Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Median annual salary
1,072,540 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn $1,610 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 2.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $47,330 | $-6,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $57,800 | $-8,940 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $64,580 | $-1,610 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $83,010 | $-1,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $104,670 | +$480 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $73,700 | $-3,760 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
1,072,540
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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $103,640 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,640 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $99,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS