47
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is a notable career in the 47 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 47-2152 |
| title | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters |
| onet code | 47-2152.00 |
| description | 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. |
| job zone | 3 |
| major group | 47 |
| tot emp | 455,940 |
| a mean | 69,940 |
| a median | 62,970 |
| a pct10 | 40,670 |
| a pct25 | 48,860 |
| a pct75 | 81,900 |
| a pct90 | 105,150 |
| h mean | 33 |
| h median | 30 |
The day-to-day work of a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters typically centers on shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Critical Thinking, Troubleshooting, and Repairing. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.14 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, the most common entry qualification is a Post (43.3%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 0% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in Illinois at $96,200 and lowest in West Virginia at $49,630 — a 1.9× spread. The top five states (Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Alaska) average $87,788. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $96,200 | $89,180 | $47,880 | $123,290 | 18,730 |
| Oregon | $93,110 | $92,480 | $53,930 | $131,420 | 6,080 |
| Minnesota | $83,280 | $83,470 | $48,870 | $121,380 | 8,520 |
| Massachusetts | $83,260 | $87,390 | $47,830 | $140,500 | 15,670 |
| Alaska | $83,090 | $84,160 | $61,610 | $105,800 | 870 |
| District of Columbia | $81,950 | $83,840 | $48,730 | $107,270 | 640 |
| Washington | $79,070 | $87,360 | $47,570 | $139,280 | 12,210 |
| Hawaii | $78,540 | $85,320 | $46,900 | $115,160 | 2,640 |
| Wisconsin | $78,510 | $83,020 | $48,960 | $114,460 | 9,120 |
| New York | $78,460 | $84,510 | $46,040 | $128,540 | 22,630 |
| Montana | $77,930 | $73,120 | $46,400 | $93,960 | 1,810 |
| New Jersey | $77,160 | $89,320 | $50,430 | $133,260 | 9,840 |
| Michigan | $77,030 | $72,830 | $41,710 | $100,620 | 12,830 |
| Connecticut | $73,080 | $69,500 | $44,570 | $98,720 | 4,180 |
| California | $68,390 | $78,350 | $45,480 | $126,790 | 45,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,650 | $73,950 | $45,070 | $108,770 | 13,990 |
| Louisiana | $64,720 | $62,520 | $38,190 | $77,610 | 9,040 |
| Rhode Island | $64,630 | $72,760 | $47,880 | $106,530 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $64,560 | $69,500 | $44,390 | $97,900 | 11,620 |
| Delaware | $64,300 | $65,220 | $40,630 | $86,900 | 1,570 |
| Colorado | $63,610 | $67,020 | $46,370 | $98,680 | 9,970 |
| Maryland | $63,270 | $69,980 | $42,730 | $105,610 | 11,490 |
| Nebraska | $62,880 | $68,660 | $45,540 | $93,350 | 4,240 |
| Kansas | $62,820 | $68,710 | $39,260 | $104,300 | 4,090 |
| North Dakota | $62,670 | $65,760 | $44,940 | $89,630 | 1,650 |
| Ohio | $62,530 | $66,940 | $40,720 | $96,310 | 14,490 |
| Kentucky | $62,370 | $66,500 | $39,210 | $92,970 | 5,500 |
| Missouri | $62,090 | $70,380 | $43,140 | $107,400 | 7,900 |
| New Hampshire | $62,030 | $64,080 | $40,330 | $85,480 | 2,530 |
| Arizona | $61,940 | $67,010 | $44,340 | $98,310 | 12,330 |
| Maine | $61,890 | $65,740 | $47,810 | $80,380 | 2,480 |
| Utah | $61,680 | $62,600 | $39,770 | $81,460 | 6,770 |
| Wyoming | $61,480 | $62,070 | $44,750 | $81,220 | 1,140 |
| Iowa | $61,230 | $64,860 | $41,840 | $92,690 | 6,350 |
| Vermont | $60,550 | $63,230 | $46,220 | $91,990 | 960 |
| Nevada | $60,120 | $67,380 | $40,870 | $108,690 | 5,330 |
| New Mexico | $59,660 | $61,090 | $38,100 | $84,090 | 2,900 |
| Virginia | $59,560 | $58,820 | $41,050 | $76,650 | 13,190 |
| Texas | $58,560 | $59,500 | $37,320 | $81,510 | 42,290 |
| Mississippi | $57,960 | $57,490 | $36,710 | $77,270 | 3,050 |
| Tennessee | $57,730 | $59,430 | $38,080 | $81,570 | 8,810 |
| Idaho | $57,380 | $59,110 | $39,340 | $79,550 | 3,710 |
| Georgia | $56,290 | $59,470 | $36,990 | $83,070 | 7,530 |
| Oklahoma | $54,840 | $56,890 | $37,190 | $79,880 | 7,110 |
| South Carolina | $54,840 | $55,390 | $35,460 | $77,660 | 5,480 |
| Alabama | $53,840 | $54,720 | $34,990 | $74,480 | 7,880 |
| North Carolina | $50,990 | $54,120 | $37,690 | $72,650 | 14,300 |
| South Dakota | $50,790 | $55,090 | $39,080 | $75,290 | 1,800 |
| Florida | $50,540 | $53,630 | $37,400 | $67,500 | 26,730 |
| Arkansas | $49,700 | $51,630 | $33,200 | $69,940 | 3,080 |
| West Virginia | $49,630 | $55,730 | $35,260 | $81,360 | 1,860 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment Mechanic or Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters compares to others in the 47 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.