In short
A pipefitter installs and repairs the pipes that carry chemicals, gases, steam and water in factories, power plants and large buildings. Most people learn through a 4 to 5 year paid apprenticeship, and some programs ask you to have welding training first. BLS reports pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters together, and the middle is $63,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Fill out the form and we'll point you to schools near you. The clipboard starts on plumbing, the closest match on our list.
Quick facts
- Typical pay
- $63,800 a year, or $30.67 an hour, for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters together (BLS median, May 2025). BLS doesn't split pipefitters out, so your trade or employer may land above or below that.
- How you learn
- Apprenticeship, typically 4 to 5 years. About 2,000 paid hours on the job each year plus classes.
- To start
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- License
- Some states require pipefitters and steamfitters to be licensed. Some also require a special license for gas lines.
- Jobs and outlook
- BLS projects 4% growth for the group through 2034, about average, with about 44,000 openings a year.
What pipefitters actually do
BLS describes pipefitters and steamfitters, sometimes just called fitters, as the people who install and maintain pipes that carry chemicals, acids and gases, mostly in manufacturing, commercial and industrial settings. They put in and repair pipe systems in power plants and the heating and cooling systems in large office buildings. Steamfitters specialize in systems built for liquids or gases at high pressure. Some fitters specialize in gas lines or sprinkler systems.
The size of the job is the difference. A house takes one or two plumbers and copper, steel or plastic pipe. An industrial plant runs on big steel pipe, and BLS says that usually takes a crew of pipefitters. You read blueprints, follow codes, work out the materials, install the pipe, then test the system so it holds pressure and doesn't leak.
Expect burns from hot pipes, cuts from sharp tools and falls from ladders to be the common injuries. Outdoor work in all weather and tight spaces are part of the job.
Want a short list of schools near you?
Plumbing is the closest trade on the form, and the schools that call can tell you about pipefitting too.
How to get in
Apprenticeship
This is how most people become fitters. You work for a contractor, get paid, and go to class on safety, codes, blueprints, math, physics and chemistry. The United Association (UA), which runs apprenticeships for the pipe trades, says its programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, typically last five years, and cover tracks including pipefitting, steamfitting, sprinkler fitting, plumbing, HVACR and welding. Apprenticeship Finder lists openings across the country.
Vocational school, then apply
Vocational-technical schools teach pipe system design, safety and tool use, and welding. BLS says some pipefitter and steamfitter apprenticeship programs require welding courses, so a school program can be a way to get ready. Ask the apprenticeship you want what they'd like to see.
Helper job
Some people start as a helper and move into an apprenticeship. Ask contractors in your area how it works for them.
Where welding fits
Pipe and welding go together in a lot of industrial work. The American Welding Society says a 6G pipe test, which covers all positions on a fixed pipe, is one of the most respected welding tests. If you're curious, our guide to welding certifications explains what they cover and who tests you. If you'd rather make welding your main trade, start with the welder page.
Pay and cost
The BLS middle for the whole group is $63,800 a year. We're not going to promise that to a new apprentice. Apprentices are paid while they train, and the number is lower at the start. Industrial work can come with overtime and travel, and it depends on the job and who you work for.
The UA says its apprentices finish without student loans because they earn while they learn. Ask any program about book, tool and fee costs. A school-first route has tuition, so compare schools with College Navigator and get the total cost in writing. Paying for it, in order.
Median pay is for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters nationally, May 2025, from the BLS OEWS survey. BLS publishes state and metro numbers for the group. State and metro pay data from BLS.
Questions about pipefitting
What's the difference between a pipefitter and a steamfitter?
Steamfitters specialize in systems built for liquids or gases under high pressure. Pipefitters install and maintain pipes for chemicals, acids and gases in factories and buildings. BLS notes the two overlap and calls them fitters.
Do I need to know how to weld first?
Not always, but some apprenticeship programs require welding courses, according to BLS. Ask the program you want to join.
Is this the same as being a plumber?
They're close cousins. They learn through similar apprenticeships and BLS reports their pay together. Plumbers mostly work in homes and buildings. Fitters mostly work on industrial and commercial systems. Plumbing page here.
Do I need a license?
Some states require pipefitters and steamfitters to be licensed, and some require a special license for gas lines. Licensing usually involves an exam, work experience or both. Contact your state's licensing board.