Civil Engineers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $36,620 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 58.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $40,670 | +$25,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $48,860 | +$29,930 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $62,970 | +$36,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $81,900 | +$46,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $105,150 | +$55,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $69,940 | +$37,110 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,620 (58.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers 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 Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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