Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Web Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Web Developers professionals earn $27,960 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 44.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$40,670$162,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $48,560 | $-7,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $63,140 | $-14,280 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $90,930 | $-27,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $124,300 | $-42,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $162,870 | $-57,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $98,790 | $-28,850 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
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 Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Web Developers?
Web Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,960 (44.4% 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 Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers 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 Web Developers earns $90,930. 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