Plumber & Pipefitter earn $63,800 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $50,190 and $85,110. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.
Also known as:
Plumber & Pipefitter earn $63,800 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,190 and $85,110. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The mean wage for this occupation is $72,170, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Plumber & Pipefitter roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +4.5% employment change for Plumber & Pipefitter through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 44,000 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Plumber & Pipefitter professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $63,800 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 45,460 | $68,390 | +7.2% |
| 2 | Texas | 42,290 | $58,560 | -8.2% |
| 3 | Florida | 26,730 | $50,540 | -20.8% |
| 4 | New York | 22,630 | $78,460 | +23.0% |
| 5 | Illinois | 18,730 | $96,200 | +50.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Plumber & Pipefitter positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plumbing | 2,745 | — | 209 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest Mississippi Community College Summit, MS | 85 | $2,525 | $33,227 |
| 2 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
| 3 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA | 83 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| 4 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY | 81 | $5,143 | $36,143 |
| 5 | Radford M Locklin Technical College Milton, FL | 80 | $987 | $35,997 |
| 6 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FL | 78 | $3,861 | $40,782 |
Once you've sized up Plumber & Pipefitter, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Plumber & Pipefitter pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
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The data on Plumber & Pipefitter shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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