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The differences between auto mechanics and plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an auto mechanic, becoming a plumber takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, which is higher than the $41,683 average annual salary of an auto mechanic.
The top three skills for an auto mechanic include customer vehicles, customer service and diagnosis. The most important skills for a plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.
| Auto Mechanic | Plumber | |
| Yearly salary | $41,683 | $55,337 |
| Hourly rate | $20.04 | $26.60 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 95,553 | 12,307 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An auto mechanic's role is to repair and maintain automotive vehicles, ensuring that they function efficiently and safely. They are primarily responsible for discussing issues with clients, inspecting vehicles to identify the root of problems, performing test drives, and conducting corrective measures. Sometimes this is done in collaboration with other mechanics to ensure accuracy and speed. They can also replace oil, brakes, and even other fluids. Moreover, an auto mechanic must inform the extent of repairs to clients, letting them know which parts need replacement or fixes.
Plumbers specialize in assembling, detecting issues, maintaining, and repairing pipes and systems that can either involve water or gas distribution in a home or establishment, ensuring that they function efficiently. Additionally, Plumbers can also install various materials such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets, appliances, and more. Among the tasks may revolve around training other plumbers or coordinating with other workers involved on a project, clearing obstructions and handling waste disposal, informing clients about the costs and process of repairs, and building rapport with them.
Auto mechanics and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Auto Mechanic | Plumber | |
| Average salary | $41,683 | $55,337 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $59,000 | Between $36,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Oregon |
| Best paying company | City of Detroit | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between an auto mechanic and a plumber in terms of educational background:
| Auto Mechanic | Plumber | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between auto mechanics' and plumbers' demographics:
| Auto Mechanic | Plumber | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |