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The differences between plumbers and carpenters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a plumber, becoming a carpenter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, which is higher than the $41,748 average annual salary of a carpenter.
The top three skills for a plumber include plumbing, hand tools and plumbers. The most important skills for a carpenter are hand tools, ladders, and install windows.
| Plumber | Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $55,337 | $41,748 |
| Hourly rate | $26.60 | $20.07 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 12,307 | 5,862 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | 4.86 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
A carpenter is a skilled worker responsible for different areas of construction. Carpenters perform fabrication from raw materials. They use tools to create a successful finished product on their client's request. Carpenters must be able to multi-task, resolve any possible complications, strictly follow safety standards, and ensure that the project adheres to protocols without compromising quality and accuracy of work. Since carpentry is physical labor, carpenters are expected to be physically fit to accomplish various maintenance and production tasks.
Plumbers and carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plumber | Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $55,337 | $41,748 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $84,000 | Between $31,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Construction |
There are a few differences between a plumber and a carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Plumber | Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between plumbers' and carpenters' demographics:
| Plumber | Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |