Changing Your Career from Plumbing
The daily grind gets to us all. As a plumber, you’re doing manual labor nearly every day. That takes a toll on your body and mind. It may be time to consider changing your career from plumbing.
Whether you want better hours, better pay, or better growth opportunities, you don’t have to stay where you’re at. There’s a better way forward! Explore real options that help plumbers achieve fulfillment and success.
Why Do Plumbers Want to Change Career?
Some plumbers may feel stuck after years of working in the industry. Several factors contribute to this feeling.
Building a career is difficult enough. In plumbing, you’re doing hard work day in and day out. For more experienced plumbers, the job can be physically demanding. Handling back-breaking work and long hours can lead to burnout.
Another struggle for working plumbers is the pay ceilings. While many trades offer competitive salaries, jobs like plumbing restrict how much you can earn based on experience. Advancing takes several years and additional certifications which can discourage apprentices from pursuing their careers.
Whether it’s the manual labor or the pay ceiling, feeling stuck can cause several gifted trade workers to leave the plumbing industry. However, knowing your options can help you begin changing your career from plumbing.
Knowing Your Options
No matter how frustrated you may feel in your current position, starting something new is intimidating. However, knowing that you have real options can boost your confidence. You can transition to a new career or advance in the plumbing industry.
Transitioning into a New Career
Transitioning into a new career can open the door to so many opportunities! The first step is listing all the skills you’ve developed during your plumbing career. Transferable skills are key in changing your career from plumbing.
When exploring new job opportunities, start with careers that could use your existing skillset. You may also find opportunities you never considered but align more with your values or passion.
Explore five potential alternative careers for plumbers! These roles can benefit from your existing knowledge and skills, but they may require continuing education or certification.
1. Plumbing Designers
Plumbing designers create blueprints for plumbing systems in homes, businesses, and industrial buildings. They ensure efficient water flow, proper drainage, and compliance with building codes.
This is a natural fit for an experienced plumber! Years of hands-on experience provide a strong foundation for understanding system layouts, pipe sizing, and water pressure requirements. Your skills in problem-solving, reading technical drawings, and knowledge of plumbing codes make this a natural career shift.
2. Construction Management
Construction managers oversee building projects, ensuring everything stays on schedule, within budget, and up to code. They coordinate between different trades, manage teams, and handle project planning.
Plumbers already have experience working on construction sites, understanding blueprints, and collaborating with contractors. Leadership skills, project organization, and knowledge of plumbing and mechanical systems make you a strong candidate for this role.
3. Building Inspection
Building inspectors check structures to ensure they meet safety and code standards. Plumbing inspectors, specifically, assess pipes, drainage, and water systems to ensure compliance.
Plumbers already know local codes, common installation mistakes, and safety concerns. Your hands-on experience allows them to spot potential issues quickly. With additional certification, building inspection is a great alternative career for plumbers.
4. HVAC Technician
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technicians install and repair climate control systems in homes and businesses. This field offers strong growth potential and job stability.
Many HVAC systems involve piping, gas lines, and drainage—areas that plumbers already understand. A plumber’s mechanical skills, troubleshooting abilities, and experience with pressurized systems make HVAC work a logical next step.
5. Renovation Crew Member
Renovation crews work on home improvement projects, often updating outdated plumbing systems in fixer-uppers and remodels. Plumbers already have the skills to replace old pipes, reroute plumbing for new layouts, and ensure water systems are up to code. Your expertise is invaluable in historic home restorations and modern upgrades.
6. Water Conservation Specialist
Water conservation specialists help homeowners and businesses use water more efficiently. These specialists often work with sustainable plumbing solutions.
Plumbers understand water usage, efficiency, and system leaks. Your knowledge of water-saving fixtures, gray water recycling, and eco-friendly plumbing practices makes you well-suited for this growing field.
Advancing Within the Plumbing Industry
Becoming a plumber takes years of hands-on training, but career growth doesn’t stop after an apprenticeship. Advancing to a journeyman or master plumber requires more experience and training, but it also brings higher earnings and greater independence.
Even at the master level, new opportunities exist. Many seasoned plumbers take the next step by managing or running their own plumbing businesses. Others expand their expertise by specializing in advanced techniques or technology-driven solutions.
Technology plays a key role in modern plumbing careers. From customer service software to innovative, non-invasive repair methods, learning new tools can set you apart from the competition and increase efficiency.
By continually building your skills—whether through leadership, technology, or specialization—you open the door to greater career opportunities in the plumbing industry.
Moving Forward with Accurate Leak and Line
Since 2002, Accurate Leak and Line has specialized in noninvasive plumbing solutions. We believe that efficient repairs with minimal damage provide complete customer satisfaction. Our team of licensed plumbers makes thorough diagnostics a priority for effective repairs.
Additionally, we work to replace failing systems while avoiding unnecessary excavation. Our team will spend their time repairing pipes, not digging trenches.
If staying in the plumbing industry is the right move for you, Accurate Leak and Line can elevate your plumbing career. Our company is growing quickly and expanding across the United States. We’re always looking for talented master plumbers to add value to our teams.
Want to advance even further? Accurate Leak and Line has management opportunities at our corporate-owned locations nationwide. In this leadership role, you can gain experience running a plumbing business without the risk of ownership.
If you’re ready to break out of a stagnant plumbing career, Accurate Leak and Line can help. Explore leadership roles that challenge and reward your expertise. Join our team today!