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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

General Information

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.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit75.40%
  2. Self-employed14.88%
  3. State and local government5.71%
  4. Private, not for profit2.38%
  5. Federal government1.38%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+2%
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Job Outlook

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Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 42,600 openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$60,090

Median Military Salary Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

$77,223

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$23,510
$98,370
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Post-secondary certificate 43%
  • High school 34%
  • Associate's degree 9%
  • Less than high school 7%
  • Some college 4%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
  • Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction
  • Design
  • Mechanical
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Physics

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.