If you’re considering taking up a trade, then it’s best to understand what these people do while on the job.
You may believe that a day in the life of an electrician or plumber may be simple, but there’s a lot of variation in what they do from day to day.
So, let’s take a closer look at what their days look like and what you can expect to do if you choose one of these as a profession.
A Day in the Life of an Electrician
The day in the life of an electrician varies greatly depending on where they work.
On the one hand, an electrician working for a company may be subjected to certain duties and have a set schedule.
On the other hand, self-employed electricians will have even more variance.
To get to know their daily routine, let’s take a deeper look.
Early Morning
Reportedly, electricians may start their day anywhere from 5-10 am.
However, their work starts before they step into the workplace.
Often, they review plans for the day by either reviewing a task list or contacting their team.
In addition, they will be gathering their things, such as what equipment they will need for the day.
Once they have a lay of the day’s schedule and what work needs to be done, they will then head to their workplace.
Depending on whether they work in a commercial setting, they may join their crew and discuss today’s project.
If they are working alone, then they will directly start working with clients.
Midday
Before starting on any project, electricians will need to run a handful of diagnostic tests.
This may include diagnosing any problems or checking for repairs.
Once that is done, they will then be able to fix the issue by replacing wires, conduits, and other items.
That said, if the project requires more complex work, they may need to find blueprints for the building.
If they need to coordinate with other workers, they will discuss what needs to be done to fix the problem.
This can include collaborating with construction workers, homeowners, etc.
Lastly, they will need to fix any issues and start manual work once everything is confirmed.
The project will begin and, depending on its length, be completed by the end of the day.
If not, then they will plan for the next day’s tasks.
End of Day
Once the day ends, electricians find themselves cleaning and organizing their tools.
They will perform maintenance on their tools and ensure that everything is working.
Also, they will need to complete paperwork for documentation purposes.
If working with a team or in a commercial setting, they will also debrief their team at the end of the day before clocking out.
A Day in the Life of a Plumber
Similarly to an electrician, a day in one’s life will vary depending on how they work.
If they are employed by a company, then they may have a standard nine-to-five job.
However, if they are self-employed or are a contractor, their schedule will vary.
Early Morning
At the start of their day, a plumber will generally plan their schedule for the day.
This will include tasks such as checking work orders, scheduling, and planning travel times.
From there, they will check to see what tasks they will be completing and gather the necessary equipment for the project.
It may also include calling team members and coordinating their day.
Those working as emergency plumbers will tend to be on call and wait until someone contacts them.
Lastly, they will focus on ensuring they have all the necessary information to complete any jobs.
Midday
During the day, a plumber will generally be going to any scheduled appointments or working on projects discussed prior.
However, those working in emergency plumbing will head to projects as the calls come in.
This may also include driving back and forth to get the necessary equipment.
The majority of midday will be contributed to driving to clients unless they are working at a set location.
These drives can range anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the location.
Planning the drive ahead of time is a must if you’re planning on being prompt to schedule appointments.
At the project site, a plumber will begin assessing the problem.
This includes doing maintenance or repairs.
Depending on the job, they may also need to drive to stores to get the necessary materials to fix the problem.
End of Day
At the end of the day, plumbers will assess and plan for the next day for projects that weren’t fully completed.
They will plan with homeowners and business owners to help ensure that the project will be completed by a certain deadline.
Filling out invoices, work orders, and reports will generally happen at this point.
For plumbers working with a team, they will check in and debrief about what happened that day.
They will coordinate and plan project schedules to ensure that they get done by a specified deadline.
Plumbers who offer emergency plumbing may end up working after hours to complete calls that come in, which can lead into the night.
That said, a plumber’s day is extremely variable depending on where they work.
Contractors tend to have a set schedule, while self-employed plumbers will have more downtime.
Either way, the job is still physically demanding and those looking to become a plumber should keep this in mind.
Electrician vs. Plumber: Similarities and Differences
Electricians and plumbers have very similar routines, especially during the early morning and end of the day.
They also both have to plan and drive between appointments, especially if they are a contractor or self-employed.
Aside from that, plumbers and electricians both need to have problem-solving skills, physical strength, and the ability to be highly coordinated throughout the day.
Where they differ mainly depends on their type of materials and job duties.
As an electrician, you’ll be working with electrical wiring and a plumber will be working with pipes and plumbing.
On average, electricians won’t be dealing with emergencies and will often be focused on maintenance and diagnostics, while plumbers will be working with flooding, sewage, burst pipes, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which job is generally more physically demanding?
Both jobs are extremely physically demanding, but you’ll have more control over what you tackle as a plumber.
Electricians may end up working on power lines, using scaffolders, and be put in situations where they may fall.
Plumbers, on the other hand, will deal with flooding, basements, and more.
So, while both are physically demanding, they vary in the type of physical demands.
Which job takes longer to become certified?
Both jobs take a similar amount of time, which typically ranges anywhere from four to five years.
However, the majority of training will be paid and experience gained while working on the job.
So, the length of training to become a professional plumber or electrician is the same.
What is the salary for Electricians and Plumbers?
The average salary of an electrician is estimated to be $61,590, while a plumber is estimated at $63,215.
Of course, this amount will change depending on the location, skill, and type of service offered.
Most of the higher-paying jobs are paid due to experience in the field.