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The differences between hvac technicians 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 hvac technician and a plumber. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, which is higher than the $54,496 average annual salary of a hvac technician.
The top three skills for a hvac technician include HVAC, customer service and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.
| Hvac Technician | Plumber | |
| Yearly salary | $54,496 | $55,337 |
| Hourly rate | $26.20 | $26.60 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 86,709 | 12,307 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An HVAC technician is qualified personnel who installs and repairs air-conditioning and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in both residential and commercial buildings. A technician's job may include repairing of pipe that is leaking, replacing a defective mechanical part, or adjust equipment setting for better performance. However, an HVAC technician must follow government regulations and local HVAC codes and should take the licensure examination. Some HVAC technicians are working for contractors, while others are self-employed.
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.
Hvac technicians and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hvac Technician | Plumber | |
| Average salary | $54,496 | $55,337 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $81,000 | Between $36,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Oregon |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a hvac technician and a plumber in terms of educational background:
| Hvac Technician | Plumber | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 29% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Business |
| Most common college | Dunwoody College of Technology | - |
Here are the differences between hvac technicians' and plumbers' demographics:
| Hvac Technician | Plumber | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |