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Compare A HVAC Technician ↔ B Pipelayer

Your route

2 moves · -$12,140 a year, Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels

Gates on this route

  • Move 1, to Plumber: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license.
  • Move 2, to Pipelayer: license depends on the work (Texas: yard water lines and building sewers for 1-2 family homes are plumbing (TSBPE Residential Utilities Installer registration). Utility mains and most private site mains are exempt (1301.053, 1301.059)).
  1. Move 1 Transfer move to the side

    HVAC Technician to Plumber +$2,080 Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels

    • O*NET lists Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.89.
    • Gates: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license.
  2. Move 2 Transfer move to the side

    Plumber to Pipelayer -$14,220 Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels

    • O*NET lists Pipelayers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.80.
    • Gates: license depends on the work (Texas: yard water lines and building sewers for 1-2 family homes are plumbing (TSBPE Residential Utilities Installer registration). Utility mains and most private site mains are exempt (1301.053, 1301.059)).

Side by side

All Pipelayers: Texas median $45,620, $12,140 less a year than all Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers ($57,760), every experience level.

More than 40 hours a week: Pipelayer 17%, HVAC Technician 17%.

Occupation-wide pay all experience levels, not this level's pay; Texas median, base pay, $0 to $300k

A
B
$57,760-$12,140$45,620

Gates on the route: Plumber: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license; Pipelayer: license depends on the work (Texas: yard water lines and building sewers for 1-2 family homes are plumbing (TSBPE Residential Utilities Installer registration). Utility mains and most private site mains are exempt (1301.053, 1301.059)).

Outlook 2024 to 2034 whole occupation

A +13.0% Texas, 3,350 openings a year

B +0.2% Texas, 480 openings a year

Over 40 h a week

A
B
17%+1 pts17%

Physical load our index from O*NET, 1 to 5; A B; largest differences first

3.2 / 5+0.03.1 / 5

  • High places-2.07High places: A 3.38, B 1.31
  • Hazardous conditions-1.25Hazardous conditions: A 3.39, B 2.14
  • Kneeling or crawling+1.14Kneeling or crawling: A 1.75, B 2.89
  • Walking or running+0.86Walking or running: A 2.45, B 3.31
  • Cramped space+0.74Cramped space: A 2.68, B 3.42

Degree

A Most people in this job do not hold a bachelor's degree (O*NET: 0% do).

B Most people in this job do not hold a bachelor's degree (O*NET: 0% do).

License

A Texas: TDLR A/C Technician registration ($20, age 16+) to work under a licensed A/C contractor; contractor license after 48 months. Federal EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerant.

B Texas: yard water lines and building sewers for 1-2 family homes are plumbing (TSBPE Residential Utilities Installer registration). Utility mains and most private site mains are exempt (1301.053, 1301.059).

Experience

A Most common related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years (O*NET: 39%).

B Most common related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years (O*NET: 19%).

Skills O*NET importance, 1 to 5

You likely have: 6

  • Operation and Control
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis

To build: 0

    Make this your goal

    Save HVAC Technician to Pipelayer as your goal. Each step then shows the hours you have logged toward it, your exam practice and your license, with the one thing to do next. Free with an account.

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    My route: HVAC Technician to Pipelayer, -$12,140/yr (Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels). Gate: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license; license depends on the work.
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    My route: HVAC Technician to Pipelayer, -$12,140/yr (Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels). Gate: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license; license depends on the work.
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    Not a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas or any U.S. state. Does not offer engineering services. Exam-prep education only.