At one time or another, every part of your home will need repair or replacement. From the electrical wiring to the plumbing and heating and cooling systems, anything can break down or wear out. These essential parts of your home require a great deal of knowledge, skill and experience to repair. A novice could easily become injured or cause even more damage to the appliance or house. Consider these four essential services that you cannot live without as good job prospects.
Heating and Cooling
No matter where you live, your home needs a source of heat and some type of ventilation and cooling. Furnaces, boilers and heat pumps use a fuel such as natural gas, propane or electricity. These systems also have many mechanical parts. An experienced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technician works to ensure that this critical part of your home is operating safely and efficiently. So as long people need heated and air-conditioned homes HVAC Technicians will have jobs. The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $45,110 in May 2015. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) “Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Candidates familiar with computers and electronics and those with good troubleshooting skills will have the best job opportunities as employers continue to have difficulty finding qualified technicians to install, maintain, and repair complex new systems.”
Plumbing
Plumbing is also essential to your home. A broken down plumbing fixture or pipe can quickly lead to major structural damage to your home. A plumbing problem can also lead to unsanitary conditions and health problems. A dependable plumber is an important person to have available when things go wrong with the toilet, sink, tub or pipes. So there will also always be jobs for plumbers. The BLS lumps Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters together. Most of these professions only require a High School education but often require an apprenticeship or trade school diploma to get a job. But many localities require you to prove your proficiency and obtain a license before you can work unsupervised. The profession is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations and the median annual income was $50,620 in May 2015.
Electricity
Today’s homes are filled with dozens of electronic gadgets, appliances, lights and other electrical products. From the outlets to the wires and the electrical panel, everything must be in working order to avoid shocks, damaged products or electrical fires. Employment of electricians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for electricians was $51,880 in May 2015. But there are other jobs involving electricity as well.
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries. But unfortunately, according to the BLS, “Overall employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2014 to 2024. However, growth rates will vary by specialty. Job opportunities should be excellent for qualified workers with an associate’s degree in electronics along with certification.” The median annual wage for electrical and electronics installers and repairers was $55,160 in May 2015.
Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment. They are also involved in the manufacture and deployment of equipment for automation. But “Employment of electrical and electronics engineering technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2014 to 2024. Employment of these technicians is projected to decline in manufacturing and in the federal government.” The median annual wage for electrical and electronics engineering technicians was $61,130 in May 2015.
So although the median salary for electrical and electronic installers, repairers, and engineering technicians was slightly higher it might be beneficial to focus your training on the areas of growth. Companies like HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, are always looking for plumbers, electricians and HVAC technicians and so you will always have a job if you focus on one of these specialties.
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