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The differences between pipe layers and journeyman plumbers 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 journeyman plumber takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a journeyman plumber has an average salary of $54,678, which is higher than the $37,742 average annual salary of a pipe layer.
The top three skills for a pipe layer include hand tools, asphalt and water mains. The most important skills for a journeyman plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and work ethic.
| Pipe Layer | Journeyman Plumber | |
| Yearly salary | $37,742 | $54,678 |
| Hourly rate | $18.15 | $26.29 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 1,419 | 10,869 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 69% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 36 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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 journeyman plumber is responsible for conducting basic plumbing tasks, such as installing and repairing plumbing lines under the supervision of a head plumber. Journeyman plumbers connect pipes and ensure the stability of plumbing lines to avoid potential hazards and possible defects. They handle the maintenance and replacement of fixtures and identify the source of failure to adjust pressure and seal connections as needed. A journeyman plumber must be able to detect irregularities immediately and provide estimate costing to the customers for repairs.
Pipe layers and journeyman plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Layer | Journeyman Plumber | |
| Average salary | $37,742 | $54,678 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $36,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Missoula, MT | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Oregon |
| Best paying company | C Squared Systems | Constellation Energy Partners |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a pipe layer and a journeyman plumber in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Layer | Journeyman Plumber | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 69% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | General Studies | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe layers' and journeyman plumbers' demographics:
| Pipe Layer | Journeyman Plumber | |
| Average age | 36 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% | Male, 97.1% Female, 2.9% |
| 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, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |