Pipefitter careers
Pipefitters install and maintain piping systems that carry liquids and gases in industrial and commercial settings.
What does a pipefitter do?
Pipefitters install and repair piping that carries liquids or gases, often for commercial or industrial systems.
Work can be at construction sites, plants, and occupied facilities. Drawings, pipe materials, and the system's purpose affect each job.
Pipefitter career snapshot
- U.S. median annual pay
- $63,800 (May 2025)
- Projected U.S. employment change
- +7% (2025–35)
- Typical training path
- 4–5 yr apprenticeship
These national figures are context, not a guarantee of local pay or job availability. BLS reports plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters together in the linked profile; the figures are not pipefitter-only. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
How to get started
Compare instruction in reading piping plans, layout, joining methods, testing, and supervised installation. Check local entry and licensing requirements.
Compare any program or apprenticeship with the BLS occupational profile and with current local employer requirements. Training routes can differ by location and employer.
Questions to ask before choosing training
- Which piping systems and joining methods are covered?
- How much supervised layout and installation practice is included?
Find a real next step
Search nearby schools and apprenticeship sponsors, or browse current Pipefitter jobs. The map identifies institutions and registered sponsors; it does not confirm that a school teaches pipefitter or that a sponsor has an open position. Review each listing directly.