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Sprinkler fitter apprentice vs plumber

The differences between sprinkler fitter 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 $38,872 average annual salary of a sprinkler fitter apprentice.

The top three skills for a sprinkler fitter apprentice include fire protection, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for a plumber are plumbing, hand tools, and plumbers.

Sprinkler fitter apprentice vs plumber overview

Sprinkler Fitter ApprenticePlumber
Yearly salary$38,872$55,337
Hourly rate$18.69$26.60
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs19,60312,307
Job satisfaction-4.4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience-4

What does a sprinkler fitter apprentice do?

A sprinkler fitter apprentice is responsible for assisting in the installation, repair, and maintenance of sprinkler systems. Day-to-day duties will typically include connecting piping systems to supply tanks, pumps, control equipment, and compressors, installing brackets, hangers, and clamps to support the sprinkler and piping system, and selecting, measuring, and threading pipes. Additionally, you will be responsible for installing alarms, valves, and other associated equipment. You will also be responsible for testing the piping system for leakage using liquid or air pressure equipment.

What does a plumber do?

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.

Sprinkler fitter apprentice vs plumber salary

Sprinkler fitter apprentices and plumbers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sprinkler Fitter ApprenticePlumber
Average salary$38,872$55,337
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $50,000Between $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 sprinkler fitter apprentice and plumber education

There are a few differences between a sprinkler fitter apprentice and a plumber in terms of educational background:

Sprinkler Fitter ApprenticePlumber
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common college--

Sprinkler fitter apprentice vs plumber demographics

Here are the differences between sprinkler fitter apprentices' and plumbers' demographics:

Sprinkler Fitter ApprenticePlumber
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.4% Female, 3.6%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 1.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between sprinkler fitter apprentice and plumber duties and responsibilities

Sprinkler fitter apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Adhere to strict safety standards and OSHA regulations.
  • Install PVC pipes with primer and cement glue.
  • Install units, run heating and cooling lines, and light duct work.
  • Volunteer for night school, practicing tig welding, stick welding, and mig welding.
  • Perform fire sprinkler service and installation tasks - HVAC installation, line set and outdoor unit installation
  • Install, inspect, upgrade, and repair fire sprinklers for structures such as buildings, homes, etc.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Sprinkler fitter apprentice vs plumber skills

Common sprinkler fitter apprentice skills
  • Fire Protection, 45%
  • Ladders, 30%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • OSHA, 4%
  • Fire Sprinkler Systems, 2%
  • Plumbing, 2%
Common plumber skills
  • Plumbing, 23%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Plumbers, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Cast Iron, 4%
  • Pipe Systems, 4%

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