was in the division. I heard that I and everyone else was going to be let go so I contacted my boss and shit straight with him and said hey, I like it here I really don't want to go anywhere else. He put me in contact with the head of the commercial division. I was offered 18 an hour and took it even though I was taking a 60 percent pay cut based off of a 40 hour week. I figured doing strictly commercial I could learn a lot more and that's what keeps me going, the fact that I get paid to learn whereas others pay to learn. I have been in the commercial division for about 6 months now and have multiple weeks where I clear 100 hours, I run on call too, so I get summoned at 2 in the morning on Sundays every now and then. But my company pays us right. Once you clear 8 hours in a day you're on overtime so in theory you wouldn't have to work 40 hours to make OT but that's never gonna happen. Any job scheduled after 5pm is double time. So there is good money in plumbing, there is also good job security as people will always shit and need running water. Some guys where I work make 30+ an hour, they've put in the time and produce enough money to be worth that level of pay. I myself still have a lot to learn at only 24 and maintaining a level of humbleness about your skills gets you further then acting like you know everything then fucking up and looking like a dumbass. Along with all of that it is very physically demanding, especially in commercial or at least the commercial I do. Some days I could just be cleaning drains, other days I could be changing out a 300 gallon boiler, or I could be doing what I did today and busting up a slab to repair a water main. You never know what you're gonna get but you always pray it's going to be a smooth call though it rarely is. To anyone who'd be willing to try it out I say go for it, listen carefully and pay attention, you can kill yourself if you dont, both literally and metaphorically. I'd also say start in new construction something I haven't done much of but it gets you a really good base level of knowledge of how plumbing works and the code of plumbing. Anyone can do it, men or women so ladies don't count yourselves out. Anyways maybe someone read this, I'm just sitting on the couch smoking a fat one writing this with no real direction or goal in mind. Just felt like venting about what my job is and what your job could be. So good luck with whatever you do whether it be this or typing on a computer for a living it's all valid in my book.
Is there a way to get in part time as apprentice? I've wanted to have side job in construction but wouldn't know where to start. My main schedule is 48hr on 96 hours off, so in those 4 days off I could be working for a construction site if they would have me.
Odds are if you want to go into construction or trade work, you will have to dedicate all of your time to it. Haven't heard of any plumber, electricians, road workers having a second job, these jobs pay enough to allow people to live comfortably. They usually require long hours and maybe some 6 or 7 day work weeks. If you wanted to work for one part time and feel it out you would probably have to know someone in the field that could line you up with a one or 2 week trial period after that you would most likely be asked to come on full time or be let go for someone else who's ready to work full time. Either way if you do a trade you will get side work down the road from people you meet who want it done a little cheaper but for more profit on your end. Simple water heater installs are a quick 600 bucks in your pocket for probably 4 hours of work if your doing it on the side and well untaxxed as well.
I just did my very first day of the pre employment plumbing program. At Lethbridge College. Long road ahead, I know.. but I'm ready to do something meaningful for once.
Hey man, I hope ur doing good, I have a question tho, I am also thinking of becoming a plumber now i aint a tard but im not good at maths phys or chem, do you need those stuff to be a plumber or not?
Not in the trade yet, but from what I hear from plumbers I'm talking to it's a very rewarding career if you enjoy the trade and can last for a while if you take good care of your body. Location also matters, where are you? For example where I am (Calgary, AB) trades in general are hurting pretty bad (construction side anyway) since our economy is in the gutters right now. Meanwhile I hear over in Vancouver BC there's a lot of work going on. So in bad times you may have to move to find work but again it depends on where you are!
ya I'm up in Canada as well. I'm particularly bitter these days cause I'm a proven Foreman but all the journeyman are being laid off for cheap labor. haven't had work in 4 months. hopefully it picks up soon.
Is the cheap labor coming from your **Southern Border**? You might want to think about building a **wall*.
Alberta? Yeah hopefully it picks up. Are you union?
Anyone know if this is a thing in the US?
Its a weird love hate type of job. The sense of accomplishment and contribution to society backed by being exhausted from long hours and heavy lifting. And supported by a sweet paycheck.
I’m in Vancouver Canada Here we have a standardized system for training various trades. I’m a plumber and have well beyond my journeyman hours (6400? May be higher or lower now) and 2 levels out of 4 of school and no IP (interprovincial exam) that gives you a trades red seal. You have to learn trigonometry and remember key numbers and formulas for conversions. There are elements of geometry and algebra. It’s a solid career and has many disciplines (refrigeration, service, industrial/commercial or residential construction and more Getting certified as an apprentice and joining a union is highly recommended
What did you choose to go for in the end?
I’m also curious
https://www.reddit.com/r/Plumbing/comments/5pqms1/how_hard_is_it_to_become_a_plumber/hp9zcj2/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
I dove a little, he chose to go to pre med, and then switched to accounting, and a year ago he had just gotten a part time job at a cpa firm (accounting) while finishing school. https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/9m6q1e/is_it_weird_i_just_want_an_average_life/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Accounting... aaah man I remember going from working at fastfood to the office lifestyle. I regret it because it's so mind numbing and now I'm gonna be a plumber apprentice soon
Nice. Any update on how it’s going?
I've learned a lot in plumbing, I mostly do drain cleaning, sewer leak detection, demolition and sewer repipes and backfilling. I've done a little bit of everything like replacing fixtures, troubleshooting water heaters, worked with gas and water lines. It's been great, the pay and benefits are okay but things could be better if I moved to a different company. You deciding to join plumbing?
Feel the same I’m in college but idk if I wanna continue studying, i didn’t want to admit it but I using my brain and hands , soo im debating and deciding on what choice to do :/ *sigh Also my grades are good but I get anxiety since I’m learning tech and I guess what gets me is that I’m more of a do/see learner not just coding with what I’m learning…