Engineers, All Other vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $54,780 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 87.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Engineers, All Other earns $183,510 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Engineers, All Other | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,840 | $40,670 | +$22,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,750 | $48,860 | +$36,890 |
| Median (50th) | $117,750 | $62,970 | +$54,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,670 | $81,900 | +$70,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,510 | $105,150 | +$78,360 |
| Mean (Average) | $121,720 | $69,940 | +$51,780 |
Employment Numbers
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
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: Engineers, All Other or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,780 (87.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
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 Engineers, All Other and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 150,750 Engineers, All Other 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 Engineers, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Engineers, All Other has a median salary of $117,750 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