Plumbing isn’t just for men anymore because women are entering the industry that the male population has traditionally dominated. Many women plumbers enjoy their jobs as it’s not only rewarding, but they also receive their share of admiration from clients and coworkers.

Despite this positive development, women are still underrepresented in the plumbing business. It is unfortunate because plumbing careers are secure and lucrative. With many plumbing companies actively seeking out the best talent, it shouldn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman.

What Percent of Plumbers Are Females?

The Department of Labor reports that only 1.4 percent of plumbing workers are women. This is not surprising because when people think of a plumber, the picture often created in their mind is that of a man. Although it is still somewhat rare to find a woman plumber, the number is growing, which is expected to continue in the coming years.

Female plumbers are gradually paving the way for the future of the trade. They are proving to be a valuable part of the workplace, even though there are still several obstacles they need to overcome.

Famous Female Plumbers

Although plumbing is a technology that dates back to ancient Rome, its development to what it is now comes only in the 19th century, when the concept of an indoor plumbing system was first introduced.

Since then, men like Julius Adams, William Campbell, Isaiah Rogers, Al Moen, and Fred Addee have been credited for coming up with plumbing innovations. Women plumbers were practically non-existent until 1951. Here are some famous female plumbers who made some impact in the industry:

1. Lillian Baumbach

In 1951, Lilian Baumbach Jacobs, then only 21 years old, took the exam for master plumber certification and passed it with the highest score in her class. She is the first American woman to receive a license as a master plumber.

The feat made Lilian a celebrity, landing in several newspaper articles entitled ” Pretty Plumbing’ Pen Pal of 250 Men” and ” Cutest Master plumber Plans Joint Life With Auto Repairman.” An American Army infantry even made her its pinup girl during the Korean War.

2. Adrienne Bennett

It wasn’t until 1987 that America had its first African-American female plumber, Adrienne Bennett. Adrienne was an acknowledged industry leader who eventually overcame racial and gender discrimination to get certified as a licensed master plumber. After years of plumbing fieldwork, she is now the CEO of her own contracting business and mentors young plumbers while advocating for the trade she has learned to love.

3. Josephine

Although she was not a real-life plumber, “Josephine, the Plumber” somewhat opened the possibility for women to consider plumbing a job. She came Into being in the 1960s when Comet, a cleaning products company, ran a series of plumbing commercials with a female plumber named Josephine. It was the first time a woman was seen doing a plumber’s job, making Josephine an iconic character for many tradespeople.

Benefits of Hiring Female Plumbers

Having a diverse workforce has its benefits. Yet, some plumbing businesses remain hesitant when it comes to hiring female plumbers even though they could help introduce the following:

1. Personal Touch

Women tend to give their all in the things they do, especially work. They tend to be more compassionate and more nurturing. This behavior can change the way plumbers do their work.

2. Better Support

By including more women in a male-dominated business, workers get to feel that there is more openness in the workplace. It will create a better work environment, increased job satisfaction, and regular employee retention.

3. Customer Comfort

A female plumber is essential to a successful plumbing business because she can provide a level of comfort that many stressed-out customers need. It is not something that they readily find among male plumbers.

Challenges Facing Female Plumbers

The percentage of female plumbers is still small with plumbing remaining largely a man’s world. Women trying to find a place in the industry face several challenges, such as the following:

1. Lack of Opportunities

The lack of opportunities is a significant obstacle for women wanting to enter the plumbing industry. The hesitation among hiring companies has its roots in social norms. Many still believe plumbing is too dangerous, dirty, and heavy for women to handle.

2. Transition to Employment

There is a significant gap in the numbers of women who majored in the humanities while in school as opposed to those who want to work in the technical and practical fields. This indicates that women are more likely to face bottlenecks when transitioning from school to work.

3. Hiring Process

Plumbing companies must actively consider hiring men and women to overcome stereotypes and perceptions. A review of the existing hiring process should be done, especially if there are clear indications that male plumbing applicants are preferred. Research shows that changing certain words in job postings can increase the number of women who would consider applying for a vacant position.

4. Network Connections

A lack of mentoring and networking opportunities is another issue that a female plumber has to face. These connections are essential for professional development, and the plumbing industry must strive to create a more inclusive environment. Women must get to feel that they are welcome to join a male-dominated industry.

Key Takeaway

Can women be plumbers? With more women entering various industries, this is one question that should no longer be asked. The situation is rapidly changing as women are proving themselves to be worthy of being called professional plumbers.

The road to success is still a long way for female plumbing aspirants as several challenges continue to hound female plumbing experts. These include the lack of connection to job opportunities where they are qualified and a hiring process that still prefers male plumbing applicants.

Contact Absolute Electrical Heating and Air for plumbing works that need that special and professional touch.

When it comes to plumbing issues, no one else can address them better than Absolute Electrical Heating and Air. We are the acknowledged experts for anything and everything related to plumbing.

With more than a decade of outstanding service, we have an experienced Denver plumbing team composed of highly-skilled men and women who can efficiently handle any plumbing problem you’re facing. Call us and discover why we are the best.