Financial Analysts vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $38,380 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 60.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $40,670 | +$21,740 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $48,860 | +$29,440 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $62,970 | +$38,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $81,900 | +$50,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $105,150 | +$75,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $69,940 | +$46,550 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
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: Financial Analysts or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,380 (60.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
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 Financial Analysts and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts 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 Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 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