Are you planning to work as a plumber in British Columbia? This is a promising career since the demand for plumbers is on the rise in the area. The prospect for success in the profession is also high. Like with most other careers, one of the critical questions to ask yourself is the amount you would make. It’s obvious you need to earn a high amount to also progress in your life. So, how much does a plumber make in BC? This is what this article explains in detail.
What Determines the Amount You Earn?
Plumbers in BC don’t make the same amount. Several factors determine the amount earned. Thus, it would help if you considered all the factors to maximize the amount you can earn in the plumbing profession. Here are some of these factors.
Education Levels
Your education level greatly determines how much you earn when employed or self-employed as a plumber. To earn more, you need to be trained through apprenticeships. These are programs that offer more detailed training in the plumbing industry. They are available through organizations or unions. It takes about four to five years and integrates classroom learning and on-the-job training.
With both in-class instructions and on-the-job training, you can be sure to earn more since you get high-level qualifications and skills. You will be equipped with safety and health administration safety training courses, first aid training, and basic topics in plumbing. On-the-job training boosts your skills since you learn how to perform more complex plumbing work and learn about building codes and customer service. After the training, you become a certified and licensed plumber increasing your likelihood of earning more whether you are self-employed or work with a plumbing company.
Experience Levels
Like in most other professions, the more experience you have in plumbing, the higher your worth. You gain experience by having worked in the plumbing industry for many years. For instance, if you have 10 years in the industry, you can expect to earn more than another plumber with just three years, even if they have higher education levels than you. The point is that you need more years in the field to get greater financial rewards, so patience is critical to reaching your high-earning goals.
Do You Want to Work as Self-employed?
Your earnings are also determined by whether you work as self-employed or with a plumbing company. If you want to work as a self-employed, you can set the amount you search for all the plumbing services you provide. You also have more control over the clients to work with and the number of plumbers to hire to assist you since you may not work alone. The amount charged is determined by your expenses and the profit you want to make. Note that even when you are self-employed, your education and experience levels also determine the amount you earn. Clients will be willing to pay you more if they find you have high qualifications and extensive experience in plumbing services.
Size of the Plumbing Company
Whether you are self-employed or working for a company, the company’s size determines the amount you earn. You will likely earn more with a large plumbing company since you have more clients. If you are employed in a large company, you also enjoy a higher salary and other benefits. You will likely earn more bonuses since you are also given more hours to work. With a large plumbing company, you can expect to offer more services to clients, leading to better pay. Furthermore, you can expect regular salary increases and enjoy a higher pay grade than those working in smaller firms.
Area of Specialization
The amount you earn is also determined by the plumbing work you specialize in. More complex jobs are well-paying since they require high-level skills, and the jobs take more time to complete. For example, you earn more if you specialize in repiping, water heater installations, backflow testing, or polybutylene replacement. On the other hand, if you just work on basic plumbing works such as sink repair or toilet unclogging, you can expect to earn less.
How to Boost Your Plumber Income in BC
When you start working as a plumber in BC, you might earn below-average wages or as you try to get more clients for your company. Thus, it would help if you thought of ways to increase your earnings as fast as possible. The best option is to improve your specializations and qualifications. Furthermore, you need to gain more job experience. With vast experience, clients will have more confidence in your work and be willing to pay a high amount for the services offered. Aim to become a master plumber by passing more exams and getting more credentials.
You can also earn more by setting up your own plumbing business. When employed by a company, your income is determined by your company and earns a steady wage before you can get an increase. Working in a company is good at the start of your career to help you gain experience in plumbing and business management. However, after you gain the required experience, you can earn more by working for yourself. You will be able to charge a higher amount and also hire other plumbers to work for you. Besides, you should also use state-of-the-art plumbing tools that allow you to offer high-quality plumbing services.