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Sprinkler fitter vs plumber

The differences between sprinkler fitters and plumbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sprinkler fitter has an average salary of $66,430, which is higher than the $55,337 average annual salary of a plumber.

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

Sprinkler fitter vs plumber overview

Sprinkler FitterPlumber
Yearly salary$66,430$55,337
Hourly rate$31.94$26.60
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs13,20312,307
Job satisfaction-4.4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience-4

What does a sprinkler fitter do?

A sprinkler fitter is responsible for installing, inspecting, and repairing sprinkler systems. Your duties will typically include installing plumbing fixtures, fixing and replacing defective and outdated sprinklers, and soldering and welding pipes, tubes, and fittings designed for sprinklers. Additionally, you are expected to test sprinkler systems to ensure that they are well functioning as they wear and tear over time. As a sprinkler fitter, you may also be tasked to educate the public about the importance of having functional sprinklers as part of fire prevention measures.

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 vs plumber salary

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

Sprinkler FitterPlumber
Average salary$66,430$55,337
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $100,000Between $36,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonOregon
Best paying companyTeslaKern Community College District
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between sprinkler fitter and plumber education

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

Sprinkler FitterPlumber
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 50%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorFire Science And ProtectionBusiness
Most common college--

Sprinkler fitter vs plumber demographics

Here are the differences between sprinkler fitters' and plumbers' demographics:

Sprinkler FitterPlumber
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.6% 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 and plumber duties and responsibilities

Sprinkler fitter example responsibilities.

  • Maintain OSHA and company record of on-site safety training.
  • Supervise, and run gas lines
  • Wire up bell and pressure switches.
  • Install dryers, stoves furnace and water heaters.
  • Follow all regulations including OSHA, safety, PPE.
  • Repair and maintain fire sprinkler systems in OKC area.
  • 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 vs plumber skills

Common sprinkler fitter skills
  • Fire Protection, 24%
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Fire Sprinkler Systems, 4%
  • NFPA, 4%
Common plumber skills
  • Plumbing, 23%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Plumbers, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Cast Iron, 4%
  • Pipe Systems, 4%

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