Family Medicine Physicians vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Family Medicine Physicians professionals earn $175,410 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 278.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Family Medicine Physicians$81,330 – N/A
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Family Medicine Physicians | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,330 | $40,670 | +$40,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $167,580 | $48,860 | +$118,720 |
| Median (50th) | $238,380 | $62,970 | +$175,410 |
| 75th Percentile | N/A | $81,900 | N/A |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $105,150 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $256,830 | $69,940 | +$186,890 |
Employment Numbers
Family Medicine Physicians
107,950
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Family Medicine Physicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $236,160 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | $235,230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $234,800 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $234,060 |
| Tucson, AZ | $225,970 |
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: Family Medicine Physicians or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Family Medicine Physicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $175,410 (278.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Family Medicine Physicians?
Family Medicine Physicians salaries range from $81,330 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $238,380.
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 Family Medicine Physicians and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,950 Family Medicine Physicians 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 Family Medicine Physicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Family Medicine Physicians has a median salary of $238,380 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