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Compare A HVAC Technician ↔ B Plumber

Your route

1 move · +$2,080 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.
  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.

Side by side

All Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Texas median $59,840, $2,080 more a year than all Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers ($57,760), every experience level.

Plumber: 27% work more than 40 hours a week, about 1.6 times the share for 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+$2,080$59,840

Gates on the route: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license.

Outlook 2024 to 2034 whole occupation

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

B +8.9% Texas, 4,220 openings a year

Over 40 h a week

A
B
17%+11 pts27%

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

3.2 / 5+0.53.7 / 5

  • Kneeling or crawling+1.46Kneeling or crawling: A 1.75, B 3.21
  • Walking or running+1.41Walking or running: A 2.45, B 3.86
  • Cramped space+1.12Cramped space: A 2.68, B 3.8
  • Standing+1.01Standing: A 3.68, B 4.69
  • Climbing ladders+0.88Climbing ladders: A 2.87, B 3.75

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: Journeyman Plumber license (TSBPE): 8,000 hours as a registered apprentice, a 48-hour course or DOL apprenticeship, and an exam. Tradesman Plumber-Limited (4,000 hours) covers 1-2 family homes.

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 4 years, up to and including 6 years (O*NET: 57%).

Skills O*NET importance, 1 to 5

You likely have: 6

  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Repairing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Monitoring
  • Complex Problem Solving

To build: 0

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    My route: HVAC Technician to Plumber, +$2,080/yr (Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels). Gate: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license.
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    My route: HVAC Technician to Plumber, +$2,080/yr (Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels). Gate: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE) license.
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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.