Pipe installer vs pipe welder

The differences between pipe installers and pipe welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pipe installer has an average salary of $50,468, which is higher than the $46,364 average annual salary of a pipe welder.

The top three skills for a pipe installer include HVAC, brazing and install pipe. The most important skills for a pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.

Pipe installer vs pipe welder overview

	Pipe Installer	Pipe Welder
Yearly salary	$50,468	$46,364
Hourly rate	$24.26	$22.29
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	15,883	7,738
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	-	4

Pipe installer vs pipe welder salary

Pipe installers and pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pipe Installer	Pipe Welder
Average salary	$50,468	$46,364
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $68,000	Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	North Kingstown, RI
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Forum Energy Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between pipe installer and pipe welder education

There are a few differences between a pipe installer and a pipe welder in terms of educational background:

	Pipe Installer	Pipe Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Pipe installer vs pipe welder demographics

Here are the differences between pipe installers' and pipe welders' demographics:

	Pipe Installer	Pipe Welder
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 23.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	2%	3%

Differences between pipe installer and pipe welder duties and responsibilities

Pipe installer example responsibilities.

Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
Work with pex plumbing, PVC drain pipe, and copper pipe.
Configure Cat6 cabling/wall jack terminations, testing voice/data line activity to confirm connections.
Work responsibilities includes installation services such as hot water heater installations, dishwasher, toilet and faucets.
Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.

Pipe welder example responsibilities.

Silver solder, TIG, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW weld mild steel stainless steel aluminum and copper nickel respectively.
Weld carbon and stainless steel pipe in position and roll out machines utilizing GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW processes.
Skil in all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, stick, aluminum and stainless steel.
Work with TIG and MIG welding systems, as well as forklifts and overhead cranes up to 30 tons.
Work safely under OSHA safety and PPE standards.
Used aluminum GMAW for structural supports and some larger fabrications.

Pipe installer vs pipe welder skills

Common pipe installer skills

HVAC, 27%
Brazing, 21%
Install Pipe, 18%
PVC, 6%
Water Lines, 4%
Copper Pipe, 4%

Common pipe welder skills

Carbon Steel, 16%
MIG, 10%
Hand Tools, 8%
TIG, 6%
SMAW, 6%
GTAW, 6%