There are many different career paths that you can take, and two of the most popular ones are becoming a plumber or an electrician. Both careers have their pros and cons, so it may be difficult for you to decide which one is right for you. Here is the breakdown of their job differences and requirement you can refer to before making the decision.
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What Does a Plumber Do?
A plumber is responsible for the installation and maintenance of water, sewage, gas pipe networks. Plumbers are involved in all aspects of construction work on projects such as new buildings or renovations to older ones. This can be anything from reading blueprints and following state and local building codes, installing pipes under roads to repairing leaks, maintaining and repairing plumbing systems, inspecting and testing installed pipe systems and pipelines and etc.
The work is varied, and can be both physically demanding and mentally challenging. It’s also a responsible role, with plumbers having to ensure that their work meets safety and legal requirements.
The skills required vary depending on the role, but plumbers generally need good practical skills, an understanding of how water and gas systems work, and the ability to read and interpret technical drawings. They also need to be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
What Does an Electrician Do?
An Electrician is a person who specializes in reading blueprints or technical diagrams, identifying electrical problems using a variety of testing devices, as well as the installation of various types of equipment. They also inspect electrical components, repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools, and other responsibilities.
Sometimes an electrician may specialize according to their location. For example, someone working on installations at airports will be required to hold special qualifications and licences because aviation-related electricity needs additional safety precautions which are not needed with standard household/commercial applications.
A Plumber or an Electrician, Which Job is More Difficult?
Both of these jobs are very important in our society, but which one is harder? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each job.
Being a plumber can be very hard work. They often have to deal with dirty water and sewage, which can be very unpleasant. They also have to carry heavy pipes and tools around, which can be very tiring. However, plumbers often have good job security because there are always going to be homes and businesses that need plumbing services.
Electricians have their own set of difficulties. They often have to work in a very dangerous environment, as they deal with electricity and power lines. Electricians also may not always be able to schedule their own time because many businesses rely on them for certain things at specific times of the day, week or month.
In conclusion, it is hard to say whether being a plumber or an electrician is harder since both jobs come with unique challenges that make each job difficult in its own way. In my opinion though, I think being an electrician would be more difficult than being a plumber due to all of the dangers involved when dealing with electricity every day at work.
A Plumber or an Electrician, Which Job Earns More?
There is not much difference in the pay rate of electricians and plumbers average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $56,330 or $27.08 per hour, while an electrician could earn $56,900 per year or $27.36 per hour.
How to Become a Plumber or an Electrician?
Either become a licensed plumber or a licensed electrician, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent education, Most plumbers learn their trade through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship. And later have 2 to 5 years of experience and to pass an exam to get the license to work independently.
Final Thought
The plumbing and electrical industries are both in need of skilled tradesmen, but the requirements for each trade vary. It is important to understand these differences before deciding which career path you would like to pursue.
