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The differences between pipe fitters and carpenters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pipe fitter has an average salary of $51,055, which is higher than the $41,748 average annual salary of a carpenter.
The top three skills for a pipe fitter include carbon steel, hand tools and safety procedures. The most important skills for a carpenter are hand tools, ladders, and install windows.
A pipefitter specializes in pipe systems. They are mostly responsible for cutting, assembling, installing, and maintaining the pipes' condition within homes or establishments. There are also instances when a pipe fitter has to visit sites, investigate problems, and conduct tests and repairs when necessary. Most pipefitters work in a group setting and are required to communicate and coordinate with co-workers, all while adhering to a company's standards and safety policies.
A carpenter is a skilled worker responsible for different areas of construction. Carpenters perform fabrication from raw materials. They use tools to create a successful finished product on their client's request. Carpenters must be able to multi-task, resolve any possible complications, strictly follow safety standards, and ensure that the project adheres to protocols without compromising quality and accuracy of work. Since carpentry is physical labor, carpenters are expected to be physically fit to accomplish various maintenance and production tasks.
Pipe fitters and carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Fitter | Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $51,055 | $41,748 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $63,000 | Between $31,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Spangler Candy | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a pipe fitter and a carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Fitter | Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe fitters' and carpenters' demographics:
| Pipe Fitter | Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |