MEET THE PRO: Josh Gross, Plumber
By Arkansas Next on Monday, October 25, 2021
Hometown: Bentonville
Age: 25
Where I trained: Northwest Technical Institute
Where I earned: Journeyman Plumbing License, Master Plumbing License
Job title: Master plumber and plumbing service manager
Employer: Paschal Heat & Air
Josh Gross was able to work through school, allowing him to have an income while earning his licenses. By the time he was done with school, he had no student loan debt.
“I completed school much sooner than my peers,”Josh says. “I also got started in a career much sooner than most, allowing me to be financially secure, buy my first home and start saving for my future while a lot of my peers were just finishing school and coming out with a lot of debt.”
Josh thinks most people don’t understand how complicated and technical plumbing jobs can be, but he gets to wake up every day and know that his job matters.
“I decided I wanted to become a plumber because it gave me the opportunity to work with my hands,” Josh says. “I get to solve people’s problems and learn something new every day."
"As a service plumber I am able to work with customers and solve different problems daily, as opposed to being on a jobsite doing the same thing every day.” –Josh
WHAT DOES A MASTER PLUMBER DO?
Manages a team of service plumbers from apprentice plumbers to master plumbers and monitors work progress and quality
Responsibilities
- Ensures tasks are completed in a timely manner with the highest level of workmanship
- Ensures customer satisfaction
- Works closely within department to improve processes
- Helps facilitate a smooth workflow for plumbers and a hassle-free experience for customers
Education needed: Complete 640 class hours and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training before being allowed to take the journeyman plumber test. Once you become a journeyman plumber, you must wait a year before being allowed to test for your master plumbing license.
Job Outlook
► +16% expected growth from 2018 to 2028
► 4,120 jobs in Arkansas by 2028
► 480 average annual job openings in Arkansas
This option is for you if
- You’re a people-person
- You enjoy tools and tinkering
- You have a positive attitude
- You’re punctual and reliable
- You have good hand-eye coordination
High-end earners (top 10%) make
$61,940
Median wages in Arkansas
$41,940 Annual
$20.16 Hourly
START YOUR TRAINING
• Arkansas Construction Education Foundation
• National Park College
• Paschal Heat & Air
• University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
READY TO HIRE YOU
• Paschal Heat & Air
Sources: bls.gov and careeronestop.org
