| There are a few "dirty jobs" in the United States | | | | The difference in plumbers and white collar workers |
| that some people consider to be undesirable or | | | | probably comes down to training. As a contrast, let's |
| somehow beneath them. These are the kinds of jobs | | | | compare plumbers with lawyers in San Jose, |
| that many people see as holding a low status level | | | | California. Lawyers are highly specialized and require |
| and are looked down upon by many white collar | | | | years and years of training. For this dedication and |
| workers. These jobs usually offer very hard work, | | | | training they are awarded salaries that can reach |
| very little pay, and almost no appreciation. That said, | | | | seven figures for a general attorney practice in San |
| these are the jobs that make all of our lives easier: | | | | Jose. Plumbers, on the other hand, also require |
| appliance repair men, factory workers, maintenance | | | | significant and specialized training but this can usually |
| men, and plumbers. | | | | be done in only a couple of years. Lawyers are |
| Plumbers, perhaps, are one of the least appreciated | | | | required to receive the vast majority of their training |
| groups as few people have the burning desire to | | | | in formal education avenues while plumbers continue |
| work with toilets and sewage systems as a | | | | to grow and learn while they are on the job. For this |
| profession. But plumbers obviously do more than that. | | | | "real world" training, a San Jose plumber is paid, on |
| They deal in all sorts of home repairs including piping, | | | | average, around $37,000. |
| heating and cooling, leaks, frozen pipes and, yes, | | | | Most people would be quick to point out the cost |
| sewage and septic issues. If you have ever called a | | | | and hard work that goes into becoming a lawyer and |
| plumber, you more than likely were dealing with an | | | | how that is directly correlated to the salaries that |
| urgent situation. This is another reason that plumbers | | | | they receive. But how many people use a lawyer on |
| are not usually given the credit that they probably | | | | a regular basis? Furthermore, how many people can |
| deserve. | | | | honestly say that they TRUST their lawyers? While |
| Many plumbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days | | | | most people keep their plumber's phone number on |
| a week and much of their work is done to repair | | | | file for years, few people show that dedication and |
| "emergencies." Not only do they often operate under | | | | commitment to a lawyer. |
| pretty high levels of stress, but they also seem to | | | | Plumbers are definitely undervalued, underpaid, and |
| get very little recognition for their services. Some | | | | for most people, underappreciated. Keep that in mind |
| people are under the impression that they are | | | | the next time your toilet is clogged or your pipes |
| overpaid for what they do, but in reality, based on | | | | freeze over, and remember to have a little more |
| the hours they work and the nature of the services | | | | patience. |
| they provide, plumbers are very undervalued. | | | | |