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Commercial plumber vs plumber

The differences between commercial plumbers and 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 plumber. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, which is higher than the $54,423 average annual salary of a commercial plumber.

The top three skills for a commercial plumber include plumbing, PVC and cast iron. The most important skills for a plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.

Commercial plumber vs plumber overview

Commercial PlumberPlumber
Yearly salary$54,423$55,337
Hourly rate$26.16$26.60
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs34,99012,307
Job satisfaction-4.4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a commercial plumber do?

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.

What does a plumber do?

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.

Commercial plumber vs plumber salary

Commercial plumbers and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Commercial PlumberPlumber
Average salary$54,423$55,337
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $82,000Between $36,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityBaton Rouge, LASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateOregonOregon
Best paying companyStanley FurnitureKern Community College District
Best paying industryInsuranceFinance

Differences between commercial plumber and plumber education

There are a few differences between a commercial plumber and a plumber in terms of educational background:

Commercial PlumberPlumber
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Commercial plumber vs plumber demographics

Here are the differences between commercial plumbers' and plumbers' demographics:

Commercial PlumberPlumber
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 97.6% Female, 2.4%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between commercial plumber and plumber duties and responsibilities

Commercial plumber example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Pipe fitting, soldering, brazing
  • Install copper and PVC piping and setting fixtures.
  • Purchase materials, work with HVAC and carpenters.
  • Involve cutting, threading, fit pipes, valves, and caulking.
  • Set rooftop units for HVAC, run refrigeration as well as med gas lines
  • Show more

Plumber example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Replace old copper and cast iron plumbing, install PEX water lines, CPVC lines and PVC lines.
  • Learned how to read blueprints, use plumbing math and read sub/spec data.
  • Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using various techniques, including caulking, soldering, and brazing.
  • Install, repair and maintain plumbing systems and components including toilets, urinals, faucets, hose bibs drains, etc.
  • Dig trenches for new pipeline.
  • Show more

Commercial plumber vs plumber skills

Common commercial plumber skills
  • Plumbing, 27%
  • PVC, 22%
  • Cast Iron, 21%
  • Building Codes, 3%
  • Drainage Systems, 3%
  • Troubleshoot, 2%
Common plumber skills
  • Plumbing, 23%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Plumbers, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Cast Iron, 4%
  • Pipe Systems, 4%

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