6th and Main, 2021
As a plumbing and HVAC firm, we proudly help our employees become journeyman certified. Many of our employees start as apprentices or pre-apprentices, and with time and effort, they complete the necessary licensing and work requirements to become full journeyman plumbers. Of course, we’re a little biased, but we think plumbing is a great career choice. Why? Let us tell you.
In the United States, there are approximately 480,600 licensed plumbers. Each year there are also nearly 50,000 job openings, and the job outlook growth is projected at 4%. The median salary is $55,160 per year or $25.62 per hour in 2020. The lowest 25% of the industry professionals make around $42,330, while the top 25% make up to $75,370. While these are just average numbers and may vary by state, they show that choosing a career as a plumber gives you decent wages and job prospects.
Another advantage of a career in plumbing is that you can start right after high school or even during high school. We often hire pre-apprentices who work hourly while completing their high school degrees. Their accumulated hours and job experience help them transition to becoming full apprentices. Starting an apprenticeship as a plumber is a great way to earn money while developing your career. Each state has different licensing requirements, so your path to becoming journeyman certified might look a little different depending on where you live. Since we work mainly in Utah, Idaho, and Colorado, we wanted to share some requirements for each state.
Utah
In Utah, there are approximately 5,840 plumbers, and you must legally be licensed to perform plumbing work of any kind. There are seven licensing levels in Utah: apprentice plumber, Journeyman Plumber (JP), Residential Journeyman Plumber (RJP), Master Plumber (MP), General Plumbing Contractor (P-200), and Residential Plumbing Contractor (P-201). Each licensing requirement has a specific set of hours you must work, classroom training, and a licensing exam.
Idaho
There are 1,680 plumbers in Idaho, and to begin your apprenticeship, you must first be licensed by the state. Apprentices must be registered for their time working towards their journeyman, usually about four years or 8,000 hours. You can earn six plumbing licenses: Plumbing Apprentice Registration, Plumbing Journeyman, Plumbing Contractor, Plumbing Speciality Apprentice Registration, Plumbing Specialty Journeyman License, and Plumbing Speciality Contractor.
Colorado
There are 8,670 plumbers in Colorado, and you must register as an apprentice before attempting any plumbing work (except in your own home). After two years of working with a licensed plumber, you can apply for your registered plumbing license. In Colorado, there are three types of plumbers’ licenses: residential, journeyman, and master. Each licensing requirement requires a certain number of hours of practical experience, passing a state exam, and licensing fees.
Joining the plumbing industry is a great career choice. You’ll constantly be learning new things. There are plenty of opportunities to advance your career, and you will start earning a decent wage right from the beginning. So if you’re looking for a solid, dependable job that is constantly evolving, a career as a plumber might be the best choice. We are now hiring at all our locations, so call us at (801) 254-4038 if you want to work for an industry leader like us!
