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Journeyman plumber vs plumbing contractor

The differences between journeyman plumbers and plumbing 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 plumber, becoming a plumbing contractor takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a plumbing contractor has an average salary of $72,166, which is higher than the $54,678 average annual salary of a journeyman plumber.

The top three skills for a journeyman plumber include plumbing, hand tools and work ethic. The most important skills for a plumbing contractor are plumbing, PVC, and water heaters.

Journeyman plumber vs plumbing contractor overview

Journeyman PlumberPlumbing Contractor
Yearly salary$54,678$72,166
Hourly rate$26.29$34.70
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs10,86912,570
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 29%
Average age4246
Years of experience4-

Journeyman plumber vs plumbing contractor salary

Journeyman plumbers and plumbing contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Journeyman PlumberPlumbing Contractor
Average salary$54,678$72,166
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $81,000Between $48,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CityPortland, OR-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyConstellation Energy Partners-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between journeyman plumber and plumbing contractor education

There are a few differences between a journeyman plumber and a plumbing contractor in terms of educational background:

Journeyman PlumberPlumbing Contractor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 29%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Journeyman plumber vs plumbing contractor demographics

Here are the differences between journeyman plumbers' and plumbing contractors' demographics:

Journeyman PlumberPlumbing Contractor
Average age4246
Gender ratioMale, 97.1% Female, 2.9%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 1.4% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between journeyman plumber and plumbing contractor duties and responsibilities

Journeyman plumber example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Operate equipment such as cutting torches, threading machines, grinder, soldering and brazing.
  • Install and join copper, PVC, black iron and cast iron pipe and fittings below grind and above grind.
  • Work on sanitary sewer, rain leaders, and condensate lines using cast iron, PVC, and copper pipe.
  • Replace plumbing fixtures, water heaters, gas and electric, filtration systems, dishwashers, and service piping to structures.
  • Perform complete plumbing installations from rough-in to finishing according to Minnesota codes.
  • Show more

Plumbing contractor example responsibilities.

  • Recruit, manage, train for sales & installation of Comcast services.
  • Repair circulating pumps, leaks, broken pipes, HVAC heat return and main water lines.
  • Work on trade-specific HVAC improvement-relate commercial projects.
  • Shadow experienced plumbers to assist with installation and removal of defective plumbing fixtures.
  • Consult and design commercial and residential roofing systems to adhere to the changing environmental conditions in California.
  • Perform building rough-in according to specifications.

Journeyman plumber vs plumbing contractor skills

Common journeyman plumber skills
  • Plumbing, 20%
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Drainage Systems, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Pipe Fittings, 4%
Common plumbing contractor skills
  • Plumbing, 39%
  • PVC, 15%
  • Water Heaters, 8%
  • PEX, 7%
  • General Contractors, 6%
  • HVAC, 4%

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