I want to become a plumber.
Posted by LaPlebada@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 22 comments
I Am 25 years old living in Dallas. I have no direct experience but I Am a fast learner and want to learn a skilled trade. What are the first steps to take?
Is the IBEW the best and fastest way?
bdlowery2@reddit
You can either join the union and do your apprenticeship through there, or you can find an apprenticeship with a company outside of the union.
In both cases you'll need to go from apprentice --> tradesman --> journeyman --> master, and they'll both require the same number of hours and schooling for each. Some people are die hard union, some people are die hard non-union. There is really no right answer, you just need to weigh the pros and cons of each.
If you don't go the union route (or if you're waiting to start the union) the best way is to just look through Indeed every single day for apprentice jobs. You can also look here - plumberjobsusa.com/plumber-jobs/dallas-tx (full disclosure I own and built the site) or call up local shops around you. It's a long shot, but a couple friends of mine have had look calling up companies hiring journeyman or calling up places with closed jobs.
No_Elephant_3524@reddit
Plumber here! Local 100 is the best place to start man. Go on the website and follow the steps to get started, then drive over to the local 100 training center in Mesquite and hopefully they can get you started with a job, lots of hands needed right now. Hope this helps :)
LaPlebada@reddit (OP)
Okay yes I’m going to do just that. Thank you, yes it does help!
Staff_Beautiful@reddit
I would also apply for jobs at private companies. I applied for local as a j-man and I’m still waiting for a spot according to the contact there.
You can also do job that are plumbing adjacent and apply for an apprentice card to help with work experience.
I started as a hvac maintenance tec then did some shower remodels in my early 20’s as those jobs were more available and didn’t have to start my plumbing life as a total green bean
PressureImpressive52@reddit
Fire Alarm Techs are in demand!
doink992000@reddit
How much do they get paid?
PressureImpressive52@reddit
Of course at your age, I wish I would have gotten my NICET and shipped off to Alaska to make 2600 a week.
doink992000@reddit
Alaska? 😣
PressureImpressive52@reddit
Starting green is somewhere around 13-16/hour. Mid ~20s with a few years under your belt and your FAL license. By ten years with a decent brain, you should be in the upper 30s/hour. Also, (again if you're clever and put in the learning...) there's plenty of field-related type desk jobs for when your body gets tired of climbing ladders.
adralv@reddit
How do you get these jobs without experience?
PressureImpressive52@reddit
Two real path options in our area. You can join a big company like Caruth, ADT, Pye Barker or the like and they will provide multiple options for the low voltage industry. Heck, maybe you find out you like threading pipe and go sprinkler. The other option, and the way I started, was as a cable puller for a small company. In schools and hospitals in Richardson, Plano, Dallas and Garland. This small company did things more properly and presented better training opportunities than a Macro company..but the pay was a bit less... although once you get some Certs you can make pretty decent money. As a great, seasoned, service tech with just a few overtime hours you can clear six figures. The best of em don't work overtime lmao.
thoomikhanki@reddit
Easiest way to become a plumber is to get some official looking cards, a uniform, a labeled van that has 'elite' on there and then just get started. You can train on the job. I've found youtube to be really useful, chatgpt as well. I take a picture of what I need to have done, and they are quick to find a solution. I've built a successful business doing this. Just do it, don't think twice. You don't need to be licensed to make money!
Texas_Mike_CowboyFan@reddit
At least get insurance so you don't get sued.
thoomikhanki@reddit
I buy foreign assets in Europe and am white. No one will sue me lol, and my f they do, they can’t get my stuff and i will declair bankrupsy
Tito_SDobleP@reddit
Go to school my boy
I_SmellFuckeryAfoot@reddit
chat gpt
the-dutch-fist@reddit
If you’re going into a trade in Dallas you’ve picked the right one. Most plumbing in houses built up to the mid 80s is cast iron, and they are starting to fail a lot. There are thousands of houses that are going to need a refit at $40-75 grand a pop over the next 20 years. Lots of money to be made.
SmokedNoodz@reddit
Go on Nextdoor and offer your services. Use YouTube and chatgpt to fill in the knowledge gaps.
/s
Texadoro@reddit
IBEW - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, so maybe try Google or ask AI to get a basic foundation just to start with. If plumbing is your dream the IBEW won’t be where you start.
LaPlebada@reddit (OP)
Yeah I’m gonna do that, just thought I’d ask residents if there’s a company willing to take on helpers w no experience.
But what do you mean it isn’t a good place to start?
Plumbing isn’t my dream just want to learn a trade that keeps money in my pockets
Texadoro@reddit
The IBEW would be for electricians not plumbers like the title of your post.
LaPlebada@reddit (OP)
Oh okay that’s right I got confused yeah I meant the local 100