Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Also called: Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment Mechanic, Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic, Aircraft Plumbing Mechanic, Commercial Plumber, Corrosion Control Fitter, Diesel Engine Pipefitter, Drain Cleaner, Drain Technician
Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.
What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do
Typical tasks
- 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.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary
The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $63,800 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $44,150 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $108,420. The mean annual wage is $72,170.
The mean hourly wage of $34.00 is 4.7× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $63,800 → in 3 years $70,700 → in 5 years $75,600 → in 10 years $89,700 (10-year range $77,100–$104,100). The model assumes pay growth of +3.5% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters United States | 配管工 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $63,800 | ¥5.23M ≈ $33,264 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $89,700 | ¥7.35M |
| Outlook score | 76 | 69 |
| AI replacement risk | 7% Very low | 11% Very low |
| Workers | 466K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.