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The differences between journeymen and general contractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a journeyman, becoming a general contractor takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a general contractor has an average salary of $66,602, which is higher than the $57,682 average annual salary of a journeyman.
The top three skills for a journeyman include hand tools, work ethic and HVAC. The most important skills for a general contractor are plumbing, safety regulations, and contract negotiations.
| Journeyman | General Contractor | |
| Yearly salary | $57,682 | $66,602 |
| Hourly rate | $27.73 | $32.02 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 13,953 | 66,218 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 42 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.
The job of general contractors is to oversee the day-to-day operations of projects in the organization. General contractors are considered seasoned experts when it comes to home improvement. They provide the material, equipment, labor, and services for a construction project. Often, they hire specialized subcontractors who will be working on some part of the construction work. They should have attained a bachelor's or associate's degree in construction management. Their experience in the industry is highly coveted.
Journeymen and general contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman | General Contractor | |
| Average salary | $57,682 | $66,602 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $83,000 | Between $41,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | CVR Energy | - |
| Best paying industry | Construction | - |
There are a few differences between a journeyman and a general contractor in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman | General Contractor | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between journeymen' and general contractors' demographics:
| Journeyman | General Contractor | |
| Average age | 42 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |