SalaryByCity

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$62,970

Median annual salary

455,940 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $39,640 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 63.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$40,670$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentilePlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$40,670$60,690$-20,020
25th Percentile$48,860$79,520$-30,660
Median (50th)$62,970$102,610$-39,640
75th Percentile$81,900$131,870$-49,970
90th Percentile$105,150$166,960$-61,810
Mean (Average)$69,940$110,260$-40,320

Employment Numbers

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

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

Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,640 (63.0% 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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