Occupations · Construction and Extraction

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 47-2152.00

$62,970median annual wage, May 2024

455,940people employed, United States

▲ 4.5%projected change, 2024→2034

44,000openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 54% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$79,420	21,500
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$98,890	14,230
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$65,110	13,440
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$83,640	11,320
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$60,230	11,150
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$60,370	11,120
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	$62,680	9,990
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$64,030	8,780
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$72,580	7,570
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$71,700	7,090
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$87,160	6,540
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$81,480	5,590

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: High school diploma or equivalent · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Select pipe sizes, types, or related materials, such as supports, hangers, or hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
Direct helpers engaged in pipe cutting, preassembly, or installation of plumbing systems or components.
Inspect, examine, or test installed systems or pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking3.5

Monitoring3.1

Speaking3.0

Reading Comprehension2.9

Active Listening2.9

Writing2.8

Mathematics2.6

Active Learning2.6

Learning Strategies2.4

Science1.8

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Intuit QuickBooks●Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Word●AEC 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 SpipeElite Software Sprinkler CADEmail softwareEstimating softwareFastEST FastPipeFastEST softwareHeat loss calculation softwareHorizon Engineering Sigma Plumbing CalculatorInsight Direct ServiceCEOJob costing softwareKRS Enterprises Service First!

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles+2.3 above average

Exposed to High Places+2.2 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.9 above average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.9 above average

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection+1.8 above average

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions+1.8 above average

Spend Time Sitting−1.8 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)43%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)35%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)9%

Less than a High School Diploma8%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic7.0

Conventional3.7

Investigative2.2

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Troubleshooting3.2

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Repairing3.2

Coordination3.0

Time Management3.0

Complex Problem Solving3.0

Operation and Control3.0

Operations Monitoring3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Building and ConstructionMechanicalDesignMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and Management

Abilities it leans on

Problem SensitivityFinger DexterityNear VisionManual DexterityDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

TinnerFitterPlumberGasfitterPipefitterPipe WelderPipe FitterSteamfitterGas PlumberMeter SetterDrain CleanerGreen PlumberWater MechanicMarine Plumber

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 6 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 3

+Bentley Systems AutoPIPE+Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP+Quicken

No longer listed 8

−Contractor City Contractor Forms Pack−Intuit Quicken software−Spreadsheet software−Computer aided design CAD software−Word processing software−Internet browser software−Pipe 2D software−AutoPIPE software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

FitterTinnerPlumberGasfitterPipefitterGas FitterPipe FitterPipe WelderSteamfitterGas PlumberMeter SetterGreen Plumber

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
pipe welder	7212.3.3	close
plumber	7126.8	broader
sprinkler fitter	7126.12	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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