Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $63,800 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 42,000 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
Pay
The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $63,800 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 42,000 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 42,000 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.
Work Environment
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in factories, homes, businesses, and other places where there are pipes and related systems. Plumbers are often on call for emergencies, so evening and weekend work is common.
How to Become a Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter
Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $63,800 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 42,000 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in factories, homes, businesses, and other places where there are pipes and related systems. Plumbers are often on call for emergencies, so evening and weekend work is common.
How to Become a Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter
Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $63,800 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 42,000 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Apprenticeship & Training
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.