Most plumbing jobs require that a plumber be available in call including at night and during the weekends when their clients are faced with an emergency. Also, many states require that a plumber is licensed before they can start practicing.

So what do plumbers do?

Anyone who has ever been faced with either a broken toilet or a busted pipe will tell you just how important plumbers are. Plumbers work on a number of things; they do the repair and installations of waste disposal pipes, water supply lines, fixtures and appliances that help in the smooth running of businesses and homes.

Before you decide to become a plumber, it is important for you to understand that this profession is physically demanding. What this means is that you are going to need a lot of stamina and strength that will help you be able to work in different environments easily. Depending on the fixing that you have been called upon to do, you may end up working on different appliances. You also need to understand that each of these environments is going to be different which is why you may need a lot of stamina for you to be able to work efficiently.

Unless the call you get is for a scheduled or regular installation or maintenance, most people who call in a plumber usually need the help right away. The good thing about this is that the urgency that comes with this job description usually acts as a kind of job security. However, the bad thing about this is that you may end up working more than 40 hours in a day or you may end up getting calls during the weekends and at night. If you are looking for a career that does not have those late hours, then it would be a good idea for you to opt for pipe fitting, pipe laying, Steam fitting and sprinkler fitting. The mentioned jobs usually require one to have similar skills with those of a plumber.

How much do plumbers make?

The average salary that most plumbers take home is usually $21.94 which is normally paid per hour. If you are an apprentice plumber, then you should expect to earn around half that amount. If you are a plumber who has more experience, then you should be sure that your salary is going to increase as your skills keep on developing. Also, you should bear in mind that your earnings are also going to depend on the plumbing specialty that you have chosen to focus on. Plumbers who have decided to work with the local government tend to earn around $20 per hour while those who work for gas distribution get paid an average of $26.27 on an hourly basis.