SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$62,970

Median annual salary

455,940 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $630 more per year than Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals — that's 1.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,150

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$40,670+$7,290
25th Percentile$55,220$48,860+$6,360
Median (50th)$62,340$62,970$-630
75th Percentile$73,160$81,900$-8,740
90th Percentile$80,510$105,150$-24,640
Mean (Average)$64,150$69,940$-5,790

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

CityMedian
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: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $630 (1.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 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