Sheet metal apprentice vs plumber

The differences between sheet metal apprentices and plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plumber has an average salary of $55,337, which is higher than the $39,020 average annual salary of a sheet metal apprentice.

The top three skills for a sheet metal apprentice include HVAC, hand tools and product specifications. The most important skills for a plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.

Sheet metal apprentice vs plumber overview

	Sheet Metal Apprentice	Plumber
Yearly salary	$39,020	$55,337
Hourly rate	$18.76	$26.60
Growth rate	-1%	2%
Number of jobs	11,342	12,307
Job satisfaction	-	4.4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	45	42
Years of experience	-	4

Sheet metal apprentice vs plumber salary

Sheet metal apprentices and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sheet Metal Apprentice	Plumber
Average salary	$39,020	$55,337
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $52,000	Between $36,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Oregon
Best paying company	-	Kern Community College District
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between sheet metal apprentice and plumber education

There are a few differences between a sheet metal apprentice and a plumber in terms of educational background:

	Sheet Metal Apprentice	Plumber
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Sheet metal apprentice vs plumber demographics

Here are the differences between sheet metal apprentices' and plumbers' demographics:

	Sheet Metal Apprentice	Plumber
Average age	45	42
Gender ratio	Male, 93.4% Female, 6.6%	Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.6% White, 66.6% 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	4%	2%

Differences between sheet metal apprentice and plumber duties and responsibilities

Sheet metal apprentice example responsibilities.

Help hang duct work, make duct work, plumbing.
Certify by the USAF in MIG and TIG weld operations.
Use scribers, dividers, and squares to mark dimensions on materials
Measure parts with micrometers and calipers to verify dimensions.
Perform in visible, progressively responsible roles primarily involving the installation of commercial/ industrial HVAC equipment.
Work to restore aircraft to optimal performance capacity by ensuring that necessary devices are repaired and install according to FAA guidelines.

Plumber example responsibilities.

Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Replace old copper and cast iron plumbing, install PEX water lines, CPVC lines and PVC lines.
Learned how to read blueprints, use plumbing math and read sub/spec data.
Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using various techniques, including caulking, soldering, and brazing.
Install, repair and maintain plumbing systems and components including toilets, urinals, faucets, hose bibs drains, etc.
Dig trenches for new pipeline.

Sheet metal apprentice vs plumber skills

Common sheet metal apprentice skills

HVAC, 16%
Hand Tools, 15%
Product Specifications, 12%
Tape Measure, 9%
Ladders, 7%
Safety Procedures, 5%

Common plumber skills

Plumbing, 23%
Hand Tools, 7%
Plumbers, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Cast Iron, 4%
Pipe Systems, 4%