Plumber

Overview

Guest: Tony Bertolino is a Virginia Beach-based second-generation plumber who, along with his brother Rob, was named the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) 2023 Plumbing Contractor of the Year.

Plumbing is a trade that offers steady work, paid training, strong income potential, and real advancement opportunities. Many people picture plumbing as only fixing toilets or unclogging drains, but the work is far broader and more technical. Based on insights from plumbing apprenticeship instructor and operations manager Tony Bertolino, this guide walks you through what the job is actually like and how to start.

A major advantage of plumbing is that you do not need prior experience to get started. Most people begin by applying directly to a plumbing company, which then hires them as a helper and often pays for their training. Apprenticeship programs combine classroom work with hands-on job training, allowing you to learn while earning a paycheck.

Here is what the typical path looks like:

• Get hired as an entry-level helper, even with no experience.
• Attend a state-approved apprenticeship program, usually in the evenings while working during the day.
• Complete the required classroom hours each year. In Virginia, this is about 144 hours per year spread across four years.
• Log on-the-job training hours while learning skills from licensed technicians.
• Become eligible for the licensing exam, typically after four to five years if you attend school or around ten years if you skip school.
• If you are in high school, this path allows you to avoid student loans while building a high-demand skill set. If you are in college and reconsidering your major, switching into a trade program is often quicker and more affordable than starting a new degree.

Plumbing work generally falls into two categories: commercial and residential service. While both involve technical skills and problem-solving, the environments feel different, and most plumbers eventually realize they prefer one side over the other.

Commercial plumbers work on construction sites like hospitals, schools, government buildings, or large renovations. The workday follows a predictable schedule, beginning early in the morning and ending around mid afternoon.

Common tasks in commercial plumbing include:

• Installing new piping systems and equipment
• Using tools such as soldering torches, pipe cutters, and power tools
• Hauling materials, climbing ladders, and working outdoors in all weather
• Assisting senior technicians with heavy lifting and layout work
• Learning to read plans and follow construction timelines

Commercial work is steady and structured, which many students enjoy if they prefer predictable hours.

Residential plumbers respond to problems inside homes, which requires communication skills and the ability to diagnose issues that are not always immediately visible. Days can run longer because customer needs vary.

A typical residential day might include:

• Riding to jobs with a technician and learning how to interact with homeowners
• Crawling into tight areas such as attics or crawl spaces
• Diagnosing leaks, drainage issues, and equipment failures
• Explaining repairs to customers
• Working past 5 p.m. when service calls run long

If you like variety and talking with people, the residential side can be a great fit.

Plumbing is a field where growth is tied closely to effort and willingness to learn. Even students who start with no experience can advance into leadership or office-based roles over time.

Progression typically moves from basic labor toward independent problem solving and customer service.

As you grow in this path, you may:

• Start as a helper doing basic physical work
• Become an apprentice who learns diagnostics and uses tools more independently
• Advance into a service technician role where you run your own jobs and communicate directly with customers
• Move into higher-level positions such as lead technician or supervisor, where you coach others or handle complex tasks
• The commercial side often leads to project management roles, especially for people who enjoy organizing teams or reading construction plans.

In this path, responsibilities may expand to:

• Running portions of a job site as you gain experience
• Leading crews as a foreman, once you master installations
• Coordinating major builds as a site supervisor or field supervisor
• Transitioning into roles such as estimator or project manager for large projects

Both paths offer opportunities to grow into leadership. Some plumbers even move into teaching roles or eventually run their own companies.

Plumbing wages vary by location, but Tony emphasizes that the trade offers strong earning potential from the start. Helpers typically begin at hourly wages and move up quickly as…