SalaryByCity

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$49,670

Median annual salary

688,840 employed nationally

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$62,970

Median annual salary

455,940 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $13,300 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 26.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Salary Range Comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$33,660$105,150

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersDifference
10th Percentile$33,660$40,670$-7,010
25th Percentile$38,140$48,860$-10,720
Median (50th)$49,670$62,970$-13,300
75th Percentile$65,660$81,900$-16,240
90th Percentile$80,850$105,150$-24,300
Mean (Average)$55,260$69,940$-14,680

Employment Numbers

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

688,840

employed nationwide

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$77,260
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$74,590
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$63,590
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$62,970

Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

CityMedian
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: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,300 (26.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 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