Financial Examiners 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 Examiners professionals earn $27,430 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 43.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Examiners earns $171,540 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Examiners$53,420 – $171,540
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$171,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Examiners | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $53,420 | $40,670 | +$12,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,800 | $48,860 | +$17,940 |
| Median (50th) | $90,400 | $62,970 | +$27,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,210 | $81,900 | +$45,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,540 | $105,150 | +$66,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,650 | $69,940 | +$33,710 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Examiners
62,830
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Examiners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $131,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,450 |
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 Examiners or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Financial Examiners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,430 (43.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners salaries range from $53,420 (10th percentile) to $171,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,400.
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 Examiners and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 62,830 Financial Examiners 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 Examiners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Examiners has a median salary of $90,400 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