Human Resources Managers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $77,060 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 122.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $40,670 | +$43,120 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $48,860 | +$56,730 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $62,970 | +$77,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $81,900 | +$108,060 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $105,150 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $69,940 | +$90,540 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $77,060 (122.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers 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 Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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