Why Plumbing Is the Best Trade to Enter Today
By Steven Shipler, MBA, CPA, Texas Licensed Master Plumber, Entrepreneur & CEO
If a young person asked me today which trade I would choose if I were starting over, my answer would be immediate:
Plumbing.
Not because I’m a Master Plumber.
Not because I own plumbing companies.
Not because I’ve built businesses around the trade.
Because after spending nearly twenty years in corporate America, earning an MBA, becoming a CPA, working for Deloitte, and later becoming a licensed Master Plumber in multiple states, I’ve seen both worlds.
And I believe plumbing offers one of the greatest opportunities available in America today.
Plumbers solve problems every single day. When you solve problems people desperately need solved, you will never be out of work.
Reason #1: Plumbing Can’t Be Outsourced
Many careers are changing rapidly.
Artificial intelligence is replacing tasks.
Automation is replacing jobs.
Remote workers can perform many office functions from anywhere in the world.
But when a sewer line collapses under a home in Dallas, nobody from another country can fix it.
When a water heater fails at 2:00 AM, someone has to physically show up.
When a gas leak is discovered, a trained professional must respond.
Plumbing requires skilled people on site.
That reality creates long-term job security.
Reason #2: Demand Continues to Grow
America has a growing shortage of skilled tradespeople.
For decades, young people were told that college was the only path to success.
Meanwhile, fewer people entered the trades.
Today, many Master Plumbers are approaching retirement age.
The demand for qualified plumbers continues to increase while the supply continues to shrink.
Basic economics tells us what happens next:
Wages rise.
Opportunities increase.
Business ownership becomes easier.
Reason #3: Plumbing Creates Entrepreneurs
One of the things I love most about plumbing is that it creates entrepreneurs.
Many plumbers begin as apprentices.
Then they become journeymen.
Then they become Master Plumbers.
Eventually many decide:
“I can build my own company.”
The barrier to entry is significantly lower than starting many other businesses.
A truck.
Tools.
Licensing.
Knowledge.
Hard work.
That’s how countless successful plumbing companies began.
Plumbing doesn’t just create jobs. Plumbing creates business owners.
Reason #4: The Income Potential Is Outstanding
People often underestimate how much skilled tradespeople can earn.
A successful plumber can generate an excellent income.
A successful Master Plumber can generate an exceptional income.
A successful plumbing company owner can create significant wealth.
The best part?
Many plumbers enter the workforce with little or no student loan debt compared to traditional college graduates.
Reason #5: Plumbing Is Recession Resistant
People can delay buying a new car.
People can delay remodeling a kitchen.
People can delay many discretionary purchases.
But when:
- A sewer backs up
- A pipe bursts
- A water heater fails
- A gas leak occurs
- A slab leak develops
- A toilet overflows
The problem must be fixed.
That creates demand regardless of economic conditions.
Reason #6: Every Day Is Different
One thing many people dislike about office jobs is monotony.
The same desk.
The same meetings.
The same routine.
Plumbing is different.
Every day presents new challenges.
Every house is different.
Every commercial building is different.
Every customer has a different problem.
That variety keeps the work interesting.
Reason #7: You Help People
This may be the most important reason.
Plumbers help people.
When someone’s sewer is backing up into their home, they need help.
When a family loses hot water, they need help.
When a gas leak is discovered, they need help.
The work matters.
You leave every day knowing you solved real problems for real people.
My Advice to Young People
If you’re 18 years old today and considering your future, don’t overlook the trades.
If you’re changing careers, don’t overlook the trades.
If you’re a veteran transitioning from military service, don’t overlook the trades.
If you’re looking for a career that combines skill, income, entrepreneurship, and long-term opportunity, seriously consider plumbing.
America needs plumbers.
And the future has never looked brighter for the profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is plumbing a good career?
Yes. Plumbing offers strong income potential, job security, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
2. Can plumbers make six figures?
Many experienced plumbers, Master Plumbers, and business owners exceed six-figure incomes.
3. Is there a shortage of plumbers?
Yes. The industry faces a growing shortage of skilled workers.
4. Is plumbing recession proof?
No industry is completely recession proof, but plumbing is highly recession resistant because people always need water, sewer, and gas systems functioning.
5. Is college required to become a plumber?
No. Most plumbers enter through apprenticeship and licensing programs.
6. Can plumbers start their own businesses?
Absolutely. Many successful plumbing companies began with one truck and one plumber.
7. Is plumbing physically demanding?
Yes, but modern equipment and experience help reduce physical strain over time.
8. What is the highest plumbing license?
In many states, the highest license is Master Plumber.
9. How long does it take to become a Master Plumber?
Requirements vary by state, but generally involve years of experience and testing.
10. Would Steven Shipler choose plumbing again?
Without hesitation. Plumbing remains one of the greatest opportunities available today.
Final Thoughts
The future belongs to skilled people who can solve difficult problems.
Plumbers solve problems every single day.
That’s why I believe plumbing is the best trade to enter today.
It provides opportunity.
It provides stability.
It provides entrepreneurship.
And most importantly, it provides the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives.
— Steven Shipler