In short
Pipefitter apprenticeships typically last about five years and combine paid work with classroom instruction in blueprint reading, pipe math, welding, rigging and codes. Many are run by United Association locals with contractors, and others by open shop contractors and associations. BLS groups pipefitters with plumbers and steamfitters, who earned a median $63,800 in May 2025. Applicants usually need a high school diploma and to pass an aptitude test.
| Middle pay | $63,800 a year, roughly $30.67 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then apprenticeship |
| People in the trade | About 510,600 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 6.8% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 42,000, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
What you learn
- Pipe layout and offsets (trade math)
- Welding and brazing
- Rigging and moving pipe
- Steam, hydronic and process systems
- Reading isometric drawings
How to apply
Watch for application windows from UA locals and open shop programs, and search Apprenticeship.gov.
Find pipefitter training
Tell us your ZIP and we will send programs and apprenticeship leads nearby.
Straight answers
How long is a pipefitter apprenticeship?
About five years in many programs.
Is pipefitting the same as plumbing?
They share a BLS category, but pipefitters focus on industrial and commercial process and steam piping.
Do pipefitters weld?
Many do. Welding is part of most pipefitter training.