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The differences between pipe layers and carpenter helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 3-6 months to become a pipe layer, becoming a carpenter helper takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a pipe layer has an average salary of $37,742, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.
The top three skills for a pipe layer include hand tools, asphalt and water mains. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.
| Pipe Layer | Carpenter Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $37,742 | $34,192 |
| Hourly rate | $18.15 | $16.44 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 1,419 | 29,208 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 69% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 36 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
A pipe layer specializes in assembling and connecting pipes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically include conducting initial ground assessments and examinations, digging pipe trenches, sealing pipe joints, measuring routes, and locating existing systems using particular detectors. They may also remove malfunctioning or old pipe systems, conduct inspections, ensure alignment, and perform progress reports as needed. Moreover, a pipe layer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.
A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.
Pipe layers and carpenter helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Layer | Carpenter Helper | |
| Average salary | $37,742 | $34,192 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $25,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Missoula, MT | Northampton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | C Squared Systems | Black & Veatch |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a pipe layer and a carpenter helper in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Layer | Carpenter Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 69% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | General Studies | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe layers' and carpenter helpers' demographics:
| Pipe Layer | Carpenter Helper | |
| Average age | 36 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 28.3% Asian, 1.1% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |