Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair the piping systems that carry water, gas, steam, and waste. Residential plumbers work on homes; pipefitters and steamfitters handle industrial and commercial systems with higher pressures and tighter tolerances.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Plumber & Pipefitters across all experience levels, nationwide.
Plumber & Pipefitter Wages by State
Median annual wage for Plumber & Pipefitters by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $96,200 | 18,730 |
| Oregon | $93,110 | 6,080 |
| Minnesota | $83,280 | 8,520 |
| Massachusetts | $83,260 | 15,670 |
| Alaska | $83,090 | 870 |
| District of Columbia | $81,950 | 640 |
| Washington | $79,070 | 12,210 |
| Hawaii | $78,540 | 2,640 |
| Wisconsin | $78,510 | 9,120 |
| New York | $78,460 | 22,630 |
| Montana | $77,930 | 1,810 |
| New Jersey | $77,160 | 9,840 |
| Michigan | $77,030 | 12,830 |
| Connecticut | $73,080 | 4,180 |
| California | $68,390 | 45,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,650 | 13,990 |
| Louisiana | $64,720 | 9,040 |
| Rhode Island | $64,630 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $64,560 | 11,620 |
| Delaware | $64,300 | 1,570 |
| Colorado | $63,610 | 9,970 |
| Maryland | $63,270 | 11,490 |
| Nebraska | $62,880 | 4,240 |
| Kansas | $62,820 | 4,090 |
| North Dakota | $62,670 | 1,650 |
| Ohio | $62,530 | 14,490 |
| Kentucky | $62,370 | 5,500 |
| Missouri | $62,090 | 7,900 |
| New Hampshire | $62,030 | 2,530 |
| Arizona | $61,940 | 12,330 |
| Maine | $61,890 | 2,480 |
| Utah | $61,680 | 6,770 |
| Wyoming | $61,480 | 1,140 |
| Iowa | $61,230 | 6,350 |
| Vermont | $60,550 | 960 |
| Nevada | $60,120 | 5,330 |
| New Mexico | $59,660 | 2,900 |
| Virginia | $59,560 | 13,190 |
| Texas | $58,560 | 42,290 |
| Mississippi | $57,960 | 3,050 |
| Tennessee | $57,730 | 8,810 |
| Idaho | $57,380 | 3,710 |
| Georgia | $56,290 | 7,530 |
| Oklahoma | $54,840 | 7,110 |
| South Carolina | $54,840 | 5,480 |
| Alabama | $53,840 | 7,880 |
| North Carolina | $50,990 | 14,300 |
| South Dakota | $50,790 | 1,800 |
| Florida | $50,540 | 26,730 |
| Arkansas | $49,700 | 3,080 |
| West Virginia | $49,630 | 1,860 |
Plumber & Pipefitter Apprenticeship Overview
The Plumber & Pipefitter trade offers a median salary of $62,970/yr nationally, accessible through a 4-year apprenticeship that pays you while you train. It's one of the clearest earn-while-you-learn propositions in the American labor market.
Looking ahead, Plumber & Pipefitter employment is expected to grow 4.5% by 2034. About 44,000 openings per year — driven heavily by retirements in an aging workforce — keep demand for apprentices high.
Nationally, wages span from $40,670/yr at the 10th percentile to $105,150/yr at the 90th. Geography drives much of this spread — the same trade can pay 50%+ more in high-cost states compared to rural markets.
Prefer Trade School Instead?
Apprenticeships pay from day one, but some people prefer the classroom-first path. Plumber & Pipefitters also come up through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost, and a credential before entering the workforce.
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