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The differences between pipe layers and 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 plumber takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, 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 plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.
| Pipe Layer | Plumber | |
| Yearly salary | $37,742 | $55,337 |
| Hourly rate | $18.15 | $26.60 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 1,419 | 12,307 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 69% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| 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.
Plumbers specialize in assembling, detecting issues, maintaining, and repairing pipes and systems that can either involve water or gas distribution in a home or establishment, ensuring that they function efficiently. Additionally, Plumbers can also install various materials such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets, appliances, and more. Among the tasks may revolve around training other plumbers or coordinating with other workers involved on a project, clearing obstructions and handling waste disposal, informing clients about the costs and process of repairs, and building rapport with them.
Pipe layers and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Layer | Plumber | |
| Average salary | $37,742 | $55,337 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $48,000 | Between $36,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Missoula, MT | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Oregon |
| Best paying company | C Squared Systems | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Finance |
There are a few differences between a pipe layer and a plumber in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Layer | Plumber | |
| 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 plumbers' demographics:
| Pipe Layer | Plumber | |
| Average age | 36 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |