Accountants and Auditors vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $18,710 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 29.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $40,670 | +$12,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $48,860 | +$15,800 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $62,970 | +$18,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $81,900 | +$24,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $105,150 | +$36,270 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $69,940 | +$23,580 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,710 (29.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS