Plumber Salary: 7 Factors That Determine What You Can Make as a Plumber
Becoming a plumber takes 3-5 years because you have to complete an apprenticeship. Some aspiring plumbers also go to a technical college or school to learn more about the theoretical aspects of their job, but this might not be necessary, depending on the requirements in your area. Once you have your basic degree, you can start working independently, but it's unlikely that you will earn the highest salary possible unless you complete additional certifications. For example, you might specialize in a certain field, or you might go on to become a master plumber who can train apprentices. It's important to keep in mind that there is no national plumbing certification, and each state has its own requirements. If you're thinking of moving in the next few years, check what kinds of qualifications you need to be able to work in your new location.
Generally, plumbers living in large metropolitan areas such as New York and Los Angeles can expect to earn more than those living in rural areas. The average hourly wage is $28-29, but you can earn more in places like San Diego, CA, Houston, TX, or Phoenix, AZ. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that your quality of life will be better in a city because the cost of living is also higher. Before moving somewhere because you believe you can earn a higher wage, carefully analyze how your expenses will change in the new place. Some cities aren't very affordable, for example because property is very expensive or because you'll have to spend a lot more on food and entertainment. These high costs might eat up your additional money.
General plumbers tend to have a lower wage than people who have specialized in one specific field of plumbing. After you've worked for a few years, consider whether continuing your education could be a good step. By that time, you'll know which areas of plumbing you find particularly interesting and what
skills you're very good at. For example, you might decide to work as a commercial pipe fitter. This job involves installing pipes in factories, central heating and air conditioning systems, and hydroelectric power plants. Alternatively, you could become a gas service technician who installs systems that deliver gas to businesses and homes, services existing systems, and repairs faulty mechanisms.
One of the most important factors that controls your salary is your employment situation. The plumbers with the lowest wages and the worst benefits are often those working in small businesses, since these companies don't always have the resources to pay top dollar. Big plumbing firms are economies of scale, so they can offer higher wages and excellent benefits. Keep in mind that this is only a general guideline, and it might not apply to your area. The best way to increase your income and gain control over your working hours is to become self-employed or start your own small plumbing business. That way, you don't have to share your profits with an employer, and you can even hire other people to work for you. While employed plumbers are limited by their hourly wage, there is no upper limit to how much a small business owner can earn.
No matter if you're employed or self-employed, you won't be able to achieve a high salary unless you serve your customers well. Every time you visit someone at their home or business, provide them with the best service possible. To make an excellent impression, arrive on time, clean up your workspace after you're done, work quickly and efficiently, and tell customers about the cost of your service upfront. When developing your skills, don't focus solely on the technical aspects. It's just as important to work on interpersonal and soft skills. Excellent communication, stress management, teamwork, and critical thinking can all help you to improve your customer service.
It goes without saying that plumbers who have several years of experience are more likely to earn a high wage than those just starting out. Professionals with more than 10 years of experience can expect around $11 per hour more than those who have recently qualified. This is good news because it means that you can expect an increase in your salary over time, especially if you perform well and continue your education by attending advanced classes.
The faster you can complete your tasks, the more money you can earn. While some people naturally work more quickly than others, there is a lot you can do to improve your efficiency. For instance, you can plan your days ahead of time to make sure you don't have empty slots. If you have customers living in the same neighborhood, schedule them straight after each other, so you don't waste time driving back and forth. Home service software can help you with this because the program makes it easy to create and alter schedules. It can also automate your social media marketing strategy, turn your work orders into invoices, store your customers' data on a convenient platform, and send you reminders to follow up with people. A good program can save dozens of hours each month and even replace an administrative assistant. As a plumber, you can earn a lot of money, but only if you have the right qualifications, work efficiently, and hone your customer service skills. Becoming self-employed or opening a small business could also be a great way of increasing your income. Give us a call at ServiceBox to find out more about our home service software and how it could simplify your admin tasks and improve the service you provide.
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