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Are you
considering a career in plumbing? According to The Balance Careers, plumbers receive a median salary
that is generally higher than that of other construction trade workers. This
may sound great in theory, but as is with all construction trades, there are a
number of things to consider before you choose plumbing as your career path.
Key questions to ask yourself include:

  • Do
    you enjoy working with both your hands and machinery?
  • Are
    you a precise and careful worker?
  • Are
    you a good problem solver?
  • Can
    you visually assess and understand detailed structures?
  • Do
    you have a strong attention to detail?

If you answered yes to these questions, plumbing may be a good fit for you. Here are five things you need to do:

  1. Enroll
    in technical courses

First and foremost, it’s time to
get back into the classroom. Technical courses are the first step to landing a
plumbing career. Classes are most likely available at local community colleges,
trade institutions, or professional plumbing associations. Local New York City
plumbing training programs are offered at Nassau Board of Cooperative Education
Services (Nassau BOCES), SUNY Empire State College, LaGuardia Community
College, and CUNY Bronx Community College, to name a few.

  • Complete
    an apprenticeship program

Once you have completed
an educational or training program, it’s time to move on to an apprenticeship
program. Depending on your training program, the length of your apprenticeship
will likely vary, and could take anywhere from two years to five years.
Apprenticeship programs are meant to cover all aspects of the trade and should
give you a good idea of what you like or dislike in the plumbing field.

  • Decide
    on a specialty 

As you work through
your apprenticeship, you will likely have the chance to choose what area of
plumbing is a good fit for you. According to Plumbing Careers, there are six major
specializations within the field: water supply, sanitary plumbing, gasfitting,
roofing, drainage, and mechanical services. Within these specializations, there
are a wide range of occupations. Decide what your skills are a good match for.  

  • Determine
    your end goal: journeyman plumber or master plumber?

In
New York City, there are two levels of plumbers: journeyman plumbers and master
plumbers. Journeyman plumbers are required to complete a training program and
an apprenticeship before registering to work. To rise up to master plumber, you must have at least seven years
of total experience as a journeyman plumber before obtaining a license from the
city. Master plumbers can supervise journeyman plumbers as well as continue to
perform plumbing work.

  • Obtain
    your license

If you do decide to continue on the
path to become a master plumber, obtaining a license in New York City requires
a very specific process. The city provides a step-by-step list of what you need know beforehand.
If you meet the prior requirements, you will be able to schedule an exam.
License exams consist of multiple-choice questions that test your working
knowledge of rules, regulations, and NYC Construction Codes. If you receive a
70 percent or above, congratulations! You are officially a licensed master
plumber.

Ready to find your next construction job? You can get access to Building Skills NY construction job and training opportunities by checking out our Job Seekers page.