How to Become a Plumber in Utah
As a career choice, plumbing allows for many varied opportunities and has great potential for longevity. If you are good with your hands, have a high degree of physical stamina and don’t mind working in small spaces, this career might have precisely what you’ve been wanting. Are you interested in learning more about becoming a plumber in Utah? This article has the information you need to get started.
The work plumbers do is essential to the ongoing functioning of society. If that sounds like an overstatement, consider the systems that plumbers design, install, maintain and repair. They are in just about every structure in which humans live and work. Piping systems bring water, remove wastes, provide heat and air conditioning and are used in gas systems for industrial and medical facilities.
With such varied uses for plumbing, plumbers need to have a vast amount of knowledge and expertise. It’s essential to know what types of materials can be safely used in a given repair, and what building codes govern the work. Plumbers need to have the ability to quickly find and fix a problem and know how to use a wide variety of tools. Excellent communication skills are a must, as plumbers will often need to speak with clients and other contractors to keep a job running smoothly.
Licenses for Plumbers in Utah
Plumbers in Utah will need to obtain a license from the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. There are four classifications for Utah plumbers: Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Residential Journeyman Plumber and Residential Master Plumber. All licenses will involve taking both a written and practical examination. However, the practical exam can be waived for Master Plumbers who have already passed the exam as Journeyman Plumbers.
Utah Training Programs
In Utah, plumbers can seek training through one of several programs; however, a high school diploma or equivalent will need to be acquired prior to applying. It is also possible to search for an apprenticeship here. A few of the available programs in the state are listed here:
- Mountainland Technical College offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship. Apprentices work in both residential and commercial buildings gaining the skills and experience to work in the field. Graduates will be eligible to take the Journeyman’s licensing exam.
- Davis Technical College offers a Plumbing Apprentice Program as part of their School of Construction. Students will learn to design, install, maintain and repair piping while meeting safety requirements.
- Ogden-Weber Technical College offers a Plumber Apprentice Related Instruction, which awards an Associate in Applied Science degree.
Plumbing Apprenticeships in Utah
As in other skilled trades, apprenticeship is typically the first rung on the professional ladder for plumbers. Apprentices actively learn while following the guidance of their more advanced counterparts. In states like Utah, not just anyone can declare themselves to be a beginning plumber. Instead, you must go through a formal, regulated process.
The specific Utah body governing entry intothe plumbing industry is the Department of Commerce’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Current rules require you to seek an apprentice’s license from this agency. After serving as an apprentice, you can seek work as a journeyman or residential journeyman plumber.
If you’re looking for a Utah plumbing apprenticeship, you might want to consider a union-sponsored program. One such program is offered by Plumbers, Pipefitters HVAC&R Local 140 in Salt Lake City. Apprentices receive pay while building up their skills over the course of five years. Once you complete the program, you can work as a licensed journeyman plumber.
Mountainland Technical College is another potential source for a Utah plumbing apprenticeship. The school’s program is available in Orem, Lehi and Spanish Fork. It provides you with a total of 720 hours of jobsite and classroom training. While enrolled, you’ll be exposed to a variety of work environments and tasks. Davis Technical College in Kaysville also offers a similar, 720-hour plumbing apprenticeship. Fully 99 percent of program graduates find employment after completing their training.
Career and Salary Expectations
In Utah, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn an average annual wage of $58,640, which is slightly below the national average of $60,090. The lowest 10% of earners in Utah make $38,010 or less, while the highest 10% can earn up to $80,510.
National vs. Utah Salary Comparison
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $37,250 | $60,090 | $101,190 |
| Utah | $38,010 | $58,640 | $80,510 |
Salaries by Regions in Utah
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Utah nonmetropolitan area | $27,800 | $47,800 | $72,300 |
| Eastern Utah nonmetropolitan area | $35,520 | $49,950 | $77,350 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $28,530 | $45,140 | $63,760 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | $35,160 | $54,990 | $76,690 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | $38,670 | $47,240 | $77,280 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $41,520 | $62,470 | $82,870 |
| St. George, UT | $31,260 | $46,920 | $73,530 |
Plumbing Trends in Utah
The webpage details employment trends for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Utah and the United States. For Utah, the number of employees in this occupation was 5,430 in 2020, with a projected increase to 7,930 by 2030, indicating a substantial growth rate of 46%. Additionally, it is estimated that there will be 930 annual job openings from 2020 to 2030 due to growth and replacement. In contrast, the nationwide figures show a smaller growth rate of 2% from 482,700 employees in 2022 to a projected 493,600 by 2032, with 42,600 projected annual job openings.
Trends
| Location | Employment 2020/2022 | Projected Employment 2030/2032 | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings 2020-2030/2022-2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 5,430 | 7,930 | 46% | 930 |
| United States | 482,700 | 493,600 | 2% | 42,600 |
Sources of data:
- State Data: The projections for this State from 2020 to 2030 are provided by Projections Central, which offers long-term projections for occupational employment.
- United States Data: The nationwide employment projections from 2022 to 2032 are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which regularly publishes detailed employment projections for a wide range of occupations across the United States.