Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: 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 $24,500 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 63.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $26,240 | +$14,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $31,310 | +$17,550 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $38,470 | +$24,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $51,930 | +$29,970 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $63,460 | +$41,690 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $44,930 | +$25,010 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,500 (63.7% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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