Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Plumber Association President Dr Carmen Wong is urging young Malaysians to rethink their perception of plumbing, saying the profession is often unfairly dismissed as low-paying and lacking career prospects.
“Plumbing supervisors in Malaysia can earn between RM5,000 and RM6,000 a month within three to five years on the job,” she said at the Plumbing Asia 2026 Conference and Expo held at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, recently.
“Why do people not want to work in the plumbing industry? Because of the mindset. They view this as a dirty job. Nobody wants to do it. The salary is viewed as very low.”
Wong, the founding president of the Sabah Plumber Association who has more than 16 years of industry experience, said the sector’s persistent talent shortage is largely driven by outdated perceptions rather than reality.
She said entry-level workers at her company earn RM150 a day, while experienced supervisors command salaries comparable to many white-collar professionals.
To illustrate the value of skilled tradespeople, Wong shared a common scenario faced by plumbers.
“A customer rejects a RM1,000 quotation from a qualified plumber, finds someone willing to do the job for RM100, only to call back a week later when the problem has recurred and is now willing to pay the original price to have it properly resolved.
“Had the customer accepted the qualified plumber’s quotation from the outset, the problem would have been resolved in a single visit.
“Instead, opting for an RM100 alternative, likely offered by an unskilled and unqualified individual, left the job incomplete and resulted in repeated call-backs for the same issue that a licensed professional could have fixed once and for all.”
Wong said many young people mistakenly believe plumbing offers little room for career advancement and requires neither qualifications nor technical skills.
“Have you ever thought of how clean water enters your home and who is responsible for keeping it safe?
“Plumbing is a skilled profession that protects public health, hygiene and household safety. It deserves far greater respect than it currently receives.” She said changing public perception would require a coordinated effort involving schools, industry players and employers.
“Image comes first. A strong image attracts talent. When we balance pay, create growth and build the image, we must work with schools, let people know and provide a clear career path.”
Wong said the Sabah Plumber Association and the Master Plumbers Association Malaysia are working with Tunku Abdul Rahman College’s vocational arm to establish a dedicated plumbing course that will equip students with practical skills before they transition directly into industry employment.
She believes the future of the industry depends on changing how young Malaysians – and their parents – view the profession.
“Our parents always ask us to be accountants, engineers or doctors. They never ask us to be plumbers. Maybe today we will change the image,” she said.
