In today’s modern Pennsylvania, plumbing refers to practically every aspect of a person’s job, including controlling the important flow of fluids in residential areas to the circulation of liquids or gasses in industries and companies. A plumber in Pennsylvania is quite an expert person who is appointed to manage, organize, assemble, operate, and restore a variety of pipes and fittings.
Being a plumber in the twenty-first century entails considerably more than unblocking a sink pipe. Trying to deal with drainage infrastructure in corporate, domestic, and commercial properties provides a solid job with a decent income. This article will walk you through the process of becoming a certified plumber in Pennsylvania, which will allow you to find a career as a Journeyman or Master plumber or pipefitter in Pennsylvania.
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How To Obtain A Plumbing License In Pennsylvania?
First and foremost, you should be aware that if you wish to work as a plumber in Pennsylvania, you must first get a plumbing license. As a Journeyman or a Master Plumber, you can prove yourself eligible for a plumbing license.
It’s critical to grasp the distinction here.
Journeyman plumbers do a wide range of plumbing tasks, such as pipe and tube maintenance and alterations, as well as equipment fitting. Master plumbers, on the other hand, can operate, build, construct, and change pipelines and fittings.
In simple words, we can say that master plumbers are much more expert and experienced than Journeyman plumbers and the requirements for becoming the Master plumber are often more detailed.
Getting Journeyman Plumbing License In Pennsylvania
Apprenticeships in plumbing are in high demand. To be qualified for a journeyman license, you must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a GED or a high school diploma from any US state, ideally Pennsylvania.
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have legal permission to study and work in the United States. this requirement is very crucial for the people who moved to Pennsylvania outside of the US.
The plumbing applicant may also be required to provide a Pennsylvania driver’s license, proof of US citizenship, and take an admission exam.
Second, he may also need to contact any regional contracting company to discover a government apprenticeship scheme. Moreover, he must apply for the position and join the question and answer session.
So if you want to act as an apprentice, you must complete 2000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 224 hours of theoretical training. After that, you’ll be able to apply for a plumber’s journeyman license in Pennsylvania.
Getting Master Plumbing License In Pennsylvania
However, if you want to become a master plumber and get a certificate/License of Master plumbing in Pennsylvania you must fulfill the following eligibility criteria.
- Successfully pass the test session required to become a master plumber in Pennsylvania
- Complete the classroom course of more than 500 hours which is approximately around 576 hours.
- Must be above 21 years of age.
- Finish a four-year on-the-job training program
- Have at least one year of experience as a Journeyman
You must register for the exam 45 days ahead of time and submit the assessment fees. You must also send your work proof.
(This is subject to change based on the jurisdiction in Pennsylvania.)
In addition, plumbers in Pennsylvania must be insured. The insurance policy provides protection that varies depending on the level of the license, the nature of maintenance and repairs performed, and the location.
Apprenticeship Requirements
A plumbing apprentice is a person who gets to know all of the responsibilities of an apprenticeship technician while working under the guidance of a journeyman or master plumber.
It is critical to note that apprentice programs in Pennsylvania are always approved by the state to ensure you receive a license once you complete them.
Numerous online recruitment portals in Pennsylvania can help prospective plumbers discover state-approved apprenticeships such as:
- CareerLink
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
Only those with a high school degree and who are at least 18 years of age are allowed for an apprenticeship.
The application cost of $25 must be submitted, and you must apply for membership in an open internship through a local construction firm.
More About Pennsylvania Plumbing License
Plumbing licenses in Pennsylvania are controlled by counties or local agencies rather than the state. As a result, ambitious plumbers should notify their supervisor construction authority for licensing and licensing requirements. Other professional construction roles in Pennsylvania, such as electrical contracting, follow the same approach.
The most important concern of the plumbers regarding the licensing requirements is whether or not these all eligibility points are valid for all the people living in different areas or counties in Pennsylvania.
Here is the answer.
Plumbing rules and processes are basically and originally the same throughout Pennsylvania’s cities and counties, regardless of the lack of a state-wide licensing system. So no matter where you live in Pennsylvania, you will have to fulfill the given requirements of becoming a Journeyman or Master Plumber.
The town of Susquehanna, which asks for somewhat different costs than other towns or counties, is an exception to Pennsylvania’s standard plumbing regulations. Keep yourself quite knowledgeable about this exception especially if you live anywhere near the town of Susquehanna.
Salary and Demand for Plumbers In Pennsylvania
The scope of plumbing in Pennsylvania can be understood from the fact that the number of people employed as plumbers, including both Master and Journeyman plumbers, across the country is 500,300, which is much higher than the number of tasks required in other technical jobs. A skilled (intermediate) plumber’s annual income is $55,160, and it rises exponentially with seniority.
The demand for all types of plumbers in the Philadelphia part of Pennsylvania is highest and it is due to this reason the plumbers are heavily paid, numerically up to $61,746. Then comes Pittsburgh where the average salary of a moderately expert plumber is $56,619. The average salaries of plumbers in Allentown, Erie, Upper Darby, Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem, Merion, Station, Bensalemb are $57,309, $53,095, $61,000, $57,016, $53,055, $57,309, $61,746, $64,915, respectively.
A licensed plumber’s hourly pay ranges from $16.76 to $24.26 per hour in Pennsylvania, based on his\her academic achievement, competence, and licenses.
This pay rate can vary depending on the company, as we mentioned the average salaries of modestly experienced plumbers in various parts of Pennsylvania.
Keep in mind that plumbers are in a growing market right now, with a projected 16 percent increase in demand over the next few years.
Final Verdict
Even though training in plumbing in Pennsylvania during the job appears to be the only way to learn to plumb properly, it also needs a range of professional and conflict abilities in conjunction with something like a strong academic foundation. Thus, it would be right to say that plumbing is a rewarding occupation that is also one of the most physically demanding occupations, especially in Pennsylvania.
However, plumbing professional programs and licenses will aid students in launching their jobs, developing commercial skills, and preparing them for professional life, making them more and more suitable for market demands.
Well, this was a comprehensive guide on how to become a licensed plumber in Pennsylvania, you can get more information by getting in touch directly with the plumbing institutes and trade schools in Pennsylvania.
