Comparing an electrician with a plumber may seem akin to equating an apple to an orange. From the outset, they simply are not alike. But to those who are privy in both trades know that these two diverse professions also share certain similarities, despite the obvious difference in the nature of their work.
Yet, what is it that makes an electrician significantly distinct from a plumber or vice versa?
Electrician vs Plumber
We take a look at the 11 differences that segregate an electrician from a plumber, even if they work in the same site:
1. They work on two different aspects of construction
An electrician’s work involves installing and maintaining wires, control, lighting system, and all manners that revolve around ensuring that safe electrical flow goes through the system. Essentially, anything that involves electricity is an electrician’s job, hence the name.
On the other hand, a plumber’s work includes setting pipes, drainage systems, in addition to other plumbing stuff. Basically, a plumber’s job is to set a building’s piping and fixture structures that are responsible for the cooling, heating, water distribution, and sanitation of the place.
2. They adhere to two different codes
For two different professions to work on two diverse projects, an electrician adheres to the so-called National Electric Code while a plumber follows the Plumbing Code. Both of these codes set a guideline which the proponents of each trade follow, albeit uniquely.
3. One job is less physically-demanding than another
Both the electrician and plumber role share commonality for including physical work as part of the job. But of these two, a plumber bears heavier responsibility by being more physically demanding, given the nature of the materials employed in the workplace.
4. One job can be messier than the other
It is no surprise than part of a plumber’s common depiction is that of a person whose work area may, at times, be the comfort room, which is actually true. If anything, this implies that a plumber’s role may sometimes involve something nasty in it, involving feces, particularly during a maintenance routine—which is, again, also true.
Electricians, on their part, may never encounter it as part of their job.
5. The pay is nuanced by the region
Both electricians and plumbers are essential component of the workforce for their own unique capabilities and are therefore valued with their salary. In the United States, the pay scale for an electrician is slightly higher than a plumber. But in Australia, the opposite is true, at a considerable margin. Typically, this level of disparity is dictated by the prevailing pay rate of the land.
6. One job is more repetitive than the other
The nature of both an electrician and a plumber’s job may become redundant over time inevitably. But between an electrician and a plumber’s work, it is the latter which is more prone to doing the same thing. This is to say that there is more variety in an electrician’s role than there is about being a plumber.
7. One job requires more dexterity than another
The physical aspect of both professions may not seem any different from the outset. But in reality, connecting electrical wires—or basically any electrician job—is actually more demanding in terms of skill and agility. It means that an experienced electrician is substantially more dexterous than his plumber counterpart.
8. One job demands knowledge of latest technology
To be fair, the job of both an electrician and a plumber continuously evolve, adapting to newer trends that are in fashion in any given time. However, no other job asks for an inclination to up-to-date technology than the work of an electrician. For electricians in general, this may suggest many things, such as knowing how to provide power to large machines, how to install security measures, how to integrate smart features, etc.
Of course, not all electricians may necessarily follow up to this demand. But to those who do, it would be considered a merit and would imply a number of benefits such as high employability and bigger salary.
9. One job is riskier than the other
Being a plumber might be a physically-taxing job. But the job alone hardly kills—although certain accidents happen.
Yet, a plumber’s role is significantly less risky compared to an electrician.
Although low voltages might only put a sting and shock to a sloppy electrician, higher voltages are obviously the bigger threat. This is not to mention of the other hazards which come from the working area itself which an electrician might share with a plumber if set in similar setting, such as the dangers of height and being around heavy materials.
10. One trade offers a lot more diversity than the other
Not all electricians are the same. While they may have the title of an “electrician” to their labels, electricians in general are separated by the branches which they individually pursue.
For instance, a commercial electrician does not hold the same scope of work as the industrial electrician or any other branch of the trade. Although there are fundamental similarities, there are also some differences.
For some people, to be an electrician is an exciting prospect given the diversity it offers, also compounded by the fact that certain branches are learned on the job or with just a bit of pre-training. This idea provides a leeway for switching branches as necessary.
Comparatively, there is not a similar branching choice if you are a plumber.
11. Licensure is optional in one trade than the other, depending on the region
In the United States in general, there is no way you could become a practitioner electrician if you are not licensed . This means that upon completion of your apprenticeship , it is mandatory that you also pass the exam for the licensing. Lest, you will not land a job befitting the role.
However, this is not the case if you are a plumber in certain states in the United States. In some states, to have a license as a plumber is optional. Yet, one cannot deny the benefits that will come with being licensed in the trade.