Occupation salary profile

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

SOC 47-2152 BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

National median · BLS
$63,800
▲ +1.32% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$72,170
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
465,840
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$44,150
25th$50,190
Median (50th)$63,800
75th$85,110
90th — top pay$108,420

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

BLS projects employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 42,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
510,600 → 545,200
+34,500 jobs
Projected change
+6.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
42,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Apprenticeship
Self-employed
8% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking3.5
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.3
  • Repairing3.3
  • Troubleshooting3.3
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Complex Problem Solving3.0
  • Coordination3.0
  • Operation and Control3.0
  • Operations Monitoring3.0
  • Speaking3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Building and Construction4.3
  • Mechanical4.3
  • Design3.8
  • Mathematics3.8
  • Customer and Personal Service3.6
  • Administration and Management3.3
  • Engineering and Technology3.2
  • Public Safety and Security3.2
Software and technology used
Intuit QuickBooksMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordAEC Design Group CADPIPEAtlas Construction Business FormsAutodesk Building SystemsBentley Systems AutoPIPEBookkeeping softwareCOADE CAESAR IIDatabase softwareDrawing and drafting softwareElite Software DPIPEElite Software FIREElite Software HSYMElite Software Plumbing CADElite Software Spipe

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do

  • Shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches.
  • Install underground storm, sanitary, or water piping systems, extending piping as needed to connect fixtures and plumbing.
  • Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.
  • Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers or levels.
  • Cut, thread, or hammer pipes to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, or pipe benders.
  • Lay out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, or related equipment, according to blueprints.
  • Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair, according to specifications.
  • Review blueprints, building codes, or specifications to determine work details or procedures.
Also called
PipefitterPlumberSprinkler FitterSteamfitterDrain TechnicianFire Sprinkler Service TechnicianPipe WelderPlumbing InstallerResidential PlumberService Plumber
Specialties within this occupation
  • Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
More job titles for this occupation (80)
Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment MechanicAircraft Hydraulic MechanicAircraft Plumbing MechanicCommercial PlumberCorrosion Control FitterDiesel Engine PipefitterDrain CleanerDry Docks Utility Systems Repair OperatorEquipment Service Associate (ESA)Fire Control System InstallerFire Hydrant MechanicFire Sprinkler FitterFire Sprinkler InstallerFire Sprinkler TechnicianFitterGas Line InstallerGas Line RepairerGas Line ServicerGas Main FitterGas Meter InstallerGas Pipe LayerGas PlumberGasfitterGreen PipefitterGreen PlumberHeat ExchangerHeating MechanicHeating Unit InstallerHot Water Heater InstallerHydrant SetterHydraulic PlumberIndustrial GasfitterInstallerIrrigation System InstallerIrrigation TechnicianJourneyman PlumberLicensed PlumberLocomotive PipefitterMaintenance PlumberManhole Steamline InspectorMarine PipefitterMarine PlumberMarine SteamfitterMeter SetterPipe FitterPipefitter HelperPipefitter JourneymanPipeline Technician (Pipeline Tech)Piping DesignerPlumbing MechanicPlumbing Service Tech (Plumbing Service Technician)Plumbing TechnicianResidential Service PlumberShip and Boat CoppersmithShip and Boat Pipe FitterSoft Water MechanicSolar Boilers TechnicianSolar Energy TechnicianSolar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer)Solar Installation TechnicianSprinkler InstallerSprinkling System InstallerSteam Heating InstallerSteam PipefitterSteam Service InspectorSteam Trap ManSteam Trap WorkerSteamfitter Furnace InstallerTinnerUnderground Steamline InspectorValve RepairerWater Distribution OperatorWater Hydrant InstallerWater MechanicWater Meter InstallerWater Pipe InstallerWater Pump InstallerWater RegulatorWater Softener InstallerWater Softener Servicer

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.