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The differences between commercial plumbers and maintenance plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a commercial plumber and a maintenance plumber. Additionally, a commercial plumber has an average salary of $54,423, which is higher than the $53,733 average annual salary of a maintenance plumber.
The top three skills for a commercial plumber include plumbing, PVC and cast iron. The most important skills for a maintenance plumber are plumbing, general maintenance, and hand tools.
Commercial plumbers are specialized plumbers who work on housing or retail developments, commercial businesses, and properties. They repair, install, and maintain plumbing systems and services on a larger, more complex scale. They work on an infrastructure's water pressure, boiler systems, water supply, and waste following blueprint designs and understand the requirements for each project. Some jobs require them to have basic carpentry skills for when they need to access pipes inside walls or to brace pipes to keep them in place. They will also solder, weld, and attach fittings and fixtures when needed.
A maintenance plumber repairs individual water systems or large water facilities. This job position monitors, diagnoses, maintains, and repairs gas leaks, water shortages, sewage, and pipe systems. They must have knowledge of repair and skill in maintenance. He/She or she handles installation, prepares needed equipment and machinery, and ensures that they are always in place. A skillful mindset and extensive knowledge in the field is the key.
Commercial plumbers and maintenance plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commercial Plumber | Maintenance Plumber | |
| Average salary | $54,423 | $53,733 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $82,000 | Between $37,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Stanley Furniture | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a commercial plumber and a maintenance plumber in terms of educational background:
| Commercial Plumber | Maintenance Plumber | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between commercial plumbers' and maintenance plumbers' demographics:
| Commercial Plumber | Maintenance Plumber | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% | Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 1.9% White, 64.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |