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Water softener installer vs plumber helper

The differences between water softener installers and plumber helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a water softener installer and a plumber helper. Additionally, a plumber helper has an average salary of $43,893, which is higher than the $38,293 average annual salary of a water softener installer.

The top three skills for a water softener installer include plumbing, customer service and . The most important skills for a plumber helper are hand tools, plumbing, and cast iron.

Water softener installer vs plumber helper overview

Water Softener InstallerPlumber Helper
Yearly salary$38,293$43,893
Hourly rate$18.41$21.10
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs19,15021,963
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 29%High School Diploma, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Water softener installer vs plumber helper salary

Water softener installers and plumber helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Water Softener InstallerPlumber Helper
Average salary$38,293$43,893
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $64,000Between $28,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-ENCON Heating
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between water softener installer and plumber helper education

There are a few differences between a water softener installer and a plumber helper in terms of educational background:

Water Softener InstallerPlumber Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 29%High School Diploma, 58%
Most common majorAviationBusiness
Most common college--

Water softener installer vs plumber helper demographics

Here are the differences between water softener installers' and plumber helpers' demographics:

Water Softener InstallerPlumber Helper
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 97.4% Female, 2.6%Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 1.9% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between water softener installer and plumber helper duties and responsibilities

Water softener installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Examine plumbing system to determine connections, pipes, and pipe fittings require.
  • Configure Cat6 cabling/wall jack terminations, testing voice/data line activity to confirm connections.
  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.

Plumber helper example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage less experience plumbers and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
  • Install lavatories, help install urinals and commodes, roof drains and hose-bibs.
  • Assist journeyman plumber with measuring, cutting, brazing and sweating copper and copper fittings.
  • Perform solder brazing, some rough work with acetylene torch and grinders and various cutting implements.
  • Used tools of the trade; pipe cutters, cutting torches, pipe threading and pipe bending machines
  • Operate equipment such as cutting torches, threading machines, grinders, beveling machines and round up clamps.
  • Show more

Water softener installer vs plumber helper skills

Common water softener installer skills
  • Plumbing, 57%
  • Customer Service, 43%
Common plumber helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 36%
  • Plumbing, 18%
  • Cast Iron, 18%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • PEX, 5%
  • Sewer Lines, 2%

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