MEDFORD, Ore. — The plumbing and drain service industry takes workers with little knowledge or experience and allows them to work up through the ranks with training opportunities.

“The guys that are with me, on average, are here about 10 years,” said Tammy Summers. She owns Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service in Medford.

Summers says that the main reason employees stick around is because of job stability in the industry.

“There’s always going to be a need, even when the economy is down, people still have sewer lines that back up," Summer said. "They may let the sink drain stay plugged a little bit longer, but everybody needs a toilet.”

Roto-Rooter employees know that their work will always be in demand — that's why employees like Zach Wilson, a drain technician, plans to stay in the industry.

“You’re helping actual people so it’s rewarding in that aspect,” said Wilson. “It feels like my work has a bit of meaning to it, not just going through the motions. Most of the time I have to self-diagnosis it, so it’s a lot of using your brain and figuring out what the problem is.”

Wilson says he continues to learn new things every day, like plumbing.

Wilson started this job about six years ago, but he wishes that he would have known about the industry right out of high school. Now, Wilson says he wants to encourage others to give the plumbing and drain service industry a try.

“Once they start working here and working with us and go to do jobs, you get the satisfaction and pride of knowing that you helped someone that day,” said Summers.