EN

Occupation · SOC 47-2152

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

There are 465,840 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $63,800 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
465,840
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$63,800
Median pay a year
Middle half: $50,190–$85,110
42,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +6.8%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 387 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $78,610 · LCA filings 021,040$78,6100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $71,110 · LCA filings 015,690$71,1100
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $103,380 · LCA filings 012,750$103,3800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $61,250 · LCA filings 011,980$61,2500
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $61,300 · LCA filings 010,980$61,3000
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $71,860 · LCA filings 09,420$71,8600
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $63,750 · LCA filings 09,270$63,7500
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $96,760 · LCA filings 09,200$96,7600
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $74,860 · LCA filings 07,150$74,8600
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $101,630 · LCA filings 06,730$101,6300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 3,830 · LCA filings 0$107,5603,8300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 12,750 · LCA filings 0$103,38012,7500
Bellingham, WAEmployment 540 · LCA filings 0$102,7505400
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 6,730 · LCA filings 0$101,6306,7300
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 4,600 · LCA filings 0$101,0104,6000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $72,509 · Level III $90,646 · Level IV $108,784$54,371$72,509$90,646$108,784
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $64,792 · Level III $80,080 · Level IV $95,368$49,504$64,792$80,080$95,368
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $79,310 · Level III $96,262 · Level IV $113,214$62,358$79,310$96,262$113,214
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $52,354 · Level III $62,171 · Level IV $71,989$42,536$52,354$62,171$71,989
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $53,934 · Level III $63,752 · Level IV $73,590$44,096$53,934$63,752$73,590
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $62,462 · Level III $74,963 · Level IV $87,485$49,941$62,462$74,963$87,485
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $59,738 · Level III $70,512 · Level IV $81,266$48,984$59,738$70,512$81,266
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $74,880 · Level III $92,622 · Level IV $110,386$57,117$74,880$92,622$110,386
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $68,370 · Level III $83,512 · Level IV $98,654$53,227$68,370$83,512$98,654
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $74,443 · Level III $91,853 · Level IV $109,283$57,013$74,443$91,853$109,283

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Plumbing and Related Water Supply ServicesCIP 46.05OPT · up to 12 months11OPT · up to 12 months

See Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in every metro area

All 387 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction LaborersElectriciansFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersCarpentersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsPainters, Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Building InspectorsCement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology