Steamfitter / Pipefitter

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Pipefitters and steamfitters typically earn $32–$60 per hour, or $66,000–$124,000 annually. Union UA journeyman pipefitters on industrial projects earn $40–$70 per hour with full benefits. Pipefitters on turnaround projects at petrochemical plants and refineries earn significant overtime — annual incomes of $120,000–$180,000 are achievable for those who follow the industrial turnaround circuit. Pipe foremen and general foremen earn $70,000–$130,000 base. Industrial pipefitters with specialty certifications — pipe welding, steam systems, cryogenics — access the most premium project assignments.

Pipefitters and steamfitters typically earn $32–$60 per hour, or $66,000–$124,000 annually. Union UA journeyman pipefitters on industrial projects earn $40–$70 per hour with full benefits. Pipefitters on turnaround projects at petrochemical plants and refineries earn significant overtime — annual incomes of $120,000–$180,000 are achievable for those who follow the industrial turnaround circuit. Pipe foremen and general foremen earn $70,000–$130,000 base. Industrial pipefitters with specialty certifications — pipe welding, steam systems, cryogenics — access the most premium project assignments.

📈 Job Outlook

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters share overlapping skills but serve different systems: plumbers work on potable water, drainage, and gas; pipefitters work on high-pressure and industrial process piping; steamfitters specialize in steam and condensate systems. The BLS projects faster-than-average employment growth for all three driven by industrial construction, power generation infrastructure, chemical processing, and LNG facility development. Pipefitters who develop skills in precision pipe fit-up, pipe welding support, and P&ID reading access the highest-paying industrial projects. Union UA pipefitters working on major industrial projects earn among the highest hourly rates of any construction trade.

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters share overlapping skills but serve different systems: plumbers work on potable water, drainage, and gas; pipefitters work on high-pressure and industrial process piping; steamfitters specialize in steam and condensate systems. The BLS projects faster-than-average employment growth for all three driven by industrial construction, power generation infrastructure, chemical processing, and LNG facility development. Pipefitters who develop skills in precision pipe fit-up, pipe welding support, and P&ID reading access the highest-paying industrial projects. Union UA pipefitters working on major industrial projects earn among the highest hourly rates of any construction trade.

🎓 Training & Education

Pipefitter and steamfitter apprenticeships through UA joint apprenticeship programs typically run five years, combining classroom training in pipe systems, welding fundamentals, P&ID reading, and industrial safety alongside supervised on-the-job training at industrial facilities. Non-union industrial pipefitter training is offered by major industrial contractors. Journeyman pipefitter certification requires passing a trade examination. Welding qualifications — SMAW, GTAW — are highly valued for pipefitters who can tack-weld and perform minor welding support operations. OSHA 30 construction safety, rigging certification, and confined space training are standard industrial pipefitter requirements.

Pipefitter and steamfitter apprenticeships through UA joint apprenticeship programs typically run five years, combining classroom training in pipe systems, welding fundamentals, P&ID reading, and industrial safety alongside supervised on-the-job training at industrial facilities. Non-union industrial pipefitter training is offered by major industrial contractors. Journeyman pipefitter certification requires passing a trade examination. Welding qualifications — SMAW, GTAW — are highly valued for pipefitters who can tack-weld and perform minor welding support operations. OSHA 30 construction safety, rigging certification, and confined space training are standard industrial pipefitter requirements.

☀️ Day in the Life

A Pipefitter begins the week at a power plant scheduled outage — a large steam turbine is being rebuilt and the steam extraction piping to the feedwater heaters needs replacement. They review the isometric drawings to understand the spool configuration, then begin cutting and beveling the old carbon steel pipe sections with a plasma cutter. Using pipe stands and chain hoists, they position the new pre-fabricated spool pieces — precision fit-up is critical; the welder needs a root gap within 1/16 inch tolerance before tacking. They work alongside the pipe welder to tack-weld the spool into position. On a different project, they install an insulated glycol piping system for a chiller plant — threading galvanized pipe, cutting and installing compression fittings, and pressure-testing the system before insulation is applied. Their work requires reading and interpreting P&IDs (piping and instrumentation diagrams) that show every pipe size, fitting, valve, and instrument in the system.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

🗺️ Steamfitter / Pipefitter by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

🔗 Related Careers