SalaryByCity

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: 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

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

$51,000

Median annual salary

424,040 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $11,970 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 23.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.

Salary Range Comparison

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$105,150

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentilePlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersDifference
10th Percentile$40,670$38,130+$2,540
25th Percentile$48,860$45,580+$3,280
Median (50th)$62,970$51,000+$11,970
75th Percentile$81,900$61,610+$20,290
90th Percentile$105,150$75,850+$29,300
Mean (Average)$69,940$55,100+$14,840

Employment Numbers

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

employed nationwide

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

424,040

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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

CityMedian
Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT$69,120
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$67,560
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$64,510
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$63,890
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,800

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,970 (23.5% 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries range from $38,130 (10th percentile) to $75,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 424,040 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earns $51,000. 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