# Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

> 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. Includes sprinkler fitters.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters
- SOC code: 47-2152.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $63,800 (10th percentile $44,150, 90th percentile $108,420)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.8%
- Openings a year: 42,000
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 20 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 3 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 81/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 76/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 75/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 74/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 74/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 73/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 72/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Speaking

## Knowledge

Building and Construction, Mechanical, Design, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, Engineering and Technology, Public Safety and Security, Physics, English Language

## Also called

Aircraft Hydraulic Equipment Mechanic, Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic, Aircraft Plumbing Mechanic, Commercial Plumber, Corrosion Control Fitter, Diesel Engine Pipefitter, Drain Cleaner, Drain Technician, Dry Docks Utility Systems Repair Operator, Equipment Service Associate (ESA)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4605) (CIP 4605, 165 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | $94,410 | $93,701 | not reported |
| [New England Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-england-institute-of-technology-1845) | Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | $49,923 | $54,989 | $12,000 |

## Related careers

- [Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-pipelayers-plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters): $42,360 median pay
- [Boilermakers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/boilermakers): $76,410 median pay
- [Pipelayers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/pipelayers): $49,000 median pay
- [Maintenance and Repair Workers, General](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/maintenance-and-repair-workers-general): $49,590 median pay
- [Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/septic-tank-servicers-and-sewer-pipe-cleaners): $49,880 median pay
- [Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/control-and-valve-installers-and-repairers-except-mechanical-door): $74,340 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.