What is it like to be a plumber?
Asked by VirtueOfIntolerance
I'm considering a major career change. I'm a programmer making about 40K/year and I hate being in front of a computer all the time. I saw an offer to train a plumber apprentice. The base salary during training is 52K so that's even better than what I'm making now. I'm handy with tools and things like that, I have an engineering degree as well, but I just want a job where I feel like I make a difference in someone's life instead of being an office decoration.

Best Answer:
When I was working for Hood Plumbing, we picked up our materials before daybreak, and had to be on site by 7AM after a drive of from 1-2 hours. Working outdoors in the weather, you start by digging trenches for the house foundations. And it's not all done with the backhoe. You WILL use a shovel. Mexicans piss in the bathtubs you have to install, pipes get clogged with all kinds of rubbish, which you have to get cleared. Carpenters nail through your copper piping, so you have to redo quite a lot of work. Then there's the climbing around unfinished floors, installing piping into second story baths. The fun part is the finish work, but finish queens don't get much respect. Or maybe you'll be a snake man, and get to clear the **** out of the lines. Don't play in the water, you can get parasite worms in that stuff. Are you SURE you'd rather do that than sit in a comfortable office?

My uncle is a plumber, and he owns his own business. (the guy is loaded) There's a lot of money in that field.
Answered by Someguy

If you own your own business and do well then you'll make a hell lot of money. I know a couple of plumbers who manage their businesses efficiently and they're rolling in dollar bills
Answered by Sexiest Man Alive