Plumbers and welders both hold essential roles, but which trade truly reigns supreme? One side emphasizes how every building and house needs running water and functional restrooms, while the other points out that everything from cars to pipelines to refineries depends on welded metal. Below is a lighthearted look at the debate, plus insights on how each craft contributes to modern life, and a peek at the kind of paychecks each can earn when the demand for skilled work gets serious.
Why Plumbers Claim the Crown
Plumbing is often called the oldest profession (after that other one), and for good reason. The ability to supply clean water and remove waste has been critical to public health for centuries. Without proper water lines, drains, and fixtures, civilization would come to a grinding halt.
• Health and Sanitation
Doctors widely acknowledge that safe plumbing has prevented the spread of diseases on a massive scale. Clean water for hand-washing and sanitation has saved countless lives.
• Everyday Necessity
Most people rely on plumbing multiple times a day. Whether you’re showering before work or flushing the toilet afterward, a lack of running water quickly becomes an emergency.
• Aging Infrastructure
Many cities have outdated water and sewer systems. Skilled plumbers can fix or replace old lines, making a direct impact on community well-being and property values.
Why Welders Insist on Being Number One
Welders connect the pipes, structural beams, and industrial machinery that keep society running. From oil refineries to car frames, so much of what we use daily is held together by skilled welding.
• Industrial Backbone
Pipelines transport the gas we need to fuel our cars, and factories have labyrinthine networks of pipes that are all welded in place. Without a competent welder, many industries couldn’t function.
• Building It All
Large-scale projects like refineries, power plants, and bridges rely on welding to fuse steel structures. Welders also contribute to advanced fabrication for complex mechanical systems.
• Potential for Big Checks
Some specialized welders, particularly in pipeline or industrial work, can earn extremely high wages—especially if they’re willing to travel or take challenging jobs that require top-tier certifications.
The Debate on Which Trade Is More Essential
• Fundamental Needs
Plumbers often argue that humans can skip a car ride if needed, but can’t skip water and waste removal for long. Welders counter that everything we use or drive has welded components at its core.
• Career Paths
Both professions offer a wide range of opportunities, from residential plumbing or structural welding to more specialized fields like gas line installations and pipeline welding. Each has union and non-union options, licensing or certifications, and steady demand for skilled labor.
• Teamwork on the Job
In large commercial or industrial settings, plumbers and welders must collaborate to complete projects. Plumbers map out how water and sewer lines will run, while welders ensure the big pipes and metal supports are joined securely.
Earning Potential and “Monster Checks”
One standout feature of the trades is overtime and specialized assignments. Plumbers might rack up massive hours over a weekend shutdown for a high-rise or manufacturing facility. Welders can find lucrative pipeline gigs in remote locations where few others want to go.
• Memorable Paydays
Some welders recall bringing home checks that hit five figures in a single week—though that often involves 100+ hours on the job and living in tough conditions. Plumbers can also land “comma checks” (thousands of dollars for a short burst of intense work), but it often depends on timing and complexity of the job.
• Sustainable Income
Both trades can provide consistent, above-average earnings in normal, 40-hour workweeks. Specialized skills and willingness to travel or handle emergency tasks can push pay even higher.
Sponsored by The Trades Academy
This discussion is sponsored by The Trades Academy, a platform for aspiring and experienced pros who want to take their careers to the next level. Whether you’re aiming to get into a trade for the first time, fine-tune your expertise, launch a business, or use social media to grow an existing operation, The Trades Academy offers resources and guidance at every stage of your journey.
Final Word
Ultimately, welding and plumbing are both pivotal, and each has a compelling claim to the throne. Welders join metals that form the skeleton of modern infrastructure, while plumbers manage the lifeblood of sanitation and water supply. The real winner is anyone skilled enough to thrive in these in-demand, high-paying careers. And while the playful rivalry continues, communities everywhere rely on both crafts every single day.
