HVAC and plumbing business owners and managers: How many women do you have out in the field making service calls? If your answer is “few to none,” you’re not alone. The skilled trades like HVAC and plumbing have long been a man’s world.

Depending on who you ask, (The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Zippia Research and others) women make up about 2.6% of HVAC pros and about 3.5% of plumbers. We’re talking about technicians, not office workers. People out in the field performing service calls, in other words.

But that’s beginning to change. More and more women are being drawn to HVAC, plumbing, and other skilled trade fields like construction, bringing a fresh face and a new skillset to the trades.

Here’s why it matters and why you should consider women for your next job openings.

In today’s economy, there are a lot of good reasons for women to be entering trade schools, securing apprenticeships and otherwise seeking out jobs in the trades.

Less (or no) debt
College tuition is on the rise and climbing further, and the traditional student loan system may be changing. Trade schools cost a fraction of a college degree, and apprenticeships in HVAC or plumbing provide people with paid on‑the‑job training and certifications. It’s an affordable pathway to a great career without racking up a crushing amount of student debt.

A solid salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports HVAC techs and plumbers make an average of $58,000 to $62,000, depending on location.  The good news for women? There is no gender pay gap. Women in the trades are making just as much as their male counterparts.

High demand
In every survey of HVAC and plumbing business owners you’ll find out there, the top concern is staffing. This is one segment of the American business landscape in which there are simply more jobs than there are skilled people to fill them. Simply put, if you go into HVAC or plumbing, you won’t have trouble finding a job. With other industries tightening their belts, curtailing hiring, laying off staff and more, the HVAC and plumbing job market is an attractive draw.

Why you should hire more women

Aside from their technical skills and knowledge, there are a couple of other reasons you should consider hiring more women.

Soft skills

In all workplaces, women are known for their strong “soft skills” — empathy, attentive listening, and clarity in explanations. This helps build trust with customers.

A trustworthy presence

Of course, your guys on the job are trustworthy. No doubt. But many clients, including single women who are homeowners, can feel a bit uneasy about letting a man into their home for a service call. The ability to have a woman do an in-home job can be a selling point for companies.

Attracting women to your company

Convinced you might benefit from more women on your payroll? Here are a few ways to attract them.

• Remove physical barriers like “must lift 100 lbs” — unless it’s truly essential.
• Emphasize benefits like flexible scheduling, work-life balance and team culture.
• Provide mentorship programs and ongoing training.
• Highlight opportunities for advancement (if your company provides them) into areas like project estimation, project management and leadership.
• Create a respectful environment with a zero-tolerance policy on harassment.
• Feature women technicians in your marketing and social media to let women know they have a place on your team.

Bottom line: More and more women are realizing the skilled trades like plumbing and HVAC are fantastic careers. They’ll bring a new skillset, new capabilities and a fresh face to your team.