Plumber assistant vs master plumber

The differences between plumber assistants and master plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a plumber assistant and a master plumber. Additionally, a plumber assistant has an average salary of $54,639, which is higher than the $54,091 average annual salary of a master plumber.

The top three skills for a plumber assistant include plumbing, hot water heaters and sewer lines. The most important skills for a master plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and HVAC.

Plumber assistant vs master plumber overview

	Plumber Assistant	Master Plumber
Yearly salary	$54,639	$54,091
Hourly rate	$26.27	$26.01
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	12,671	19,962
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Plumber assistant vs master plumber salary

Plumber assistants and master plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Plumber Assistant	Master Plumber
Average salary	$54,639	$54,091
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $82,000	Between $36,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City	-	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	-	Oregon
Best paying company	-	HealthTrust
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between plumber assistant and master plumber education

There are a few differences between a plumber assistant and a master plumber in terms of educational background:

	Plumber Assistant	Master Plumber
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Business	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common college	-	-

Plumber assistant vs master plumber demographics

Here are the differences between plumber assistants' and master plumbers' demographics:

	Plumber Assistant	Master Plumber
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%	Male, 97.2% Female, 2.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 1.8% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between plumber assistant and master plumber duties and responsibilities

Plumber assistant example responsibilities.

Manage troubleshooting, pump repair, converters, brazing, and soldering.
Check pipes and plumbing fixtures using pressure gauges for leaks utilize plastic solvents caulk solder brazing and welding
Repair and install plumbing fixtures like hot water tanks, water heaters, dishwashers, garbage disposals, sinks etc.
Assist with various plumbing issues which include slab leaks, replacing water heaters, dishwashers, stoppages, and many more.
Used new PEX piping whenever possible.
Convert water lines from copper to PEX pipe for main supply lines to toilets, bathtubs and sinks.

Master plumber example responsibilities.

Install pvc, c900 and ductile iron sewers.
Install copper, pvc and cast iron water mains.
Install water heater and place toilets, faucets, and dishwashers.
Install and repair portable water lines, fixtures including faucets, basins, water closets and urinals.
Perform start-ups and repairs for residential-commercial HVAC systems.
License and authorize to install and to assume responsibility for contractual agreement and to secure any permits for plumbing installations.

Plumber assistant vs master plumber skills

Common plumber assistant skills

Plumbing, 19%
Hot Water Heaters, 10%
Sewer Lines, 10%
PVC, 8%
Caulking, 4%
Brazing, 3%

Common master plumber skills

Plumbing, 29%
Hand Tools, 7%
HVAC, 6%
Water Heaters, 5%
Plumbers, 4%
Hot Water, 4%