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Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn a median $63,800 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations

U.S. median
$63,800
$30.67 per hour
Range
$44,150 – $108,420
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
465,840
across the U.S.
▲1.3%
Pay trend: The median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in the U.S. rose from $62,970 (May 2024) to $63,800 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.1%.

What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters do

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.

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
Apprenticeship
Job outlook, 2025–35
+6.8% (faster than average)
Openings per year
42,000
Self-employed
8%

Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 42,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$53,443
per year · effective tax rate 16.2%
$4,454Monthly
$2,227Twice a month
$2,056Every 2 weeks
$25.69Hourly
  • Federal income tax$5,476
  • Social Security (6.2%)$3,956
  • Medicare (1.45%)$925
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$53,443

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$44,150$21.23$37,655
25th percentile$50,190$24.13$42,508
Median (50th)$63,800$30.67$53,443
75th percentile$85,110$40.92$68,705
90th percentile (top earners)$108,420$52.13$85,103

Best cities for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (after tax & cost of living)

#Metro areaMedianTake-homeReal value*Jobs
1Chicago, IL$103,380$76,585$73,92812,750
2Minneapolis, MN$101,630$74,939$71,4926,730
3San Jose, CA$107,560$77,327$70,0283,830
4Seattle, WA$95,230$75,824$68,2286,350
5Portland, OR$101,010$71,882$68,1854,600
6Milwaukee, WI$84,700$65,308$67,3712,760
7Boston, MA$96,760$72,283$66,7649,200
8Detroit, MI$86,370$66,171$65,9755,520
9Baton Rouge, LA$74,240$59,217$65,2312,790
10Kansas City, MO$76,150$59,760$64,5753,740
11Indianapolis, IN$76,980$60,744$63,4764,010
12St. Louis, MO$77,000$60,318$63,4344,060
13Louisville, KY$74,680$58,871$63,2522,780
14Providence, RI$79,820$62,607$61,5163,000
15Pittsburgh, PA$70,100$55,993$59,1452,910
16Philadelphia, PA$74,860$59,196$57,7227,150
17Cincinnati, OH$65,160$53,527$56,1253,640
18Omaha, NE$63,400$51,117$55,6152,430
19Cleveland, OH$63,020$51,866$55,2223,040
20Columbus, OH$63,260$52,052$54,5233,060
21New York, NY$78,610$60,484$53,73421,040
22Austin, TX$62,810$52,648$53,6865,260
23Oklahoma City, OK$59,150$47,591$52,6402,400
24Nashville, TN$60,100$50,470$52,3892,760
25Houston, TX$61,300$51,435$52,15010,980

*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).

Highest-paying cities

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
District of Columbia $101,020+23.3%$74,279 $52,310 – $117,1801,010
Illinois $99,950+3.9%$74,342 $50,250 – $126,43016,750
Oregon $97,050+4.2%$69,442 $58,230 – $147,1005,370
Minnesota $94,410+13.4%$70,351 $48,720 – $121,05010,720
Alaska $93,920+13.0%$74,903 $53,730 – $122,6601,200
Massachusetts $93,880+12.8%$70,401 $52,010 – $135,08013,460
Wisconsin $81,210+3.4%$63,038 $50,020 – $120,07010,210
Washington $81,030+2.5%$65,835 $49,490 – $141,86012,470
Michigan $80,190+4.1%$62,086 $46,560 – $103,43014,120
Montana $79,960+2.6%$61,925 $48,250 – $100,8601,860
New Jersey $78,240+1.4%$61,078 $48,720 – $136,7108,750
Hawaii $78,060−0.6%$59,343 $47,750 – $113,3002,500
New York $77,490−1.2%$59,757 $46,130 – $130,42023,210
Connecticut $77,280+5.7%$60,521 $45,670 – $102,9905,410
Rhode Island $76,470+18.3%$60,376 $49,680 – $110,3601,820
Indiana $76,320+18.2%$60,299 $46,890 – $102,52011,280
California $72,830+6.5%$56,505 $47,350 – $131,10047,660
Pennsylvania $68,080+2.1%$54,634 $46,770 – $134,11013,620
New Hampshire $66,810+7.7%$55,831 $44,850 – $87,7301,950
Missouri $66,790+7.6%$53,615 $44,780 – $117,1808,310
Maryland $65,400+3.4%$51,986 $45,630 – $108,42011,420
Kansas $65,220+3.8%$51,745 $39,130 – $109,2904,590
Delaware $64,720+0.7%$51,252 $40,990 – $95,5201,590
Kentucky $64,160+2.9%$51,605 $44,860 – $94,7106,360
Maine $64,000+3.4%$50,466 $48,120 – $80,7602,710
Iowa $63,890+4.3%$51,740 $45,510 – $97,5005,730
Louisiana $63,680−1.6%$51,823 $38,120 – $79,5408,360
North Dakota $63,560+1.4%$53,250 $45,520 – $83,5601,620
Ohio $63,330+1.3%$52,106 $45,470 – $101,41016,390
Colorado $63,240−0.6%$50,919 $47,770 – $100,24010,080
Wyoming $62,410+1.5%$52,326 $43,770 – $80,0301,140
Vermont $62,170+2.7%$50,485 $48,800 – $91,940980
Arizona $62,070+0.2%$50,710 $45,640 – $100,12011,810
Utah $61,900+0.4%$50,097 $43,860 – $83,1207,030
Nevada $61,610+2.5%$51,684 $42,210 – $118,4305,370
New Mexico $61,440+3.0%$49,825 $36,160 – $87,7002,830
Nebraska $60,970−3.0%$49,275 $42,830 – $98,0304,110
Virginia $60,470+1.5%$48,105 $43,970 – $78,05013,780
Texas $59,840+2.2%$50,261 $38,270 – $81,89044,090
Alabama $58,670+9.0%$46,653 $37,720 – $76,6906,950
Tennessee $58,600+1.5%$49,265 $38,520 – $82,0209,270
Oklahoma $57,970+5.7%$46,696 $37,990 – $82,5606,050
Georgia $57,200+1.6%$45,794 $37,680 – $80,7408,930
North Carolina $57,080+11.9%$46,275 $38,860 – $75,85014,510
West Virginia $56,980+14.8%$46,133 $36,010 – $83,1601,830
Mississippi $55,480−4.3%$45,271 $35,830 – $75,4703,360
South Carolina $53,940−1.6%$43,441 $37,660 – $75,7805,770
Florida $52,910+4.7%$44,693 $38,940 – $73,61029,260
Idaho $52,380−8.7%$42,599 $39,430 – $82,6203,090
South Dakota $51,620+1.6%$43,657 $39,230 – $74,4801,760
Arkansas $48,660−2.1%$39,593 $33,410 – $68,8703,370

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Pipelayer$49,000No formal educational credential-3.1%
Electrician$63,190High school diploma or equivalent+9.2%
Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780High school diploma or equivalent+3.1%
Brickmason and Blockmason$62,120High school diploma or equivalent+1.1%
Sheet Metal Worker$61,800High school diploma or equivalent+2.5%
Carpenter$60,580High school diploma or equivalent+3.9%
Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850High school diploma or equivalent+4.6%
Taper$68,270No formal educational credential-1.6%
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker$58,970High school diploma or equivalent-5.3%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$58,930No formal educational credential+2.5%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make?

The national median salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $63,800 a year ($30.67 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,150 and the top 10% earn over $108,420. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters the most?

District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $101,020. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.

How many plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are there in the U.S.?

About 465,840 people work as plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters nationwide.

All 46 cities