Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $30,630 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 48.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$40,670$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $66,030 | $-25,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $78,610 | $-29,750 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $93,600 | $-30,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $107,960 | $-26,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $135,320 | $-30,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $98,430 | $-28,490 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,630 (48.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has a median salary of $62,970 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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