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The differences between pipe fitter helpers and sprinkler fitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sprinkler fitter has an average salary of $66,430, which is higher than the $38,643 average annual salary of a pipe fitter helper.
The top three skills for a pipe fitter helper include hand tools, safety procedures and stainless steel pipe. The most important skills for a sprinkler fitter are fire protection, hand tools, and ladders.
Pipe fitter helpers enjoy salaries of around $22 per hour. They must have skills in dexterity, stamina, physical strength, teamwork, and the ability to follow directions. Those who choose this career path assist plumbers and pipefitters in piping system assemblage and installation, clean their work areas and tools, and remove worn or damaged pipe, and cut new pipe lengths.
A sprinkler fitter is responsible for installing, inspecting, and repairing sprinkler systems. Your duties will typically include installing plumbing fixtures, fixing and replacing defective and outdated sprinklers, and soldering and welding pipes, tubes, and fittings designed for sprinklers. Additionally, you are expected to test sprinkler systems to ensure that they are well functioning as they wear and tear over time. As a sprinkler fitter, you may also be tasked to educate the public about the importance of having functional sprinklers as part of fire prevention measures.
Pipe fitter helpers and sprinkler fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Fitter Helper | Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Average salary | $38,643 | $66,430 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $48,000 | Between $43,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Zachry Group | Tesla |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Government |
There are a few differences between a pipe fitter helper and a sprinkler fitter in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Fitter Helper | Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | General Studies | Fire Science And Protection |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe fitter helpers' and sprinkler fitters' demographics:
| Pipe Fitter Helper | Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.3% Female, 11.7% | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.9% Asian, 1.8% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |