Pipefitter vs Construction Manager
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Pipefitter
Plumbing · 5yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$67,249
Salary Range$56,372 – $84,056
5yr Growth+11%
Trade Pay ScoreC (68/100)
Total Employment165,255
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Construction Manager
Management · 0yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$112,501
Salary Range$90,238 – $141,603
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (82/100)
Total Employment195,083
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Pipefitter | Construction Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,056 | $133,724 | -$49,668 |
| New York, NY | $83,369 | $138,742 | -$55,373 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $80,739 | $124,384 | -$43,645 |
| Boston, MA | $77,572 | $129,499 | -$51,927 |
| Chicago, IL | $73,953 | $121,490 | -$47,537 |
| Portland, OR | $73,657 | $129,318 | -$55,661 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,553 | $141,603 | -$68,050 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,346 | $134,046 | -$60,700 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $72,416 | $124,593 | -$52,177 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,493 | $105,962 | -$36,469 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,257 | $119,631 | -$50,374 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,089 | $103,583 | -$34,494 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,974 | $103,128 | -$36,154 |
| Houston, TX | $66,737 | $110,350 | -$43,613 |
| Kansas City, MO | $66,082 | $110,643 | -$44,561 |
| Denver, CO | $65,691 | $121,535 | -$55,844 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,530 | $110,487 | -$44,957 |
| San Antonio, TX | $63,370 | $90,238 | -$26,868 |
| Detroit, MI | $62,517 | $103,783 | -$41,266 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,950 | $111,663 | -$49,713 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,481 | $102,530 | -$41,049 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $61,462 | $91,823 | -$30,361 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,909 | $105,135 | -$44,226 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,805 | $102,831 | -$42,026 |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,720 | $93,203 | -$32,483 |
| Nashville, TN | $59,996 | $107,407 | -$47,411 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,255 | $100,828 | -$41,573 |
| Miami, FL | $58,979 | $94,454 | -$35,475 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,134 | $109,848 | -$51,714 |
| Tampa, FL | $56,372 | $98,578 | -$42,206 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pipefitters or Construction Managers make more money?
Construction Managers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $112,501 compared to $67,249 — a difference of $45,252 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Pipefitter or Construction Manager?
Construction Manager has stronger 5-year wage growth at 12% vs 11%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Pipefitter requires 5 years of apprenticeship, while Construction Manager requires 0 years.
Pipefitter salary by city →
Construction Manager salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
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