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The differences between residential electricians and plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a residential electrician, becoming a plumber takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a residential electrician has an average salary of $60,514, which is higher than the $55,337 average annual salary of a plumber.
The top three skills for a residential electrician include work ethic, hand tools and electrical equipment. The most important skills for a plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.
| Residential Electrician | Plumber | |
| Yearly salary | $60,514 | $55,337 |
| Hourly rate | $29.09 | $26.60 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 22,406 | 12,307 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Residential Electricians are skilled tradespersons responsible for inspecting, repairing, installing, and maintaining wiring and electrical systems in residential buildings. Their duties include interpreting blueprints and technical drawings, examining electrical components, diagnosing electrical systems and wiring problems as well as installing new wiring and electrical components. Besides that, they also ensure that electrical systems are installed to adhere to local and national directives. They must know about utilizing devices to detect electrical problems. Residential electricians assist in training workers in inspection, repairing, and installation work.
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.
Residential electricians and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Electrician | Plumber | |
| Average salary | $60,514 | $55,337 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $36,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Constellation Energy Partners | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a residential electrician and a plumber in terms of educational background:
| Residential Electrician | Plumber | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between residential electricians' and plumbers' demographics:
| Residential Electrician | Plumber | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 3% | 2% |