should you be a plumber? realistic answer.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- another talky talk video. probably won't keep this up but I feel like people should hear this, every video I see about the trade is glamorized and not realistic. plumbing is a hard trade boys. you can make some money but at a cost.
I feel this whole video, I got into plumbing because college didn't work out, never got anything less than a C, got a degree in math and science but it just didn't go anywhere. The only good thing about college is that I'm not in terrible debt but I got into plumbing at 23 just 3 years after college failed me.
I maybe have a better outlook on life than you because my back isn't broken (yet) but I feel everything that you went over in this video, I am salty everyday when I go to someone's house and they seem to make just as much money as me or even more money than me just by sitting in their house all day and "working" for 1 hour a day maybe.
What kills me the most is the overhead and how much I have to charge just to stay afloat and the prices keep going up and up to keep the shop open but I've gotten one maybe two raises in the last 2 or 3 years and everyone already knows that those 2 raises have not kept up with inflation.
Also I hate how much mechanical knowledge you need to be a plumber but everyone thinks you're just a monkey that glues two pieces of pipes together and coincidentally those are the same people whose house you go into and "wow thats so much I thought it would be like $100-$200 to fix everything in my house".
Plumbing definitely has the potential to make some serious money for you but like all jobs for every one guy that opens up his own shop and becomes a millionaire there is also 100 guys like you or me who are busting their ass everyday to keep this impossible infrastructure up and running for wages that are "just okay" while ruining our bodies.
Yoga helps, weight lifting helps, massages help, eating right helps but you definitely need to come up with an exit plan by the time you're 50-60 so you don't end up broke because you're too beat up and old to do plumbing anymore.
Videos an instant classic, need more people like you on TH-cam, everyone cares so much about how they present themselves, this was just real and uncut.
Thanks man. I appreciate that
And today tons of unemployed software developers are watching this video like, 'white collar is not the way to go either.'
Studying corrective exercise is the best thing I did for myself before going into construction. I know how to strengthen and care for my body now and I know how to position my body while working so I don’t cause more pain. I had two budging discs at 25 but it doesn’t affect my work now. I highly recommend finding a certified corrective exercise specialist. Some years ago my mom went from chronic low back pain that had her bedridden certain days to one of the most active 45 (she’s now 55) year olds I know. She doesn’t even hang out at home, she’s always at the gym or out dancing with her friends, thanks to that trainer.
You are definitely right about that. I’m sure if my fat ass is willing to work out a little bit. I’d probably have less issues.
That doesn’t work for everyone because you could be fit and still suffer from the damage and health problems caused by trade jobs, including plumbing.
She’s saying specifically corrective exercises. Not just working out. Do like core training, breathing exercises, posture assessments, focusing on proper form, etc. this will in turn not bulletproof you as no one is invincible to injury but it will at least lower your risk of injury, or lessen the grade of injury when you do get it/shorten the healing time needed, or keep you injury free for a longer time in the trade before it happens.
Point is you will at some point get injured, small or big and exercise is a tool to help prevent injuries not stop them 100%
Just want to add this: do not got a chiropractor. It is not physically therapy. It's basically bs. Ever notice how people who see chiropractors have to 'go back' all the time.
@@VH-ew7oqbro a chiropractor isn’t there to solve all your pain issues, they’re meant for temporary fixes. You have to do your part too in taking care of your body at home
Thank you so much for your honesty and perspective I’m 25 years old just got out of the army and I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with my life and videos like this really help me and I’m sure a lot of others thanks man.
That’s really cool to here man. I hope you the best.
It’s been 2 months, how’s the process going in searching for what you should do? Did you find it?
@@JWALL_ I have found it brother.
@@tylerjaime5094 what is it?
@@JWALL_ me personally I want to be a real estate agent and go from there see how far I can go with it. It fits my needs and what I want
Guys, your back will hurt NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. Every job is has a price.
I agree with you totally and what you said goes with all trades. I'm in NYC and the union "A" mechanics in construction make about $120/hr. They get about $65 an hour for pay and $55 goes into the benefits, retirement, vacation, etc...Here's the issue. The workers are lucky if they work all year and if they don't work all year they are constantly anxious if they will have enough hours for medical benefits. Plus, not everyone gets into the union and what companies will do is as soon as you make top scale they'll lay you off and get 2 top apprentices to do the work. If you work non-union its not worth it they won't pay medical benefits or any other benefits unless you are the working foreman. NYC is about 75% non-union. Stay away
How to get into union in nyc?
@@FlyPolokidget on your knees
Perfectly said, nothing extra. I think it's hard to talk about what someone should and shouldn't do. But you danced by the topic perfectly, I can tell your insight is really well said.
I'm in a weird spot because I already have a college degree but I realized too late that the field I was studying for was highly competitive and would have required me to undergo 6-8 more years of unpaid education just to make an average salary at the end. I figured I might as well go for a trade apprenticeship because the number of years for training would be fewer and my current job as a bike shop manager already has a few transferrable skills. You made a good point about the injury aspect though. Hopefully, there are good ways to reduce the chances of hurting myself on the job?
Most of us that get into this trade are dumbasses who never even sniffed college. That’s why we get hurt. Because were dumb. You’ll probably be smart enough to pace yourself and not get hurt. I have started my own company now and have 6 guys working for me. I just had a 27 year old guy with a bachelors degree apply to be a day one apprentice. He was only asking for $21/hr. I told him I’d start him at $23 and if he sticks with it I’ll get him to $30/hr in 2 years and $40/hr minimum if he gets his journeyman license. This job will make you good money if you really learn it.
@@brasshouse-ogBelieve me...colleges are LOADED with dumbasses
@@brasshouse-og Damn, you making me wanna work for you. Great vid though, especially for those of us looking into the trade but want to hear the real of it.
@@brasshouse-ogare you still hiring apprentices? I will work for you any day
Thank you for an honest perspective. I’ve only seen one other video on TH-cam, which was from an ex-electrician in Canada, who went into more depth, but had similar points, who warned not to look at trades through rose tinted glasses.
I personally think university is a scam and I am no fan of the modern education system, but I don’t agree with the meme that has become “just go to Trade School bro”. I don’t think it’s that simple. It’s framed as this utopian alternative, without talking about the downsides. Not every tradesman is a six figure small business owner and the ones that are generally work very hard for that money. Not to mention the damage to your body which you touched on.
At the end of the day, I think the problem the US faces is the same as Britain, there aren’t enough jobs (due to decades of offshoring) for people that are grey-collar I.E. a job that is a mixture of blue-collar and white-collar. I’m thinking of a technician that works in an automobile or semiconductor factory, or a Swiss watch maker, or a cobbler.
I personally think this would suit a good chunk of the population. If you look at countries, such as, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, and until recently, Germany, you find there is a sizeable number of the population doing these jobs. However, this requires your country to have a strong industrial policy I.E. you actually make things - manufacture and create artisan products to export.
Sitting here with a bulging disc in my lower back ripping 4" cast iron out of ceiling in a retirement home. Been doing it 23 years. Don't make a lot. Long hours. Rough work. Can't really recommend it.
Thank you so much I recently turned 18 three weeks ago I am a strong active Man and my dad owns a labor company I have been doing labor work since I was 16 and I’m already in the union. But I want to become a plumber instead of going to college. I rather work my ass off then having to write 12 page essays in college I don’t think this area is for fuck ups. But let me know your opinion?
I'm also curious
I got into plumbing because I lost my job to a certain mandate in 2021
i love what u said, "trades are for the fuckups"
I am a fuckup, but like a geek fuck up. So I don't even fit in with the trade fuck ups.
@@hhjhj393😂
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Your advice sounds similar to what people who join the military at an older age say
If you’re a kid fresh out of highschool and you have a good head over your shoulders and you have the opportunity to land a good job in banking or anything STEM related, do that instead.
But if you’re a lost 20 something year old or you’re just an older man who’s stuck doing dead end jobs earning a few bucks above local min wage, becoming a plumber or joining the military is a good bet.
It ain’t the best, it’s filthy heavy job but it pays the bills and it’s way better than being some 39 year old with a kid on the way and still working at a warehouse at day and pushing Walmart carts at night just barely scrapping by
2:06 only 2 minutes in and interested I. What you have to say, all I see is negative comments so far lol about the backbreaking work and I’m just like whatt possibly can be so heavy.
I come from a lot of moving, which requires heavy heavy stuff going all over the place in a surprise like adventure of where it’s going like tight condos etc, and stuff weighs anywhere from 50lb boxes to 500lb pianos and safes. Everyday is like a crazy workout and sweating full out clothes in the summer, so not worried about the physical, however. I like to do services and starting a few businesses, and figured plumbing would be the next good idea I see it as almost recession proof seeing that people are always breaking things in their house and needing to fix it, Vs my other things being more of a luxury service.
Before I even finish the vid my question is is this skill something that takes 10 years to learn and master being that some pipes / house appliances are universal but need to know things to look out for or if it’s basic. The main goal would be to just build it as a business and hire out, but worried about efficiency and consistency. Hopefully this will explain it to, but any of your thoughts back you have on this id be enlightened to hear
6:04 def want to make that a move too, but it seems more like a step up
Not about heaviness but it wears and tears you after awhile is what he’s saying, also, if you have improper lifting techniques that can also mess up your back
Nice to hear an honest take on the trades with all the BS videos going around hyping them up and artificially inflating salaries. I tell younger people the same as you, it’s a lot easier to get an education while you’re young, than trying to get one when you’re middle aged with a broken body. The trades you can enter at any age, just show up and grab a shovel, wrench, or a hammer that’s all you have to do, so it’s always an option.
I’m 24 and just made 120k this year plumbing
That’s how it was for me. I own my own company now and I’ve already profited 40k this month. Really think about your body though man. When I was 24 I was as strong as a car salesman’s cologne, don’t use your strength so much. It’s not worth it. Just because you are strong enough to do something doesn’t mean you should. At 24 I never thought anything could hurt me. I was wrong.
So what u saying not to be a plumber if u made $40k profit just in one mounth?@@brasshouse-og
Great video man
2200 for a wh replacement in 2017? Wow bro, of course you made 140k that year. Wow
Wade ?
Is it too late to start at 26
Fuck no. That’s the perfect age to start
@@brasshouse-og thanks
im going from an insurance job to plumbing at 32. Fuck it, id rather learn a skill that no one can take away, that I can go anywhere to do, then have to deal with these blood sucking insurance companies day in and out. Im good with physical labour, lets go
You’ll kill it dude. Seems like you know what you’re getting into and you’ll probably end up happy you made that decision.
I worked in offices coding until last year. The project was moved to India and i got outsourced and realized i was in a bad spot trying to compete with 20,000 other tech workers who were out of the job. I got into plumbing, and its hard, but i have a huge appreciation for the opportunity to build a skill that cant be done by AI or overseas.
I dont disregard your thoughts, but if i could go back, i would have jumped into plumbing a few years earlier.
Rather do this than throw thousands of cases at my grocery store job
"it's a easy job" that's all I've heard being a cashier but it makes like no money at all especially nowadays
Definitely thinking about becoming a plumber I don't even care about the back breaking work man I'd rather do that
@@ItsAO5yea I’m trying to have a good job so I could be prepared to have a family and take care of my parents
@@tainoloco2361 not only that it's a start to a career like a real career
I can speak on this because I have the very specific of having left working at a grocery store to work as a plumber. I loved my job at the grocery store but knew I had to move in with my life, didn’t want to end up like my 50 year old manager who never did anything else with his life. If possible, you should try to make arrangements out so you can still work at the grocery store, even if you’re only working one shift a month or only on weekends. I know I would like the extra bit of income now and I miss my great coworkers but unfortunately I didn’t keep it as a side gig
That’s exactly what I tell people, “if you want to be dumb, you got to be tough “. I’m retired now and followed the hard road. I was a welder. It’s doable, but like you said not advisable.
You just about summed up everything in that video right there much better and more succinct and I did it. That’s exactly it. It’s doable but not necessarily advisable.
I've been plumbing for over 20 years and i have 3 boys. My 2 oldest boys dont have any interest in following my footsteps. Not dissapointed at all because i want them to follow their dreams and ambitions. One plays college basketball and the other is going for his 2nd 3A football state championship tomorrow. that has nothing to do with becoming a plumber😅 I just wanted to brag a bit; I'm a proud daddy. I'm a plumber and I work hard. Play hard. Train hard. And love hard. I love plumbing each day and going to miss it when I can no longer do it. I'm 44 and hoping to have another rampaging 10 years 😎
That’s awesome. You should be proud and I would brag hard if that was me. My son is 6 and he says he’s going to be a plumber like me even though I tell him he isn’t. Now that I own my company I may actually not mind if he worked with me.
@@brasshouse-ogIf your son decides plumbing isn’t for him, I hope you won’t do as these hypocritical trade scam artists like Roger Wakefield or Coffeezilla, etc claim and accuse them falsely of being “weak and lazy wastes of space”.
@@EmilyGloeggler7984 my son very much wants to work with me and very much wants to be a plumber. I am trying to convince him otherwise. This isn’t a good job for anybody really. It’s a last resort not a first choice.
Im a 19 year old plumber from kentucky with 2 years of apprenticeship under my belt and I appreciate the fuck out of you for being so real and giving ur perspective of what it likes in every single avenue of the plumbing trade, I love every second of my job which is for my uncles open shop company, I get to do a little bit of everything but I am mostly new construction. You should post more videos and make them as long as they need to be, the only people that are going to watch this video and ur channel are people that are geniunly interested in what you have to say so dont get all worried about trying to make the video short and sweet. You seem like the type of guy who has some priceless wisdom in terms of ur plumbing career, id do anything to have a mentor like you!
@nickkiosk5513
I read your message and it seemed to come from someone much older than 19. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Keep up the hard fight in life and you’ll go places. As far as this video is concerned, he talks from the heart. I’m retired now and fought that “hard life”. Honest people are definitely not rich, but we sleep soundly at night, with tired bodies, doing what was right for others. Nick you are respected, from colleagues, family and those that matter.
Update ?
@@FlyPolokid still at it and loving every day, this july 13th i will meet all requirements to take my journeymen test and become a fully licensed plumber 👍
@@nickkiosk5513how was the test?
Residential service plumber here for the last 12 years. Would totally prefer this over new construction plumbing. That’s just my opinion though. I can’t stand rough in work all the time day in and day out. Would much rather repair things, it’s always something different and each day is a new task. Roughing in new homes everyday gets old fast!
23 years old and I’ve been doing plumbing for 4 years, after 3 years of being an apprentice and grinding this is my first full year as a technician and I made 90k this year and I will tell you the money is good but man it is super stressful
What’s the most stressful part?
I’m a plumber. It’ll make a man out of you. When you first get in it. Youll say Damn I got to learn all these damn fittings. Next thing you’ll have to learn is how to fix all the different types of plumbing. Getting it down packed under your belt. Experience, it’ll come, money it’ll come. But learn from your mistakes. Don’t be a half ass plumber.
But every trade you gonna have some sort of physical labour even painting and decorating
Can you wear a suit to not get shit 💩 over ur body ?
yeah there’s safety protocols and protective clothing
Revisiting this video I actually did work for 2 plumbing companies since December of 2021. I did mostly residential rough plumbing like renovations mostly. I actually put in my 2 weeks the other day, to start driving trucks until I open a business of my own of some sort. I just don’t feel like Plumbing is something I see my self doing for the rest of my live. But the past 2 years was pretty good definitely glad I gave it a shot and I will miss it a little
The problem with college now is that it's very expensive and many of the jobs you can get with the degrees are not good paying. The question is what about being a plumber makes it so hard on the body? There has to be better ways to deal with it.
It’s the fact u basically put your body in crazy amount of stress and can’t really take breaks and this stress on the body usually is on the spine leading to back pain and in worse cases if the pain is severe enough they might need to take meds and this can cause a addiction
Hello, I started my plumbing apprenticeship when I was 14 at a vocational high school and was a licensed journeyman when I was 19 and a master plumber at 27 . Ive done all aspects Commercial, Industrial, residential new construction and service. I'm 50 now so I've been in the trade for 36 years and I would recommend this trade but don't be young and stupid wrestling boilers and water heaters use the correct equipment. I bought a powerd stair climbing hand 10 years ago best money I've spent. I would recommend residential service work there's always work and good pay with service. With new construction there are a lot more up's and down's and building contractors tend to go with the lowest bidder so to make money you have to be fast and quality of work suffers. Also I recommend once you get licensed go out on your own be your own boss it gives you amazing flexibility for family life. If you do go out on your own its just as important to be a good business man as it is to be a good plumber knowing your trade. Know your actual numbers, what it cost you to provide a particular service. You can work really hard and do outstanding work and not make money.
That was a really really good comment. I made this video about four years ago. Since then, I started my own business up and it’s gone really well. I found everything you said to be absolutely true.
Was a domestic plumber for 8 years in Australia, left the trade cause it burnt me out and left me jaded. The rough ins dont stop in Australia, for every rough in you do, another two rough ins pop up. The stacks must go on.
Returned to the trade after nearly 10 years at the beginning of this year 2023, after 8 months back on the tools I am broken, my knees are wrecked, my back & even my hips.
Shouldve been an electrician, you get to fit off cute little lights.
Electricians can also be dangerous and deadly.
Yep, electricans sure are a dangerous and deadly group of people...
I can NOT agree more with you. I went into plumbing right out of high school since i had two brother in-laws in the trade and they had there own companies up here in Chicago. I hated school but wanted to make a lot of money so it was a no brainer. Two and a half years into my apprenticeship I started having breathing problems. Went to the doctor thinking I had high cholesterol from all the gyros I was eating everyday turns out after 20 years of never being allergic to anything I developed an allergic reaction to dust and mold basically ending my career in any trade. Went back to school and I just graduated with a business management degree last week :) If I were you BH, I'd let him work plumbing for a year. Show him what real work is. Once he is digging canal in 100 degree weather covered in shit and he goes on his lunch break and checks his phone and sees all his friends on snapchat and instagram partying and have the time of there lives. He'll go back on his own hahahahahaha
Bro, your story about upselling the granny was hilarious 😂. I havent laughed like that forever!
I just started College in the UK (16 yrs old), I have good grades but still decided to apply for plumbing because I was lost and hadn’t put any thought into what I wanted to do in the future and so I picked the easiest option (imo) which I thought was plumbing. Now I’m a week in and honestly I can’t imagine myself doing this for more than a year! So I decided to look at the other course options and decided I want to change to engineering after talking to other college students. This video was definitely the nail in to coffin which convinced me to change courses. Thank You so much for making this video and helping young people like me make a more well informed choice on what we want to do in the future!
Having worked trades and office jobs both: office will work you harder and put you in the grave sooner.
Which trades?
@@mc1870- rebar, concrete, concrete cutting, shotcrete, and now construction surveying. My back never hurt as badly as sitting in an office chair all day
It’s now very realistic answer it’s more neurotic answers about predict everything. Also about back, try some exercises for back, I worked in moving several years and I’m fine, because I’m always do core exercises. It’s useful even for people who even don’t work physically, especially for those who don’t work physically!
It’s a back breaking job. Even the sewer clean outs looks back breaking to me. Day in day out that will destroy your back
It's refreshing to see a truthful video on here
Was having second thoughts about not becoming a plumber but yeah this video sealed the deal. definitely not pursuing this trade. The government is trying to tell kids my age to pursue trades like plumbing by only showing the good things like job security, high pay, no degree, but don’t talk about the backbreaking work. Plus everyone thinks plumbers are a bunch of dummies who lay pipes even though job takes so much mechanical thinking. Props my guy. 👍🏻
Its a great second or third option but its decent. I earn 6 figures as a plumber but I'm already maxed out on pay. There are literally no more raises for me to get. The only option I have now to increase my income is by opening my own business. Opening your own plumbing business may be worse than anything because you have to potentially work harder than you did for someone else and now you add a ton of stress to the damage your body is already taking. I'd recommend becoming a project manager if you want to be in the trades or work for a supply house. Supply house sales guys make stupid good money and they're still in the construction industry so they can cuss and still be with the guys but they keep their shirt clean and have potential to make 250k/year working behind a desk.
Plumbing and electrical are the only things that separate us from a 3rd World country, there’s nothing wrong with it.
@@brasshouse-og
6 figures is a very good amount my man. All you need is save and invest properly so that you have retirement nicely.
I think the government (and society) are telling young kids to go to college and it’s like you either go to college or you won’t get anywhere in life. But they don’t tell them that a lot of college students get debt or struggle to get jobs afterwards.
@@MarkBurgess-q6jalso everybody has to poop and pee, and WATER. We need plumbing for water. Everybody needs water.
I guess im a screw up. Ditched meds school love tech start ups never was able to do a successful start up
@@efexzium are you sure you tried it for long enough? It takes a really long time you know. You might be down on your luck millionaire and just don’t know it.
College. I’m sick of listening to that word. Look out the window and wave your hand in front of your face.
Military first. Lost my security clearance, got non ranked for rest of my enlistment for making typical teenage decisions but in the service. Went to college, never finished my bachelors, got out with an associates. Went into business, working for corporate, got bored, started my own thing. Great for a few years, tides turned business sold to break even. While that may be my story how I ended up in plumbing, i disagree with you that it’s not a solid place to start. You can make over 3 figures, in 4-5 years, because I did it. Being dependent on your body, yes to a certain extent. When your body fails you can act in only a supervisory role or what they call a non working superintendent. The trades need more young people. It’s a great decision to choose a trade straight out of high school. If I had done that, I would easily be a millionaire at this point in my life. Right now I’m on track to achieve that in my 40s.
I totally agree with everything you said. It can work out that way. It worked out that way for me and I have become a wealthy man off plumbing. My main point was that it don’t work out that way for most people in this trade. I shot right by dudes who had been plumbing for 20 years when I was still a pup. I was a supervisor at age 25. I own a multi million dollar company right now at age 35. You and I are the exceptions to the rule. Most people just eke out a decent living and don’t thrive like you and I have.
Mans just saved my life
I live in a small town 2 hours from LA, yet everyone says be a god aka nurse or plumber but with my uncles already doing that, and hating there lives divorced and dew people that work there jump off the towns historic bridge in the highway. The pay was decent but I don't want to end up like my uncles
I just left the trade to go into the IT field. Lost interest in this trade and didn’t see me doing it anymore.
Your body will thank you for that lol
@@brasshouse-ogThanks for replying. Definitely am in the uk so we don’t even earn anywhere near you guys. But I just lost interest as said before. Plus I looked at the older guys on my team lot of back and knee problems. Want to do something that interesting to me as hell we spend most of are time at work so might as well be something I like a little. Selling my tools and my brother is having the rest as he a carpenter. Well best of luck to you I’ll definitely stick around too see you’re plumbing adventures and you’re company grow.
How did you jump into IT? Did you have any experience?
I'm union plumber in Illinois I agree I'm 49 back shot. Should been electrician
Hi, can you elaborate on this?
I'm about to become apprentice but I'm trying to decide between the two
@@mochiescalonaat the end of the day you gotta do what interest you…if you choose what interests you more you will excel both financially and physically there’s no right and wrong decision when deciding between becoming a plumber or electrician
the ending bro 🤣🤣🤣
im 25 with only job experience is 7/11 and weed this is the future that awaits me 😢
It’ll be all right. If you’re smart, and you work hard, it automatically puts you in the top 5% of Plumbers. You can make a lot of money within a year or two if you really really apply yourself. I didn’t want to glamorize the trade at all in this video, but there are lots of good parts to it that I didn’t go into.
Hey I am 30 working at Amazon, got a cdl but hated truck driving, so other than that no skills. I am surviving, but not like most other men lol.
Jsut had to changeout a bathroom faucet and I hated every step. Never doing that shit again.
Plumbing makes good money, but its for fuckups... me who hate school :( >:(
Another route in plumbing is going into the water and sewer industry with a municipality or private contractor. I basically plumb on the public side, and clean sewers etc
I’m a f*c up imma try it
If you’re in the Dallas area and looking to learn this trade I’ll hire you if you have reliable transportation
@@brasshouse-og thanks for the offer man but im down here in houston. appreciate it really.
you made 140 grand in a year and complaining? don't get it....
The way you make it matters. I make a whole hell of a lot more now and I still bitch about it. The reason being the only way you can make the money that I’ve made in this trade is if you sacrifice a lot, including your body and your work life balance. The only way to get ahead is to give a lot of yourself away.
Wow.. well said.. 30 yr master plumber here (non-union superintendent) plumbing since 91'
I'm at that half century mark with over 60% of my life given to this trade. I feel the edge isn't as sharp, the motor doesn't spin as fast & the air gets thinner despite all the damn dust... this trade will kill you and the owner class won't care as long as we train replacement apprentices.
As someone who’s been lost for a while, I’m now 30. I’ve worked rebar and I’m with the union. I’m currently looking into getting something like paralegal or something in law. This man is 100% right, people tend to forget that plumbing is labour intensive.
Exactly: it never dawns on most people that the plumbing requires using your body for 90% of it.
If you enjoy any aspect of law and can make a decent living, I wholeheartedly support your choice.
I’ve been a pipefitter/ hydraulic tech for almost 20 years, now doing plumbing and a little steam fitting. I don’t like the work, but at 53 have few options.
Just got out of the Army and struggling to figure out what to do with my life. I’ve considered plumbing recently cause I got kids and every place online makes it seem like it’s rainbows and fairy dust. But I’ve actually been skeptical seeing all these rich people on TH-cam telling young people to be plumbers and that draws a red flag automatically for me. thanks for being honest. I’ll go back to school for engineering now
That's a great plan man, especially if you can get your schooling paid for. No one ever tells you what these trades do to your body. I love my job but I hate when guys glamorize it, it's a litteral shit show.
Apprentice plumber on my last year of being on a card. So far into the trade that I don’t know what to do at this point because I really hate my job but it’s the only thing I know well. If you want a lot of false promises and if you want to work harder than what you’re being paid definitely become a plumber.
Yo they have this thing called helmets to hardhats . Call your local union plumbers and tell them you just got out of the military . They will for sure take you in
I see why mario doesn't do plumbing work
Is it to late to start at 42?
100% true. I know exactly what ur sayin..
Excellent video
Very realistic 👍🏻
Does every plumber have knee problems? They make it seem like all you gotta do is wait to be a journeymen and do hella side work and Vhala! 6 figures.
That sounds pretty accurate. You have to think about the top end of it though. I’ve been in this trade for 17 years now and make what people consider to be good money. I’m absolutely maxed out on pay. I’m well above union scale and have good vacation but that’s about all I can hope for. You can work your way up to out earning me by putting in 17 years at a grocery store and be general manager making 150k/year just chilling in an ax office making sure the meat comes in. The top end is the problem and the damage it does to your body long term.
@@brasshouse-og Damn, guess i'll either go into technology or the medical field then. Sad they're selling a dream but truth be told unless you have an exit strategy like investing then your body is basically screwed.
Being a plumber is great. Depends on what your goals in the field are; commercial, residential union or non union or mechanical
My goal is to work hard and earn as much money to invest as much as I can while I’m still young, and once I get older, getting a generic office job if I don’t have my own company by then
I feel like that’s the only way. You don’t want to coast through life when you’re young and then decide to work super hard once you’re old and close to retirement age.
Hey I appreciate you telling us the realistic side of plumbing. I was thinking of going into plumbing and was wondering, do you have a lot of free time on the weekends? Also is it hard to fit in gym time when you work as a plumber?
If you do construction plumbing, you’ll definitely get a ton of free time on the weekends and it’s easy to schedule stuff like going to the gym. If you do service plumbing work, it’s very difficult to schedule things like going to the gym unless you go early in the morning and you do have to work weekends a lot. Service work pays a lot more but it dominates your life.
@@brasshouse-og thank you for the swift and thorough response!
If I may ask one more question, would you say you're financially comfortable after obtaining your journeyman license? Like you don't need to worry about bills or u can eat out more often.@@brasshouse-og
Coffeezilla and other trade promoters fail to be fully honest as you do. I agree. If you want to do that shit, pick your poison. If you want to do a job that isn’t going to shorten your life, then pick your poison. Find what ethical job works best for you and especially if you are like us, homeless and in medical debt.
Transitioning from plumbing to plumbing sales. Being a master toilet mechanic is over rated.
I heard you are in the Dallas area. I am in Mesquite and just graduated highschool and dont know where to start at all, i would love to start working for you and build up from there
I would rather be a plumber than be $80,000 dollars in student debt with no guarantee of employment.
If you can own a business doing plumbing you will mske a grip
It’s funny you say that lol. I just made a video about my business
Ya uh ok roofus
Great video, thanks brother!
Good advice
Is it still possible to be a plumber if I'm partially color blind?
You have to consider Ai and robots will replace a lot of those jobs a college degree will get you. The skilled labor shortage is only going to get worse than it already is. Plumbers will be one of the top earners in this country within the next 10-15 years because of high demand and low supply and knock on wood but we can never be replaced by robots or ai. The tools, technology & equipment are making the trades easy on your body by the day. Take care of your body by eating right sleeping right
Exercise, strengthen your core and lower back, stretching etc
Buy equipment that makes your labor easier
purchased a toilet jack last year
Thing is a back saver
Get some good Knee pads
Working on getting a bobcat e10z for working in tight spots to where I don’t have to dig those smaller holes/trenches with a shovel anymore
Find a good Helper to cut your load down
Always be looking for ways to save your body and investments from a young age to where you don’t have to work till your 65.
I think you gave your nephew the wrong advice with the direction the world is heading
My whole point is plumbing ain’t going nowhere. While you’re young, take a chance on something that’s easier on your body and can make even more money. If that shit doesn’t work out or you fuck around and party the whole time, you can come back to plumbing and make a good living for the rest of your life.
Preach I tell people this everyday trades will be the most paying job in the future hands down
The whole point of AI is to replace skilled labor. We’re about 10-15 yrs away from driverless vehicles, 3D printed homes, and humanoid robots replacing almost everyone who works with their hands. I’ve been hearing “trades people are going to be top earners” for the last 2 decades. Wages are about the same as they were 20+ yrs ago. The worst possible advice you could give someone right now is to ignore getting an education and just learn a trade.
The whole “trade shortage” nonsense is nothing more than a ruse being put on by large companies and the general public that have taken advantage of the huge labor pool since millennials joined the boomers/genx in the workforce in the late 90s. College wasn’t anymore affordable then , than it is now and the large influx of workers has allowed them to suppress wages\prices in the trades for the last 25 yrs. Now with boomers retiring, and older genx/millennials leaving due to stagnant pay, health problems, and finding better careers the market isn’t as saturated as it used to be, and employers / customers are having to compete more for help. Which is a good thing because, wages and prices are about 25 yrs behind what they should be. Not to mention there is a lot more career paths (without back breaking labor) that can lead to a six figure salary that didn’t exist 25 yrs ago, and gen z is small so there’s just not enough of them to replace those that are leaving.
I agree that taking care of your body is of the utmost importance, but this whole AI is going to replace the white collar sector is just silly. Assuming that it did , where do you think those people would go, and who’s home would you be repairing? I’ve been in the trades 20+ yrs and rarely call in help for home repairs, unless it’s something I can’t do alone roof, concrete, etc…
He gave his nephew the right advice. The best possible thing a young person can do right now is get educated in this new technology while they’re young. Then they’ll have options on what career path they want to take. Most high paying jobs in tech require a degree just to get started, most trades jobs all you have to do is be willing to show up.
@@jasonkoplen2554I agree and disagree. I will just make one point for you. Oil is finite, if you assume that humanity finds alternative energy sources that allow us to keep progressing then sure, BUT what if we don't? What if oil does become lower and lower quality, harder and harder to get, and what if we begin to slowly lose all these technologies we have come to rely on?
Your comment at the beginning assumes that humanity will keep progressing, which is NOT guaranteed, in fact it's kinda looking like it wont happen at all.
We don't really have a viable alternative oil, everything else is kinda a joke. Most other alternative energies still require fossil fuels to build the machines.
In a world of more expensive energy skill, manual labor, and local products will have to return. The only reason why everything is made in Asia is because energy is cheap. We can afford to pay a chinese person $1 an hour, then put everything on a ship and motor that ship to the USA. If diesel is too expensive it wont make financial sense to do that anymore.
Your Back Hurt Because Of your NECK . Research : NUCCA Upper Cervical Blair Upper Cervical , Advanced Orthogonal Treat The Root Cause And get Well
🍝🦆
I’m going to assume that’s a compliment and thank you
I know real talk when I see it, I appreciate it.
Short answer, no. We all know that electricians are the Kings of the Tradesmen.
They certainly make the most money on average. But don't be fooled electricians have to work just as hard as plumbers if not harder. I would caution anyone entering that trade to plan for the future on day one as well and be prepared for your body to get its ass kicked. As a plumber I would say that electricians are right up there with plumbers at the top of the skilled trades. One could argue it takes more knowledge to be a good electrician and more skill to be a good plumber. Either one is going to kick your ass though.
@@brasshouse-og I started my electrical apprenticeship 47 years ago ! I have been doing estimating / project management the last 30 plus years so.
I have buddy thats an electrician that just got $6k for several hundred feet of super thick wire he pulled out in 2 days. Electricians are definitely the king of the trades when it comes to good scrap lol.
@@brasshouse-og Yessss....some nice scraps can be had !
@@CruiserMac So you've been through the wringer then. I made this video because people always glamorize the trades and tell young people its the best route for them. That may be true in some cases but I certainly think that a job that doesn't require your body should be the first choice for many people. Im 32 now and have been a full time pkumber since I was 16 and have already put serious miles on my body. If you aren't ambitious and focused and have a desire to move up then the trades are only going to lead to a middling income and a wore out body. I've done very well but many of my relatives are still on their tools in their 50s and 60s and their bodies are destroyed.
I’m leaving my warehouse job of a year. I’m a warehouse picker making $23/hr but it’s taxing on my 24 year old body. I chose plumbing for the knowledge I could potentially gain. Do you think that’s a good reason or should I go into landscaping?
You’ll never go without work if you become an efficient plumber. You can get fired from a job and get a new job before you get home. The new job will probably pay more money to. You can move across the country and find work in no time if you are good at plumbing And I just wish I would’ve considered taking care of my body better and building better habits when I was younger like I never wear gloves unless I’m running a sewer machine. I never wear hearing protection or safety, glasses and shit like that and I should. At the end of the day I make more money than I thought I ever could and I do enjoy the work I do if I I would recommend it if you have the right mindset.
@@brasshouse-og thank you for the reply. I’m definitely trying to take good care of myself. Especially after a hernia repair. I think I’ll give it a shot.
@@arlflors6273 I need to make a video updating where my career has gone since that post but Plumbing has been very good to me. By age 26 I was making 6 figures and I never looked back.
@@brasshouse-og yeah please do, I’d be interested!
@@brasshouse-ogI have a question if you could please answer. I just started my plumbing career as a residential & commercial sewer and drain tech. I want to continue this trade but don’t want to physically damage myself. Do you think you could’ve prevented back pain?? If so how? What do you recommend?
the ending 😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
yeh i loved this video
i watched the whole thing
Its a never ending pissing macth
I am great at math and science 🧬 but does jobs suck the pays is way to little.
I’m in highschool and school ain’t my strongest thing but I mean I’m passing. but I hate school like I want to do college but I don’t because it sucks. I want to do trade school but I mean idk, I’m just tryin to find myself
Brother in your situation, I would highly recommend you join the union. They love to hire guys right out of high school who are motivated to get their careers going. You’ll have to go to class two nights a week, but within five years you’ll be making 40 bucks an hour. I’ve seen a lot of kids like you come right out of high school and join the local and then in about three or four years they’re making more money than their dad. It’s a guaranteed growth plan. If you don’t like it, you can get out after a few years and go somewhere else. Just know that your body won’t be tough forever. When I was 24-25 I could not find the bottom of my strength and it was not a good deal. Don’t push your body. That shit breaks down.
@@brasshouse-og you think being a electrician is any better or it’s just the same shit?
@@MoneyBagD855 electrical is really really good. Some of those guys make a shit load of money. The only thing that plumbing really has over electrical is that we are more in demand. It’s harder to hire good plumbers than it is to hire good electricians. If you are really good at plumbing and really smart, you can make your job your bitch. You become irreplaceable really fucking fast. I got some buddies that are in electrical and they make good money and it’s a good job but it seems like it’s harder to stand out. As far as I know, the highest paid trades are aircraft mechanics and elevator technicians. Those are both awesome awesome trades to get into that no one really thinks about as much.
I just got offered a plumbing apprentice job, I don't have any experience , I am currently in college for cyber security, but I do need a good paying job for the next 2 1/2 years , would you say it's even worth dabbing in or skip it? It's 55k minimum position
I'm leaving IT for plumbing
@@MarzMindset DAMN
Stick with cyber security. Companies and government need them. You can try plumbing but finish that cyber security degree.
I’ve been on new residential construction sites with all the trades. It sucks man. If you don’t have your own company van or unless your trainer will give you a ride; you have to drive to all the sites yourself and they can be very far. Sharing portapotties that smell like shit all day. You will have to buy most of your tools.
@@MarzMindsethave you left yet, and what’s your reasoning for leaving
I want the harder life. I was raised spoiled
Plumbing will give it to you. This ain’t desirable work we’re doing here.
I have 2 days left to decide if I want to register into the plumbing and heating program in my area. I've been having a lot of doubts. I am not a handy person nor a mechanical. I also have sciatica nerve pain that occurs every 3 months. However, I am analytical and very focused on detail. I like to problem solve and have very good sense of judgment. I can be an overthinker more than a doer. I am 27 personal trainer, who do Uberr eats on the side and also have merch. Money is not always consistent due to clients. The reason why I chose plumbing is to eventually become an entrepreneur and work for myself on my own time with this specific skill. Would you recommend I apply for plumbing school, although I am not a handy person, have occuring sciatica and tend to be an overthinker/ critical thinker ?
Since I made this video, I have opened up my own plumbing business and have grown rather quickly. I’ve got a lot of videos about my experience as a plumbing business owner now. If you are smart, and you work hard, you can really really set yourself apart in these trades. HVAC can be a really good trade, but it is also very labor-intensive, especially in the south. If you can get into commercial HVAC, it’s not as labor-intensive, but it’s still pretty heavy. if you commit whole hog to either one of those you can make a bunch of money but it is certainly a long road and it is a lot of work. The over thinking part can be a good thing. Most of the things that are time consuming you develop muscle memory for so you can’t really over think it. The over thinking can be helpful.
Hey brother, got any update on your decision?
@@Krel-888 yeah man Im still doing the trade in plumbing. I passed my mechanical piping exam friday. Im starting drainage tomorrow. Not going to lie I am passionate about this trade but me not working with tools before makes me feel a bit back but ill try to stick tbrough it. Hopefully I dont get discouraged. Thx for the follow up
@@kberaera7141 Good to know brother. Im still deciding to join the apprenticeship next year, did you went to union for your apprenticeship? Im still an office worker as of now but I've worked with tools (thanks to youtube) so I'd say i have little knowledge to using some.
Im still a student, I am not an apprentice yet
Thank you
I’m 16 my self and like I need to work with my hands or something so I’m probably gonna end up in the trades like I go to a trade school rn and I am considering either new construction contractor plumping contractor I have a back up plan tho my family owns a sanitation company so I’d either open one up myself and drive garbage trucks around put I needa do something with my hands and what not cause like I’m dyslexic and got adhd so even if I wanted to workin an office I couldn’t
If you're really ambitious and driven you can make a lot of money. It will wear your body out and you need to think about that in advance. If you go in with the understanding that you have to bust your ass and do everything you can to get ahead while you're young so that when you're in your 40s you can be more at like a desk job I'd recommend it. That's not as easy as it sounds though most guys end up working with their tools their whole life.
@@brasshouse-og yeah man, for me tho I’m not fit for a desk job like I wouldn’t be successful
@@joeybuldo3008 me either but I would have been way cooler to get a degree in project management or something and got a dope ass job where you work in the field alone but you don't destry your body. That being said, if you go to a trade school or join a union and bust your ass and make the boss money as if it were yours and you will make a shitload of money by the time its all said and done. I dont regret being a plumber I just wish I knew to consider the fact that you need your body for it and your body breaks down. When I was 18 I didn't think I would ever feel it in the morning but that shit hit me hard by the time I was 28 and 12 years in to my career.
@@brasshouse-og yeah man like ig that’s just part of the game I have a friend his dad is a construction worker and he has the construction workers back he calls it but there are definitely ways in the trade and what not that u can avoid that
@brasshouse9822 does electrician not wear out their body like plumbers?
Is there anyway pervent messing up your body
You can but it’s really hard. This is a tough job and ultimately involves a lot of up and down and carrying heavy things and working on things in hard to reach places. Plumbing repair work is hard to sell and price accurately because all of it is underground and in walls and you can’t always see it when you are giving a price to repair it so you never know what you’re going to get when you expose it. Often times you end up in a tough spot of doing something a little hairy to get the job done and on budget. If you are conscious of the potential damage to your body you can be smarter but that’s not as easy as you would think. Ultimately most plumbers have issues with their back and knees.
@@brasshouse-ogi still want to be become a plumber but I don't want to own a business.
My uncle got divorced because he work too much and his wife cheated on him
But from what I have understood, I knew a few people that did plumbing for a fair amount of years and they all said knee problems can actually get avoided if you wore knee pads, since most of the damage comes from resting your knee on hard surface for a big amount of your shift. As for back problems, honestly if you can, wear back braces, try not to lift things you can’t lift and always lift with your legs. It’s what they’ve told me
@@Gowther444facts but those safety measures must become instinctive because all it takes is one bad lift for a lifetime of pain and suffering and as I could Imagine back problems= sex problems! And as men we don’t need that! Lol
Sage Advice
Had to be said. All these videos on TH-cam that try and tell people what its like to be a plumber glamorize the trade and they try and make themselves feel better about it by only saying the good stuff. There are some real negatives that never get mentioned.
I live in Massachusetts and the average pay for a plumber is like $60 an hour. You can get a $30 an hour job as a mechanic.
I made this three years ago, and nowadays plumbers average about 35 to 38 in Texas. Where you are at in the country makes a difference in the pay. It is all relative to where you live. The house I rent and Dallas cost me $1100 a month and I’m sure it would be closer to $3000 a month in Massachusetts.
Wow never thought it like that I thought the pay was the same everywhere for this trade. And you’re right about the rent/mortgage.
@@jerryanderson909 I’m a former union member and I had 4 guys at my last shop who came from a local in the Bay Area of California and they were making over $60/hr scale and say they make a better living in Texas at $35/hour. In Michigan at the union training center when there’s guys from all over the country in different locals all the guys in the Northeast and west coast brag about their pay per hour and then all the guys on the south brag about their houses and acres of land. It all works out to be about the same really.
Never send your kid to college, This guy is Not Correct on Plumbing or the trades , don't listen to his hard luck story
Why don’t you check my channel a bit before you say that. I’m fairly successful in this trade.