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The differences between pipe fitters 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 $51,055 average annual salary of a pipe fitter.
The top three skills for a pipe fitter include carbon steel, hand tools and safety procedures. The most important skills for a sprinkler fitter are fire protection, hand tools, and ladders.
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 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 Your duties will typically include installing plumbing fixtures, fixing and replacing defective and outdated sprinklers, and soldering and welding pipes, tubes, and fittings designed for sprinklers.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 fitters and sprinkler fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Fitter | Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Average salary | $51,055 | $66,430 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $63,000 | Between $43,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Washington |
| Best paying company | Spangler Candy | Tesla |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Government |
There are a few differences between a pipe fitter and a sprinkler fitter in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Fitter | Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Fire Science And Protection |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe fitters' and sprinkler fitters' demographics:
| Pipe Fitter | Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% |
| 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, 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% |