Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $62,970 more per year than Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $62,970 (null% 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 Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Salary data for Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers is not currently available.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and N/A Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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 Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $0. 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