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The differences between plumbers and handymen 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 and a handyman. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, which is higher than the $44,648 average annual salary of a handyman.
The top three skills for a plumber include plumbing, hand tools and plumbers. The most important skills for a handyman are plumbing, customer service, and drywall repair.
| Plumber | Handyman | |
| Yearly salary | $55,337 | $44,648 |
| Hourly rate | $26.60 | $21.47 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 12,307 | 3,371 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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 handyman can perform various repair and maintenance tasks involving electricity, carpentry, plumbing, and even appliance installation. Most handymen work independently, but they can also choose to be part of a company. Furthermore, a handyman must also discuss the extent of repairs to clients, even sharing insights on maintaining facilities in good condition. There are instances when a handyman may be required to work in a group setting, which requires an active line of communication and coordination.
Plumbers and handymen have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plumber | Handyman | |
| Average salary | $55,337 | $44,648 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $84,000 | Between $32,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Silver Spring, MD |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | The American Musical and Dramatic Academy |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Construction |
There are a few differences between a plumber and a handyman in terms of educational background:
| Plumber | Handyman | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between plumbers' and handymen' demographics:
| Plumber | Handyman | |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 4.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |