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Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Median Salary
$68,560
Average (Mean)
$71,093
Employed Nationwide
465,820
VS

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Median Salary
$70,348
Average (Mean)
$70,015
Employed Nationwide
67,530
Structural Iron and Steel Workers earns $1,788 more (2.6%)
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and S…Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $68,560$68,560Structural Iron and Steel WorkersStructural Iron and Steel Wo…Structural Iron and Steel Workers: $70,348$70,348

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $68,560 $70,348
Average (Mean) Salary $71,093 $70,015
Total Employment 465,820 67,530
States with Higher Pay 27 23

Salary by State: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pays more in 27 states; Structural Iron and Steel Workers pays more in 23.

State Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Structural Iron and Steel Workers Difference
Alabama $58,670
$56,640
+$2,030
Alaska $93,920
$76,970
+$16,950
Arizona $62,070
$59,390
+$2,680
Arkansas $48,660
$45,510
+$3,150
California $72,830
$76,370
$-3,540
Colorado $63,240
$58,830
+$4,410
Connecticut $77,280
$62,400
+$14,880
Delaware $64,720
$59,820
+$4,900
District of Columbia $101,020
$61,240
+$39,780
Florida $52,910
$55,700
$-2,790
Georgia $57,200
$48,090
+$9,110
Hawaii $78,060
$99,860
$-21,800
Idaho $52,380
$72,750
$-20,370
Illinois $99,950
$101,850
$-1,900
Indiana $76,320
$70,130
+$6,190
Iowa $63,890
$77,400
$-13,510
Kansas $65,220
$58,560
+$6,660
Kentucky $64,160
$64,060
+$100
Louisiana $63,680
$68,830
$-5,150
Maine $64,000
$61,750
+$2,250
Maryland $65,400
$71,730
$-6,330
Massachusetts $93,880
$120,840
$-26,960
Michigan $80,190
$62,830
+$17,360
Minnesota $94,410
$95,320
$-910
Mississippi $55,480
$50,690
+$4,790
Missouri $66,790
$77,410
$-10,620
Montana $79,960
$67,390
+$12,570
Nebraska $60,970
$65,470
$-4,500
Nevada $61,610
$62,510
$-900
New Hampshire $66,810
$59,920
+$6,890
New Jersey $78,240
$113,220
$-34,980
New York $77,490
$92,610
$-15,120
North Carolina $57,080
$48,740
+$8,340
North Dakota $63,560
$82,120
$-18,560
Ohio $63,330
$74,710
$-11,380
Oklahoma $57,970
$47,660
+$10,310
Oregon $97,050
$96,050
+$1,000
Pennsylvania $68,080
$82,970
$-14,890
Rhode Island $76,470
$98,320
$-21,850
South Carolina $53,940
$50,750
+$3,190
South Dakota $51,620
$57,050
$-5,430
Tennessee $58,600
$56,750
+$1,850
Texas $59,840
$52,240
+$7,600
Utah $61,900
$58,250
+$3,650
Vermont $62,170
$55,640
+$6,530
Virginia $60,470
$60,260
+$210
Washington $81,030
$107,660
$-26,630
West Virginia $56,980
$71,850
$-14,870
Wisconsin $81,210
$92,820
$-11,610
Wyoming $62,410
$47,480
+$14,930

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
On average across all states, a Structural Iron and Steel Workers earns more than a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. The national median salary difference is $1,788 (2.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earn more than a Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
A Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns a higher median salary than a Structural Iron and Steel Workers in 27 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Structural Iron and Steel Workers pays more in 23 states.
What is the median salary for a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
The national median salary for a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $68,560 per year, compared to $70,348 for a Structural Iron and Steel Workers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
There are more people employed as Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. BLS reports approximately 465,820 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 67,530 Structural Iron and Steel Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
Both Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Structural Iron and Steel Workers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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