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Pay: Seattle-area plumbers who work for others make a median annual wage of $53,000 for less-experienced workers and $57,000 for the most experienced, according to salary.com.
The job: Plumbers install and repair the water, waste-disposal, drainage and gas systems in homes and commercial and industrial buildings. They follow building plans or blueprints and sometimes become more involved in the design process.
Physical strength and stamina are required for lifting heavy pipes, standing for long periods and sometimes working in uncomfortable or cramped positions.
Demand: Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average, and job opportunities for skilled plumbers are expected to be very good.
Training: Most residential and industrial plumbers get their training in career and technical schools and community colleges and from on-the-job training. Those who work for nonresidential enterprises usually learn through formal apprenticeship programs: four or five years of paid on-the-job training, plus some classroom work.
Licensing: The state tests and certifies plumbers and trainees.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.stats.bls.gov/oco
Read more: Salary and benefits , What this Job Pays
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