Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with the BLS, United Association (UA), or any plumbing union. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
Home/Pipefitter vs Plumber Salary

2026 Trade Comparison

Pipefitter vs Plumber Salary:
Industrial Pipefitters Earn $90k-$120k+

Updated 17 April 2026

Same BLS code. Very different paychecks. Industrial pipefitters working shutdown and turnaround work earn far above the median plumber wage.

Pipefitter Median

$72,000/yr

Plumber Median

$62,970/yr

Top 10% Pipefitter

$110,000+

Shutdown Rate

$90k-$120k/season

What Each Trade Does

Plumber

  • +Potable water supply systems (copper, PEX, CPVC)
  • +Drain-waste-vent (DWV) systems
  • +Natural gas lines to appliances
  • +Fixtures: toilets, sinks, showers, water heaters
  • +Residential and commercial buildings
  • +New construction and service/repair
  • +Pipe materials: copper, PVC, CPVC, PEX, cast iron
  • +Works to state plumbing code (UPC or IPC)

Pipefitter

  • +High-pressure steam, chemical, and petroleum lines
  • +Refinery process piping (crude oil, gas, by-products)
  • +Power plant boiler and steam systems
  • +Pharmaceutical and clean-room piping
  • +HVAC hydronic systems (large commercial)
  • +Pipe materials: carbon steel, stainless, alloy, weld fittings
  • +Welding is a core skill (often SMAW, GTAW)
  • +Works to ASME B31.3 and B31.1 process piping codes

Pay Comparison Table

Industrial pipefitters and steamfitters consistently out-earn general plumbers at equivalent experience levels.

CategoryIndustrial PipefitterGeneral PlumberSteamfitter
Median Annual$72,000$62,970$78,000
Journeyman Hourly$38 - $52/hr$35 - $48/hr$40 - $55/hr
Senior/Top 10%$100k - $110k$95k - $100k$95k - $105k
Union Package$60 - $85+/hr$55 - $80+/hr$65 - $90+/hr
Shutdown / T&A$90k - $120k+/seasonNot typical$75k - $100k+/season

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2152), UA Local wage scales, industry reports. Shutdown rates from community reports and industry data.

Shutdown and Turnaround Work: The Pipefitter Bonus

Shutdown and turnaround (T&A) work is the highest-earning opportunity in the pipefitting trade. Industrial facilities shut down for scheduled maintenance every 2 to 5 years, and they need large numbers of skilled pipefitters for an intensive burst of work.

How Shutdown Pay Stacks Up

Base hourly rate$45 - $55/hr
Schedule7 days/week, 10-12 hrs/day
Overtime premium1.5x over 8 hrs/day
Weekend premiumOften 1.5x-2x
Per diem (travel)$50 - $150/day (tax-free)
Typical duration2 to 8 weeks
Gross per turnaround$15,000 - $40,000
Annual (2-3 T&As)$90,000 - $120,000+

Pipefitters who build reputations in shutdown work often earn more than most master plumber employees. The tradeoff is travel (sometimes weeks away from home), physical intensity, and variability in work availability.

Steamfitters: The Third Trade

Steamfitters are a closely related specialty that focuses on high-pressure steam and heating systems. They work on boilers, steam lines, condensate systems, and heat exchangers, primarily in power generation, district heating, industrial plants, hospitals, and universities.

Steamfitters generally earn above the general plumber median, with journeyman rates of $40 to $55 per hour in major markets and masters earning $85,000 to $110,000. UA Local 638 in New York represents plumbers, steamfitters, and refrigeration workers. In some markets they are represented by the same Local as pipefitters; in others they are distinct.

Journeyman Rate

$40 - $55/hr

Master Annual

$78k - $110k

Union Penetration

~50% in major metros

Frequently Asked Questions

Do pipefitters make more than plumbers?
Industrial pipefitters earn significantly more than the plumber median. While BLS groups them in the same code ($62,970 median), industrial pipefitters working in refineries and power plants earn $75,000 to $110,000+, and shutdown work pushes annual earnings to $90,000 to $120,000+ for top workers.
What is the difference between a plumber and a pipefitter?
Plumbers work with potable water, drain-waste-vent, and gas in buildings. Pipefitters work with high-pressure steam, chemical, and petroleum lines in industrial facilities. Pipefitting often requires welding skills and work with carbon steel and alloy pipe.
What is shutdown and turnaround work for pipefitters?
Shutdown and T&A work is when industrial facilities close for scheduled maintenance. Hundreds of pipefitters are brought in for 2 to 8 weeks of intensive work, 7 days per week, 10 to 12 hours per day. Combined with per diem and overtime, a single T&A can generate $15,000 to $40,000. Working 2 to 3 per year yields $90,000 to $120,000+.
How do I become a pipefitter?
Through a UA pipefitter apprenticeship (5 years) or non-union contractor training. The UA pipefitter apprenticeship covers pipe systems design, welding, blueprint reading, and industrial code. Some plumbers transition to pipefitting through additional training.
What does a steamfitter do?
Steamfitters install and maintain high-pressure steam and heating systems: boilers, steam lines, condensate systems, and heat exchangers. They work in power generation, industrial plants, hospitals, and large institutional buildings. Journeyman rates are $40 to $55/hr.
Can a plumber become a pipefitter?
Yes. Licensed plumbers can transition to pipefitting through additional training. Core pipe skills overlap, but pipefitting requires competencies in high-pressure systems and welding. Many plumbers take UA pipefitter courses or work with industrial contractors to make the transition.
Commercial vs Residential PayIndustrial pipefitting is the extreme end of the commercial spectrum. See the full comparison.Journeyman Plumber SalaryJourneyman pipefitters and plumbers share the same career stage but diverging pay.Union vs Non-Union PayIndustrial pipefitting is heavily union. The UA package is how most T&A workers maximise income.Plumber Salary by StateIndustrial states (Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia) pay the highest pipefitter rates.